Thanks for learning how to combine alternate and economy picking with me! Grab the practice tracks and TAB on my Patreon page to master this FAST: www.patreon.com/posts/75669460?
@@CreepingDeath_ The man is an otherworldly talent.. his skill and feel for the instrument is right up there with Eddie imo, made me fall in love with guitar all over again.
As far as my natural/confortable way to pick goes, I find it more easier to economy pick from high strings to low strings (Up-down-up-Up-down-up-Up-...) than to go down the strings. Luckily enough, my dear Uncle Ben has just given a good lick to work the Down-up-down-Down-up-down-Down-... way !!! Thanks a lot !
I listen to Yngwie's " Now your ships are burned" or "I am Viking solo, Soldier without faith intro... to me it's the definitive example of economy picking... just smoldering... that level of fluidity... I haven't heard anyone replicate quite like that.
I am a true economy picker who is working on strict alternate... It is a hard thing to do...I feel that economy gives me the most freedom to pick whatever I want... but Alt has that tick/tock machine sound. Some patterns work out to be Alternate & Economy just because they do.... Great lesson. Thanks
Uncle Ben! Big fan. You asked for suggestions. We all learn lots of scales in various positions. BUT, one thing I feel is lacking in my own playing is techniques to link / stitch those patterns together between different positions all over the fret board. If you had any gnarly wisdom to share in that department, I would be very grateful! Thank you 🙏
This exact topic has been on my mind lately. Over the past decade, during my "noodling hobby" period, whenever I'd pick up the guitar I would only use economy picking when playing scales. And by scales I mean the major and minor pentatonic... so the absolute minimum to make the word "scales" correct and applicable. But I've recently been much more serious about playing and getting better at guitar - and to do so, it seems being able to fluently move between economy and alternate picking will be a big part of that journey. Thanks Uncle Ben!
About time you had Brandon featuring with Marty. They are too similar! Good job Also, during a live stream, I told Marty I loved his signature Kelly Jackson did for him. He said watch this space, something is coming!
I learned the solo from 'How Very Dead' recently, but didn't know how to get it up to speed. Thank you uncle Ben! You're always providing the best content.
I quite accidentally noticed a major flaw in my picking. Coincidentally, a video covering that came up in my recommended list. And it was from this TH-cam channel. Now this one coming out today. It must be a sign! 😆
If you get used to doing it both ways (economy picking on the upstroke as well as alternate picking) then you really can feel what you explain about the challenge being the rhythm consistency (as in the accent right on time) with that, so it is helpful to learn it both ways. I got an even better simplification for picking technique: Don't get it stuck in between some other strings.
I’ve been messing with economy picking for awhile now but I feel this method of combining economy & alternate picking like this makes more sense at least for me. Thanks Uncle Ben, I really appreciate these videos….learned a lot from them 🤘
Remember working so hard on strict alternate picking back in the 80s even thought I knew guys like Yngwie utilized a hybrid approach. Watched an instructional video from the insanely talented Frank Gambale and that ended that! Economy + alternate picking is so much more natural for me, don't shred much anymore but the technique is useful at any speed. Great lesson Ben.
Perfect timing! I was having a conversation with a friend yesterday evening regarding your channel / lessons. We started discussing economy / alternate picking so this is great. I'll send him this lesson, thanks' Uncle Ben!! 🤙🎸
I use this technique since I can play scales and I always thought that it is a "bad habit" i picked up cause noone told me how to do it, but as I see there's nothing wrong with it. It is much easier and comfy then the basic alternate picking. It has just more flow for me.
Dude, I love the channel! Long time follower! Amazing content and awesome tips and great work ethics! And hilarious. You deserve millions of subscribers. Thanks a lot
Ben - thank you! I spend my amateur guitar time split between playing metal (lots of directional or economy) on the one hand, bluegrass (diehard alternate) on the other. I've been trying to do directional (economy) picking in both directions and then stumbling around bluegrass crosspicking. In my head, there's got to be a set of principles that would direct me to one technique or the other. This should help significantly.
I like the Yngwie's technique. Using economy picking ascending versus alternate + pull offs to descending patterns. I like to see diagonal patterns in the fretboard haha
Thanks as always Uncle Ben! I've been trying to economy pick, and I'm getting better. Thanks for showing us to pretty much use it on down strokes. Like you've shown, doing it on upstrokes, throws it all off.
Uncle Ben, "Start every sting on a downstoke." Early on I started doing this while DESCENDING! Yep, down up down on the first string, down up down on the second, then third...all the way through. It was natural for me and easy to get quick tempos. Thought I was weird and went to strict alternate. Now I've seen Syu do the method I started with! I'm back to doing it that way. It works! Seems counterintuitive, but it works.
I need to practice this and full alternate picking, I am really fighting my right hand. At faster speeds I automatically try to economy pick like this, but it isn't perfectly in time or clean. Doing full alternate picking is really hard for me because of that automatic switch to economy that keeps happening in my brain. Part of it is working on my pick slant too
For some reason, I prefer to alternate pick as much as possible, especially in scalar runs. However, I like sweeping, which is pretty much what economy picking is, just on two strings.
the down-stroke rule is such a great way to view licks like this especially cause i am a lazy stubborn bastard who refuses to learn a second pick slant
Awesome video! I just wanted to ask, what about going from the High E string to the B string? Lets say we're playing Down, Up, Down on the high E, should we make that last down and Up so we can easier jump to the B or should keep it a Down and jump to the B string with another Down?
Good question. The solution a lot of players would do here is down up hammer/pull on the high e, then go to the b. Or play the high e as up down up, which would make it easier to get to the B starting on a downstroke.
Excellent video! Kiko Loureiro is another legend that combines alternate and sweep picking very well. Just listen to "Enfermo", from his first solo album, "No gravity"...
Does that pick deteriorate or flake at all? I had a carbon fiber pick at one point that sounded amazing but it would flake and my fingers would turn grey after using it
It’s weird to me that there are people who struggle with this single escape style playing. It comes naturally to me, whereas I had to work a lot harder to develop a pure alternate picking technique.
No metal picks!!! 😮💨 EVH swore till his dying day that it was the metal picks (and not the two pack-a-day habit) that gave him tongue and throat cancer. I do wish he hadn't smoked though...
No one plays like Marty Friedman..I could never play like that..try holding your hand and wrist that way just playing some simple chords.for a few minutes..it's painful. Guys a frigging legend.. Also..I'm old enough to have seen Megadeth w him a few times.. Clash if the Titans being the most memorable..he was awesome..but a hunk? You may be the only human who's ever said that about him..Chuck Schuldiner and Tom Araya..ok..but Marty Friedman? Not so much dude..aside from that..he's the only guitarist that really complimented and kept up with Dave imho...
Mmm I don’t know about that. I’ve known Emil for years and years now. He’s played all over with Daath, Chimaera, Tony Macalpine, Colonel Bruce Hampton, and many others, plus his amazing solo career he just started. He’s done very well for himself. He’s never been interested in playing the game of social media, so he doesn’t always show off everything he’s doing. Incredible player and human who deserves the world.
Thanks for learning how to combine alternate and economy picking with me! Grab the practice tracks and TAB on my Patreon page to master this FAST: www.patreon.com/posts/75669460?
i don't see a link for that brass pick you guys made.
I know im supposed to use both but its easier to alternate pick it :\
Uncle Ben, would you please teach "No More Tears" Ozzy/Wylde the RIGHT WAY?
👍🏻
I’m pretty good at my combos but definitely appreciate introducing new ideas!! Forever evolving yo bro!!
Always enjoy seeing Brandon Ellis getting his due from someone as awesome as Uncle Ben
Brandon is an absolute monster
@@CreepingDeath_ The man is an otherworldly talent.. his skill and feel for the instrument is right up there with Eddie imo, made me fall in love with guitar all over again.
I really enjoy the new “step dad speed” format great video as always uncle
Best Uncle Ever
As far as my natural/confortable way to pick goes, I find it more easier to economy pick from high strings to low strings (Up-down-up-Up-down-up-Up-...) than to go down the strings. Luckily enough, my dear Uncle Ben has just given a good lick to work the Down-up-down-Down-up-down-Down-... way !!! Thanks a lot !
I listen to Yngwie's " Now your ships are burned" or "I am Viking solo, Soldier without faith intro... to me it's the definitive example of economy picking... just smoldering...
that level of fluidity... I haven't heard anyone replicate quite like that.
Yng's first two albums were game changers.
@@jfo3000 I would also include Trilogy... plus his work with Steeler and Alcatrazz
This is how you unveil a guitar technique. Thanks for this video, a big inspiration for me who have a poor alternate picking technique
I am a true economy picker who is working on strict alternate... It is a hard thing to do...I feel that economy gives me the most freedom to pick whatever I want... but Alt has that tick/tock machine sound. Some patterns work out to be Alternate & Economy just because they do.... Great lesson. Thanks
Marty Friedman, Brandon Ellis, and Psycho Goreman in one video? Hunk overload indeed.
Uncle Ben! Big fan. You asked for suggestions. We all learn lots of scales in various positions. BUT, one thing I feel is lacking in my own playing is techniques to link / stitch those patterns together between different positions all over the fret board. If you had any gnarly wisdom to share in that department, I would be very grateful! Thank you 🙏
This exact topic has been on my mind lately. Over the past decade, during my "noodling hobby" period, whenever I'd pick up the guitar I would only use economy picking when playing scales. And by scales I mean the major and minor pentatonic... so the absolute minimum to make the word "scales" correct and applicable. But I've recently been much more serious about playing and getting better at guitar - and to do so, it seems being able to fluently move between economy and alternate picking will be a big part of that journey. Thanks Uncle Ben!
This is definitely going to help with my playing,
thank you
About time you had Brandon featuring with Marty. They are too similar! Good job
Also, during a live stream, I told Marty I loved his signature Kelly Jackson did for him. He said watch this space, something is coming!
I learned the solo from 'How Very Dead' recently, but didn't know how to get it up to speed. Thank you uncle Ben! You're always providing the best content.
I quite accidentally noticed a major flaw in my picking. Coincidentally, a video covering that came up in my recommended list. And it was from this TH-cam channel. Now this one coming out today. It must be a sign! 😆
This an awesome pattern for playing across all modes of all scales and also it going back down not just up. Thanks uncle Ben.
If you get used to doing it both ways (economy picking on the upstroke as well as alternate picking) then you really can feel what you explain about the challenge being the rhythm consistency (as in the accent right on time) with that, so it is helpful to learn it both ways. I got an even better simplification for picking technique: Don't get it stuck in between some other strings.
That clarifies a lot why I was struggling for a long time. Every time I tried to go up and up the mess was installed. Thanks a lot
for a step dad you have some excellent lessons!! great concepts here. asymmetric approach I suppose is what this is.
as always love this great video thanks Ben. Your Jackson guitar looks GREAT.
I’ve been messing with economy picking for awhile now but I feel this method of combining economy & alternate picking like this makes more sense at least for me. Thanks Uncle Ben, I really appreciate these videos….learned a lot from them 🤘
Remember working so hard on strict alternate picking back in the 80s even thought I knew guys like Yngwie utilized a hybrid approach. Watched an instructional video from the insanely talented Frank Gambale and that ended that! Economy + alternate picking is so much more natural for me, don't shred much anymore but the technique is useful at any speed. Great lesson Ben.
Perfect timing!
I was having a conversation with a friend yesterday evening regarding your channel / lessons.
We started discussing economy / alternate picking so this is great.
I'll send him this lesson, thanks' Uncle Ben!! 🤙🎸
Perfect!
Sos el mejor explicando técnicas de púas!!!
I use this technique since I can play scales and I always thought that it is a "bad habit" i picked up cause noone told me how to do it, but as I see there's nothing wrong with it.
It is much easier and comfy then the basic alternate picking. It has just more flow for me.
Dude, I love the channel! Long time follower! Amazing content and awesome tips and great work ethics! And hilarious. You deserve millions of subscribers. Thanks a lot
Thanks Uncle Ben
Incredible lesson, one of your best IMHO! Keep delivering the goods!
Ben - thank you! I spend my amateur guitar time split between playing metal (lots of directional or economy) on the one hand, bluegrass (diehard alternate) on the other. I've been trying to do directional (economy) picking in both directions and then stumbling around bluegrass crosspicking. In my head, there's got to be a set of principles that would direct me to one technique or the other. This should help significantly.
I like the Yngwie's technique.
Using economy picking ascending versus alternate + pull offs to descending patterns.
I like to see diagonal patterns in the fretboard haha
This was a good one!! Thanks Ben!!!
Thanks as always Uncle Ben! I've been trying to economy pick, and I'm getting better. Thanks for showing us to pretty much use it on down strokes. Like you've shown, doing it on upstrokes, throws it all off.
Uncle Ben, "Start every sting on a downstoke."
Early on I started doing this while DESCENDING!
Yep, down up down on the first string, down up down on the second, then third...all the way through. It was natural for me and easy to get quick tempos. Thought I was weird and went to strict alternate.
Now I've seen Syu do the method I started with! I'm back to doing it that way. It works! Seems counterintuitive, but it works.
Economy Parking? That's value right there
I came across Emil when he was in Chimaira. Guy is so good.
Perfect lesson Uncle Ben
I need to practice this and full alternate picking, I am really fighting my right hand. At faster speeds I automatically try to economy pick like this, but it isn't perfectly in time or clean. Doing full alternate picking is really hard for me because of that automatic switch to economy that keeps happening in my brain. Part of it is working on my pick slant too
Fantastic uncle Ben! Thanks for the helpful lesson. Would definitely dig some more stuff like this since my downward pickslant ain’t going away. :-)
Jackie Vincent is also incredible at combining the two.
I had to learn this over time cause of the loss of use in my right hand but my hand is at 70 per now thank god nerve damage sucks
For some reason, I prefer to alternate pick as much as possible, especially in scalar runs. However, I like sweeping, which is pretty much what economy picking is, just on two strings.
Great lesson! We need a meet the machines on the Jackson.
You sir get a thumbs up and sub for the psycho goreman reference and sweet metal music! Love the channel!
Very nice !!!
Good stuff, Man. Sweet Axe👍
the down-stroke rule is such a great way to view licks like this especially cause i am a lazy stubborn bastard who refuses to learn a second pick slant
My teacher was very strict about staying on the finger tips and alternate picking from the start!!
Most teachers start with pentatonic scales, mine was all about 3 note per string scales! He was working on his master’s degree in music!!
ty uncle ben
Love the Psycho Goreman reference!!!!
Hahaha I love that you caught it!!! Best movie ever.
Is that one of the new Jackson USA Soloist you got there???
You get all the cool stuff!
Yes! It’s amazing, I love it
@@BenEller awesome...
I bought the riviera blue... what a beauty.... flat out muscle car
Ben Eller is the BOOTSY COLLINS OF HIS GENERATION!!! Genius!!!!
This seems to work well for lines that are mostly ascending, but what about lines that mostly descend?
Check out the Patreon bonus video!!
Great insight and lesson Ben but how do you apply that concept to a descending line?
I got that in the Patreon bonus video ;)
What do you do when you’re returning back up the scale?
Enjoyed the Psycho Goreman Joke
Awesome video!
I just wanted to ask, what about going from the High E string to the B string?
Lets say we're playing Down, Up, Down on the high E, should we make that last down and Up so we can easier jump to the B or should keep it a Down and jump to the B string with another Down?
Good question. The solution a lot of players would do here is down up hammer/pull on the high e, then go to the b. Or play the high e as up down up, which would make it easier to get to the B starting on a downstroke.
@@BenEller Thanks for the reply my man, you rock!
Shout out to Django Rhinehardt for the win. 👍🎸
Uncle Bens Cabin !
That’s opening lick sounded like Tony Macalpine ! Christmas Island..
Subbed! I am also old. The answer: Game Gear
Bro, that meme is "Why not both" get with it, you're making us old turds look like.. well.. turds!
Old El Paso girl!!!!
Cross string alternate picking , harrrd, really harrrd to execute peoperly
Learned so much already from ya ..like tons ! Thanks uncle Ben
I like either jazz picks or these new Tortex Flex !! 1.0
My hand is way too big for a tiny Original Jazz pick ..I have an aluminum pick I use sometimes. Get those Rocky George tones and harmonics..
haha the intro cracks me up
And on Marty's birthday! (60, wow)
Excellent video! Kiko Loureiro is another legend that combines alternate and sweep picking very well. Just listen to "Enfermo", from his first solo album, "No gravity"...
Gypsy jazz guys do it this way as well. Down stroke is prominent.
What a hunky boy!!! :3
Widdly widdly widdly!!!
Fuck, Ben, your videos are pure gold!!
Why 'or' when you can 'and' 👍
Siiiiiiick
Siiiiiiick!!!!
Hahaha. Ben, If you are old, what am I? Ready for the grave? hehehe
Oh yes, this is the perfect wankshop for my weekend. Cheers Uncle Ben, you must have read my mind through some weird transatlantic ESP 🧠
Does that pick deteriorate or flake at all? I had a carbon fiber pick at one point that sounded amazing but it would flake and my fingers would turn grey after using it
Nope, not so far!
as someone who's strictly plays alt the two consecutive down picks when changing strings really messing up my brain
It’s weird to me that there are people who struggle with this single escape style playing. It comes naturally to me, whereas I had to work a lot harder to develop a pure alternate picking technique.
I caught that “meow” lololol you crafty SOB lmao
Ben I've been considering economy picking for the last couple of weeks, you're gonna have to pay some rent if you're gonna be in my head like that.
the psycho goreman reference haha
🎉🎉🎉
Great job recognizing your unconscious bias in the intro.
My hammer-on’s and pull-offs are so powerful I can pretty much play without picking..
What did it for me was the Ebow !! And of course obsessing to play like Steve Vai!!!
No metal picks!!! 😮💨 EVH swore till his dying day that it was the metal picks (and not the two pack-a-day habit) that gave him tongue and throat cancer. I do wish he hadn't smoked though...
This stuffl for picking looks like a choclet christmas
No one plays like Marty Friedman..I could never play like that..try holding your hand and wrist that way just playing some simple chords.for a few minutes..it's painful. Guys a frigging legend.. Also..I'm old enough to have seen Megadeth w him a few times.. Clash if the Titans being the most memorable..he was awesome..but a hunk? You may be the only human who's ever said that about him..Chuck Schuldiner and Tom Araya..ok..but Marty Friedman? Not so much dude..aside from that..he's the only guitarist that really complimented and kept up with Dave imho...
Im old 🤣
as a hunky boi myself, im sad you dont care about me.
…. Or do I?????
Привет из России!
Спасибо Бен за урок.
Но вот футболка у вас нехорошая.
That intro tho…
Emil was one of the first to the TH-cam game, but never went anywhere because of his attitude.
Mmm I don’t know about that. I’ve known Emil for years and years now. He’s played all over with Daath, Chimaera, Tony Macalpine, Colonel Bruce Hampton, and many others, plus his amazing solo career he just started. He’s done very well for himself. He’s never been interested in playing the game of social media, so he doesn’t always show off everything he’s doing. Incredible player and human who deserves the world.
Makes me realize that I suck on guitar lol
30 bucks for a pick that im gonna lose in 10 minutes haha.
“Everybody’s favorite ruffly shirt scale, B harmonic minor…”. I’m sorry, but that’s some funny stuff and I know funny.
Alex Hutchings, one of the greatest players in the world does directional picking as well
Keep playing those sweet, sweet Jackson's.... yummy yummy for the fingers
15 seconds in and we get a Psycho Goreman exercise. Excellent work Uncle Ben. Frig off. Frig you. 🤌
Hahahaha I’m so glad you caught that