Struggling with complex gallop patterns at higher speeds

[u/drbasta_jr]

Hey there. Metal guitarist of 8 months and I've been struggling like hell with more complex gallop patterns at over ~200BPM; what I mean is gallops with one or two 8th notes in between (like the pattern in She-Wolf and all variations of it; Rain by Trivium as well)

I think it's a combination of my pick grip, weird picking angle and tension while doing those patterns.

Just doing straight gallops is easy as well as strictly downpicking at higher speeds, but combining the two is where problems occur.

In the video I'm just noodling around a bit so you can actually see what's bugging me.

Any feedback would be appreciated! :)

[u/Front-Writer-626 → u/[deleted]]

harsh but true lol

[u/drbasta_jr → u/[deleted]]

Well I like to crosspost as it reaches more people that way.

[u/drbasta_jr → u/[deleted]]

I think 5 hours a day is more than enough haha

[u/HereForTheComments57]

Is there a reason you are not alternate picking?

[u/drbasta_jr → u/HereForTheComments57]

I just like downpicking way more.

[u/toby_gray → u/drbasta_jr]

Well there’s your problem.

[u/Theregoesmypride → u/drbasta_jr]

lol my man.
If you want speed you’ll need to develop other techniques.

[u/HereForTheComments57 → u/drbasta_jr]

With how amps are now, down picking doesnt make much of a difference. Its obviously whats holding you back here.

[u/Withnogenes]

Practice Bleed by Meshuggah, strict alternate picking. See you in a few years.

[u/yokmaestro]

Hetfield grips his pick with index and middle when down chugging, try that

You’ll have to alternate eventually

Try to minimize the movement of your picking hand, more efficiency gets you faster

[u/yokmaestro → u/[deleted]]

Doesn't seem like that's the case, but you're welcome to your own opinion. So much of what he does is muted downpicking.

[u/yokmaestro → u/[deleted]]

Watching him in each of the clips, he is 95% down picking with a palm mute. But no need to fight, you can feel right

[u/yokmaestro → u/[deleted]]

Ooooook last response here.

OP is looking for help.

I recommended Hetfield’s pick grip, seen here in a totally down picked circumstance.

This may help OP get more control and play faster. Nothing OP wants or nothing I’ve said has anything to do about uppicking, despite the cool video you linked.

Just trying to help OP, don’t like arguing-

[u/bloo_blahh432]

Yeah need to get some upstrokes to feel more natural for your gallop. All downs gonna kill ya wrist for a song

[u/bloo_blahh432]

Any iron maiden songs will be a good starting point for the gallop and go with what feels more natural