Author Topic: Speed picking and arm muscles (Read 5634 times)

BloodMountain · « **on:** May 09, 2007, 09:15:48 PM »

hi

does having bigger arm muscles allow you to speed pick for longer periods of time without feeling strain? my arm muscles are minute, and i was playing a song i recently wrote that has about 80% speed picking in. thank god i wrote it with a break in the middle, because the strain at the end was pretty huge!

if this is the case, what would you recommend to build up my arms (bear in mind that i'm weak at the moment)?

thanks a lot guys, BM

dave_mc · « **Reply #1 on:** May 09, 2007, 09:54:41 PM »

it depends what you mean by speed pick, but i can pick pretty quickly and am the biggest wuss around...

maliciousteve · « **Reply #2 on:** May 09, 2007, 10:00:06 PM »

I wouldnt think it would. I work out quite a bit and my speed hasn't really gotten any quicker. Just look at paul gilbert, he's always been weedy and he's one of the fastest about

99_not_out · « **Reply #3 on:** May 09, 2007, 10:21:54 PM »

Hey man.
I think what you need is stamina, not strength; more like a marathon runner than a weight lifter.

Without wishing to sound obvious, continued practice is the best way to build stamina, just try to go a bit longer each time :) Bigger muscles probably won't help, and might even make it worse ...

Although on the other hand, the ladies do love them, so I heard :P

LazyNinja · « **Reply #4 on:** May 09, 2007, 10:57:31 PM »

Play master of puppets at double speed for an hour a day :)

Bigger muscles probably won't help. More mass to move around if you think about it. Smaller things generally move faster. Heavy weight boxers are slower than bantomweight boxers, terriers move around more than golden retrievers etc.

Philly Q · « **Reply #5 on:** May 10, 2007, 12:59:45 AM »

I agree with 99_not_out (although "speed picking" for me personally is about 20 bpm). Practice and you'll build your stamina. And don't think about it too much, if you're not relaxed you'll tighten up and get slower.

I remember when Joe Perry was a bit of a fitness freak around the early 90s he said he would ease off the weight-training before a tour because it made his hands, and therefore playing, stiff.

shaman · « **Reply #6 on:** May 10, 2007, 03:11:16 AM »

yep...mass has nothing to do with speed-size really doesnt matter!!!I look more like a damn bouncer than guitar player-lifted a lot of 12/16/32 oz. bottles in me day..he he...but if you want the chops..ye must practice/practice/practice...no curls..bench press..etc...lynch could shred well before he picked up a 45 lb. dumbell-if you are working out,you could be at home pluckin' away to your metronome!when us fatboys play fast,it just doesnt look right,anyway!! :x

Muzzzz · « **Reply #7 on:** May 10, 2007, 08:36:02 AM »

Hmm, could depend on whether you pick more from the wrist or the elbow.

Well, I spose Paul Gilbert is a stick and John Petrucci is buff, so I spose it can't matter that much...

Ratrod · « **Reply #8 on:** May 10, 2007, 11:40:50 AM »

This guy from the Toy Dolls (if you remember the 80's) was/is a very skinny guy but one of the fastest players I've ever seen.

Muso · « **Reply #9 on:** May 10, 2007, 11:50:59 AM »

You could always try the pie method that seems to work, look at Shaun lane, Michael Romeo and Yngwie, FAT = FAST!

dave_mc · « **Reply #10 on:** May 10, 2007, 08:08:28 PM »

^ :lol:

now what we need to determine is, is being weedy or fat better?

gingataff · « **Reply #11 on:** May 11, 2007, 03:50:51 PM »

Quote from: dave_mc

^ :lol:

now what we need to determine is, is being weedy or fat better?

Fat (my idea of woodshedding is eating cakes and drinking beer).
Where's the link to that video of the two Dutch(I think) shredders, one weedy with a kindof cowboy hat the other one a fat fella in a bumblebee suit?

EDIT: found it! http://www.bareknucklepickups.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4193&highlight=bumblebee

noodleplugerine · « **Reply #12 on:** May 11, 2007, 10:05:52 PM »

Quote from: gingataff

Quote from: dave_mc
^ :lol:

now what we need to determine is, is being weedy or fat better?

Fat (my idea of woodshedding is eating cakes and drinking beer).
Where's the link to that video of the two Dutch(I think) shredders, one weedy with a kindof cowboy hat the other one a fat fella in a bumblebee suit?

EDIT: found it! http://www.bareknucklepickups.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4193&highlight=bumblebee

Born to Shred!

GREATEST MOVIE EVER!!

Mr Crab and Uli CC Rottweiler are awesome :D

BloodMountain · « **Reply #13 on:** May 12, 2007, 12:58:54 PM »

yeah what i meant was does bigger arm muscles improve stamina, because i start to get a strain in my bicep when i pick fast for about 2 mins or so, and that's with picking from my wrist.....

jt · « **Reply #14 on:** May 12, 2007, 03:24:59 PM »

:D speed wont come from arm muscle it`ll come from your wrist [ yes i no what jokes come next ! ]

keep practicing its the only way, remember a little longer every day.

:D 8)

Author Topic: Speed picking and arm muscles (Read 5634 times)

maliciousteve