[caspersvapors]

I hadnt seen another guitarist besides Jerry who used the scalpel technique (motion derived more from fingers rather hand or wrist, like holding a pencil) but Zappa does it too

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAmcmdKjTDA

[razmablues]

i used to always do that but my uncle kept telling me it's wrong... "IT'S ALL IN THE WRIST!!"

[tigerstrat]

i used to always do that but my uncle kept telling me it's wrong... "IT'S ALL IN THE WRIST!!"

...and I left his dead ass there by the side of the road!

[IamDocWatson]

yea definately no good...not enough strength and control in just your fingers...you dont want to overkill and use you arm either, its all wrist action....

why do so many popular well known players have such bad habits its like telling the kids not to listen to their teachers "thats not how jerry did it"

[Django]

Over on Guitar Player TV Dweasel Zappa demonstrates Frank's picking method closely. Maybe that's the youTube video as well, I don't get to youTube from work, access denied!

[tigerstrat]

I guess I'm a scalpel guy... that's where the similarity between JG's and FZ's picking technique ends though... JG throws in tons of hybrid picking, and I don't believe FZ did at all.

It's a all in the fingers!

[Crazy 9.5 Fingers]

I would say technique-wise, it is all about a combo of fingers on the pick, a little scalpel technique, and wrist action all at once.

Here is a short clip of the Mahavishnu John McLaughlin, the best of all time IMO, notice how is wrist and fingers work together and make it look so easy to play so articulate and so fast.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXheHcv8 ... ed&search=

[Henry]

i used to always do that but my uncle kept telling me it's wrong... "IT'S ALL IN THE WRIST!!"

Jerry and Zappa were both pretty unique players... what worked for them doesn't necessarily have to work for the average guitarist like most of us. What I mean is, if you feel comfortable with the technique you're using, you shouldn't go crazy about doing it another way just because THEY did it...

[tigerstrat]

I guess I'm a scalpel guy... that's where the similarity between JG's and FZ's picking technique ends though... JG throws in tons of hybrid picking, and I don't believe FZ did at all.

It's a all in the fingers!

Obvious exceptions abound of course... such as the "fanning" or "scrubbing" move. That's wrist. And of course the "windmill"

[razmablues]

i used to always do that but my uncle kept telling me it's wrong... "IT'S ALL IN THE WRIST!!"

Jerry and Zappa were both pretty unique players... what worked for them doesn't necessarily have to work for the average guitarist like most of us. What I mean is, if you feel comfortable with the technique you're using, you shouldn't go crazy about doing it another way just because THEY did it...

yeah it wasn't because i knew jerry was doing it. i didn't get started with a teacher so that's just how i picked up picking

[jackr]

Eric Johnson demonstrates something like that about 2 to 3 minutes in here. He calls it the circle technique of moving the thimb and index finger.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACH5Z_YP ... ed&search=

[caspersvapors]

I guess I'm a scalpel guy... that's where the similarity between JG's and FZ's picking technique ends though... JG throws in tons of hybrid picking, and I don't believe FZ did at all.

It's a all in the fingers!

uhhh Ive never once heard or seen Jerry hybrid pick in a solo

[gr8fulbluz]

on Guitar player TV Dweezil gives a good video example of a FZ picking technique. I luv stuff like this.

goto http://www.guitarplayertv.com/ then it is in the links on the left Artist features then scroll down to the link to Dweezil Zappa then Zappa picking. I found it interesting.
I used to listen to Apostrophe and Overnight Sensation alot, I got to find those again.

On a different thought, Guitar player tv has a Jerry Garcia video lesson as well, if ya go to links on the left again New GP lessons Oct 07 then Quick licks then Jerry Garcia

Just thought I would share that,
Cheers

[hesgone95]

I'd have to say I use both, depending on what I'm trying to get across. Obviously if I'm playing a rhythm, it's mostly wrist action and a bit of arm action. But when I'm playing a lead both techniques come into play.

And what is hybrid picking? Is that using a pick and your fingers at the same time?

[Tennesse]

Yo CasperV-dude when havent I seen Jerry using his picks and fingers at the same time in a solo?Dude he loves chicken picking!With a pick or without a pick..Yeah he palms the pick a lot,but he def. uses the combo all the time.