Gypsy picking, what is it?

[S_R_S5]

Is gypsy picking the same as economy picking? Whats the difference if any?
Is it useful?

[4thstuning]

IMO, it's the optimal way to pick a gypsy style guitar. It really brings out its inherent tonal qualities.

Gypsy picking is not economy picking. Gypsy picking can be summarized as follows (there are always exceptions of course):

Rest strokes - the pick rests on the adjacent string after a stroke

Alternating strokes on single strings

String changes lead with down strokes - a major emphasis of the style. This is employed even if arpeggiating from hi note to low (exceptions noted again)

Look at the right hands of Stochelo, Bireli, Romane and you can see this for yourself.

Economy picking typically doesn't employ the rest stroke. Alternate picking on single strings. String changes: down strokes when going to a higher pitch string and upstrokes for a lower pitch string. Overall a combination of alternate picking and sweep picking.

Gypsy picking doesn't seem to have any benefits on electric guitar as the rest strokes don't aid the sound at all in my experience. The great Bireli seems to be using economy picking when he plays electric.

[Patrick Brown]

I remember the term 'glissando' picking being tossed around. A synonym for one of the above? Even if the two are different, there seems to be a fair commonality. If you're playing Celtic reels, jigs, etc. on a mandolin or tenor banjo, the common attributes between the two, however different, work well. Since there aren't rest strokes commonly in that music, I guess it'd be economy picking. It's a Jazz Guitar Forum, I know.

[mr. beaumont]

Originally Posted by Patrick Brown

I remember the term 'glissando' picking being tossed around. A synonym for one of the above? .

Not really--4ths nailed it.

Just to reiterate, it really has no play on regular electric guitar playing...It's a little weird to get used to, but it is really the optimal way to get sound out of a gypsy jazz style guitar.

[ES125er]

Originally Posted by 4thstuning

IMO, it's the optimal way to pick a gypsy style guitar. It really brings out its inherent tonal qualities.

I would go as far as saying that it is the optimal way to flat pick any acoustic guitar if you really want to bring out its inherent tonal qualities... or be heard among other instruments.

I also think it is the traditional technique used for most other stringed instruments that are played with a plectrum. The oud, for example:

YouTube Video

(random video, but see the downstrokes, the angled wrist, etc)

Somehow guitar players seem to have forgotten this traditional knowledge, though. I personally use this technique (to the extent of my modest abilities) on all my acoustic guitars with great benefits: tone, volume, articulation, dynamics... But I do agree that its interest is more limited on an electric guitar.

[Patrick Brown]

Great video. I love the oud. I find the technique to be really simple, because it's the path of least resistance, and comes kind of naturally. You literally fall into notes on the next string.

[4thstuning]

Originally Posted by ES125er

Somehow guitar players seem to have forgotten this traditional knowledge, though. I personally use this technique (to the extent of my modest abilities) on all my acoustic guitars with great benefits: tone, volume, articulation, dynamics... But I do agree that its interest is more limited on an electric guitar.

I've tried gypsy picking on my flat top and while there is some benefit, there are also drawbacks:

- it's too easy to overdrive the top.

- economy picking is easier to learn and more efficient going from high pitch to low pitch strings. Gypsy picking uses mostly all downstrokes for this which is difficult to do.

- gypsy picking doesn't sound good on electric instruments IMO

All that said, I love the gypsy stylists and their way on their instruments is the best.

BTW, my favorite gypsy DVD is Romane in concert with Stochelo - beautiful playing and very modern too. There are closeups of their right hands and their technique is very clear.