Who has successfully changed their picking technique ........

lkmuller · #1 12-27-2011, 03:03 AM

and actually gotten better at it than before the change? I'm practicing what I percieve to be the "Benson" technique, or what some call the "Rodney Jones" technique, and although I can get through some scales now, I can't imagine becoming as proficient at it as I am with my old way of picking.

It's only been a week, lol, but I'm looking for some light at the end of the tunnel. Do I actually have a shot at this? Has anyone else successfully changed, and how long did it take?

Thanks.

brwnhornet59 · #2 12-27-2011, 03:51 AM

Sheryl Bailey talks about her switch to Benson picking and how her playing has evolved to the next level.

A week is not enough time to be able to tell anything. They say that in order to establish a new habit, 21 days is the norm.

I already pick close to the Benson style, so when I tried it, I did not find it that uncomfortable. But I also pick differently depending on the style. I hybrid pick, some sweeping, some slurring some hammer on or off's, but mostly alternate.

AlsoRan · #3 12-27-2011, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lkmuller

and actually gotten better at it than before the change? I'm practicing what I percieve to be the "Benson" technique, or what some call the "Rodney Jones" technique, and although I can get through some scales now, I can't imagine becoming as proficient at it as I am with my old way of picking.

It's only been a week, lol, but I'm looking for some light at the end of the tunnel. Do I actually have a shot at this? Has anyone else successfully changed, and how long did it take?

Thanks.

I am noticing more and more guitarists that use this technique, not only in Jazz, but also in Blues and Rock.

For example...
Tutu Jones

Sandor · #4 12-27-2011, 10:24 AM

It kinda think it's funny that people try to pick like benson, when he says he wishes he picked differently lol. Maybe he is just being humble though.

I started out playing just sorta generic wrist, alternate picking i guess. I didn't really think about it much for a long time. Then for about a year I worked on Bruno style picking. There was definitely an improvement, but I think it had more to do with the fact that I was practicing more effectively. After realizing that there were certain situations where that technique does not work, I now practice several techniques. Bruno tech, alt with elbow, and alt with wrist. I think if I had just stuck with my original picking method, but practiced better, I would have made more progress, but I'm pretty happy with how things are shaping up right now.

So based on my experience with multiple picking styles, I think most people can adapt to different things if they put enough work in. Give it a another month or so and see how you progress.

lkmuller · #5 12-27-2011, 11:07 AM

Thanks for the replies guys. I will give it some time, actually whatever time it takes.

Sphere · #6 12-27-2011, 03:32 PM

I changed my picking technique, but not to a Benson style. Don't fool yourself, it's a lot of hard, detailed work. But if you're dissatisfied with your current technique, it's worth it.

setemupjoe · #7 12-27-2011, 03:43 PM

For me it was like starting all over from scratch. It took me a long time to get my technique back to the level I was before but when it did it was a lot more solid and dependable. I hate to say it but I went a good 6 months to a year until I felt I was at a good point. It's definitely a commitment but for me at least it was well worth it. I have heard others say it only took them 3 months to get proficient at this so I guess it's different for everybody. Just stick at it.

merritt stone · #8 12-27-2011, 08:19 PM

I used economy for the first 2 1/2 years of my playing, and I used three fingers to hold the pick. Then I got Guthrie's books, got serious about guitar and can now alt. pick like a champ and hold a pick the "right" way.

TruthHertz · #9 12-27-2011, 08:35 PM

I know a guy that went from pick to fingers. The better part of a year was spent in a committed transition. It took a long time but one day on the bandstand, he put down the pick, literally and has not used it since. It takes time; it's a process. Only you will know what it takes.
David

lkmuller · #10 12-28-2011, 01:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janet565

Thanks for the replies guys. I will give it some time, actually whatever time it takes.

SPAM

TruthHertz · #11 12-28-2011, 05:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janet565

Thanks for the replies guys. I will give it some time, actually whatever time it takes.

Clever and tricky! SPAM masquerading as member response. World Wide Gaming Exchange invisible links. Yikes
David

bobby d · #12 12-29-2011, 08:10 PM

Quote:

I'm looking for some light at the end of the tunnel

When I made my effort at the Benson technique I was feeling carpel tunnel! Maybe I was trying to hard and applying too much pressure between my thumb and 1st finger.

I can at least say I've gone from alternate picking to hybrid picking and finger picking, but I put years into each. So, instead of changing, I've added each.

Long ago I used huge triangle picks. Later on I used small fender jazz picks exclusively. For the last 15 years or so it's been the red dunlop jazz III picks.

I've also tried thumb pick and fingers, and had some results, but didn't have enough interest to keep working at it. I like the idea, but they're too stiff when switching to alternate picking.

lkmuller · #13 12-29-2011, 09:15 PM

I use a Fender 351 Thin but pick with the rounded end. Been doing that for the last 30 years, probably. Trying the Benson technique with the pointed end now and it seems totally foreign, lol. I'm gonna get this, hopefully in THIS lifetime, lol. There's a great picture of Sheryl Bailey's right hand and how she holds the pick on her facebook page. She absolutely smokes, so there must be something to it.

JakeAcci · #14 12-29-2011, 09:33 PM

I've changed my pick technique several times, never to Benson-style though. I don't know how successful I've ever been, but I've certainly learned a lot of interesting things.

GreyJazz90 · #15 12-30-2011, 03:20 PM

I actually changed out of an anchored style of picking similar to the Benson style. Now I do floating with wrist sometimes resting lightly on the bridge. Also I economy pick mostly everything and do a mix of pick/legato. All pick is too staccato sounding for my tastes.

lkmuller · #16 01-01-2012, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by setemupjoe

For me it was like starting all over from scratch. It took me a long time to get my technique back to the level I was before but when it did it was a lot more solid and dependable. I hate to say it but I went a good 6 months to a year until I felt I was at a good point. It's definitely a commitment but for me at least it was well worth it. I have heard others say it only took them 3 months to get proficient at this so I guess it's different for everybody. Just stick at it.

I've seen your video blog and it's really helped. Proof is in the pudding, and if it takes me 6 months to get even close to your level then it's worth it to me. Thanks for the advice, greatly appreciated.

jazzgtrl4 · #17 01-04-2012, 07:01 PM

i switched from strict alt. to economy. i started with Jimmy Brunos book and used floating elbow. then i took a lesson with Isaac Darche made another switch to wrist only economy. took along time, i still work at it. actually i work on total relaxation while playing and not tense up.