Teacher: Welcome class to the lesson series on
Guitar Techniques. This lesson will feature Rake & Sweep
Picking.
Teacher: Unfortunately I installed a new video
driver and the capture is not working correctly, I'll have to add videos to the
archive later.
Teacher: Let's get started. The first picking
technique will be raking. This technique was used by the old blues and country
players. Here's the first example.
Part 1 - Basic String Rake 1
Teacher:
Rake picking is a lot like strumming a chord. In this example I strum a chord
fast, then slowly and then rake a portion of the chord.
Jimb: Do you palm mute the rake?
Teacher: Jim yes, I was going to point out that
you can palm mute the string using the picking hand, in addition you dig the
pick harder into the strings. This gives the technique more attack. OK, in this
example I also down pick (or ascend the strings). Here's the next
example.
Part 1 -
Basic String Rake 2
Teacher:
Same basic technique, only up-picking (or descending the notes). OK, let's
try a few exercises. In this example you down pick several
chords.
Part 2 -
String Rake - Exercise 1
Teacher:
These are all rakes that down pick as you shift to different chords. You start
with Em, F#m, G, A, & Bm.
Jimb: Does your 1st finger act like your barre and the F#
C# A etc ?
Teacher: Jim, very good point, using your finger
to barre helps you to position to play the rake, chord or arpeggio faster. Let's
try another exercise.
Part 2 - String Rake - Exercise 2
Teacher:
Notice you should develop this technique using both and and down picking. Here's
the next exercise.
Part 2 - String Rake - Exercise 3
Jimb: I'm
have trouble overshooting with my right hand when raking up >:( i hit my A
string grrr).
Teacher: Jim you can mute the A string by
wrapping your thumb around the neck and lightly touching that string. Or you can
use the fret hand as well to mute that string.
Jimb:
Ahhh....never thought of that...I'll use that method on my low
E.
Teacher: Can any of you tell me what guitarists
you know, that use the rake picking technique?
doug:
Yngwie Malmsteen, Joe Satriani, Jake E Lee...
Jimb:
Hendrix, Vai, Satch, Slash
AScriabin: Steve Morse
Teacher: Doug, Yngwie uses more sweep picking, as
some of the other guitarists you mentioned, however more of the blues &
rock guitarists use rake picking, versus the shredders who use more sweep
picking. Hendrix is a big yes, and the other players as well. We'll get
into the sweep picking in a bit. One player I really admire who uses this
technique is Stevie Ray Vaughan. Here are a few
examples.
Part 3 -
Rake Example - SRV 1
Teacher: In this example you rack
upwards after playing each note. Now this can be tough to play, so try
practicing this slow at first and then build on the speed. Make sure you
accent dragging the pick upward after playing each of the lower notes.
Can you see where practicing the exercises I gave you earlier can
help in riffs like this? In fact I suggest you take a period to practice
only rakes before playing any songs that use this technique. Here's the
next SRV example.
Part 3 - Rake Example - SRV 2
Teacher:
The rake is a very subtle but effective technique in this riff. If you really
listen close to SRV's records and live performances you'll notice how often he
really uses this technique.
Jimb: The thumb comes in handy on this one
:)
Teacher: Good point Jim, SRV, Hendrix, and many
blues players use the thumb to play chords like this. Here's the next
example.
AScriabin: the videos of SRV's Austin City Limits
appearances really helped me learn (steal) some of his techniques.
Teacher: Oh
yes, I watched that video before the lesson to get some ideas to
illustrate for this lesson.
Part 3 - Rake Example - SRV 3
Teacher:
In this example, notice how the rakes are subtle, but makes the phrase have more
dynamics. The rakes also make the phrases more fluid and flow
better. Here's a Jimmy Page lick that illustrates this technique as
well.
Part 3 -
Rake Example - Jimmy Page 1
Teacher:
The rakes add more character to a solo. OK, let's get into the Sweep
Picking.
doug: What's the
difference between sweeping and raking?
Teacher: Sweep picking is a lot like rake
picking, except you use arpeggios versus portions of a chord. You will
also use more notes and even two or more notes on the same string as
well. Here's the basic example.
Part 4 - Basic String Sweep 1
Teacher:
In this example you use a portion of a Bm arpeggio. Notice how you hammer and
pull-off on the 1st string (E).
Jimb: is it best to barre or play individually?
Teacher:
Jim you can barre your fingers whenever possible, however you kind of roll your
fret hand with the notes as you are sweeping downward and upward. Here's the
next example.
Part
4 - Basic String Sweep 2
Teacher:
This example uses a D Major arpeggio. Notice how you hammer-on the 5th string,
starting from the root note (D), and then sweep downward until you
hammer/pull-off on the 1st string (E) and sweep backwards.
AScriabin: That is some stretch on the
E!
Teacher: This is a challenging technique! You
have to get use playing the arpeggio, then coordinate the sweep picking with
the fret hand. Take your time to get this technique down slowly, and then
eventually build speed.
Jimb: I cant stretch that far without really hurting
my hand... is it possible to tap the 1st string 10th fret?
Teacher: Jim you can tap, but try to stretch if
you can. This is an excellent stretching exercise as you might have notice. Also
position the thumb of your fret hand, directly on the back of your neck. Do
not try to wrap the thumb on the top of the neck. The hand has to be open, wide
and ready to play wide intervals. Here's the next
example.
Part 4 -
Basic String Sweep 3
Teacher:
This exercise illustrates the core Dm Arpeggio, and then illustrates how you can
sweep using only a portion of the arpeggio. Here's an exercise you can
try.
Part 5 -
String Sweep - Exercise 1
Teacher:
This is tough to play, but take your time to adjust. You start with the E Major
arpeggio, (sweeping down and up), then shift to D Major arpeggio, then C Major
arpeggio, and then ending on B. Very tough to get down, but this should
improve your overall technique after some practice. Please remember, take your
time! Your hand will build up strength in many areas of your hand (stretch,
rolling, syncing the right & left hand,...) Here's another
exercise.
Part 5 -
String Sweep - Exercise 2
Teacher:
This is the same basic technique and arpeggios you used earlier, however this
exercise jumps positions of the arpeggio. Here's a few licks you can
try.
Part 6 -
String Sweep - Lick 1
Teacher:
This lick uses the Am scale and Am arpeggio sweep. Here's another
lick.
Part 6 -
String Sweep - Lick 2
Teacher:
This lick uses the Am & Am arpeggio as well.
Teacher: Well it's time to go. Practice
hard, and I look forward to seeing you at the next
lesson!
Jimb:
thank you very much :)
Teacher: I'm sure your hands will ache after this
lesson
8-)
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