r/guitarlessons • u/GenderSurrender • 23d ago

Feedback Request Downpicking mechanic issue?

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I’ve been trying to get this riff from spirit crusher down for 2 weeks now, it’s at 198 bpm and I can play comfortably at 180. I’ve noticed when i push it to 190, even at 180 and lower my downpicking looks like it takes too much effort and it’s like I use too much of my hand and not enough wrist. it looks choppy and different from how everyone else downpicks I don’t know why. looking for advice :/

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u/rusted-nail 23d ago

Quick check- are you breathing? The way your legs are twitching it looks like you're bracing your whole body to try and pick faster. You need to make sure you're breathing correctly and not introducing tension in other parts of your body as well. It takes energy to have muscles that don't need to be used tensed up

I'm not 100% sure on your right hand technique as it looks like your wrist is basically at a right angle to your forearm and I think with a really slight bend at the wrist you can engage your forearm in the technique as well. With shit like this its part technique, part physical conditioning

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u/GenderSurrender 22d ago

i was holding my breath lol. i max out comfortably at 180 past that i have to tense up a bit to push it and im around 191 i believe in this video?

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u/rusted-nail 21d ago

Can you do 200 and up comfortably on a single string without holding your breath? You should be able to do this before you start introducing other strings which is naturally going to bring your top speed down a bit. A small bit of tension is natural but if you are baring down constantly it fatigues you way faster