I got an email from one of the readers of the blog, Tony. He asked about combining hammer-ons and pull-offs with picking, and was wondering whether there is a system to that, a rule of thumb to go by (trying to sum up the email… if I got it wrong, I am sorry, Tony! =))
Anyway, combinations like these are sometimes referred to as “Partial Picking” (as opposed to, say, “Strict Alternate Picking”, where EVERY note is picked). A LOT of players use it. For example, Yngwie and Paul Gilbert often are mentioned for their amazing picking technique, and they really truly rule at that, but when you pay close attention, you will notice that they love to combine picking and legato. After all, that often is more efficient, and makes a run or lick smoother. And you can still maintain that aggressive picking sound, without picking EVERY note. It’s not “cheating” or anything… it’s trying to find the most efficient way to play something and get a certain sound. If you’d play all legato, you’d get that typical legato-sound, smooth and fluid. But if you want it to have more of that aggressive pick-sound, you might wanna pick all notes… or combine picking and legato.
This is one of Paul’s favorite licks, you can hear it being used a lot, sometimes he plays it the way shown in this TAB:
Now, a common rule of thumb for legato-playing is “Pick only when changing strings” (you can hear that being used a lot by Satch, for example), while here, the descending part on the higher string is played with pull-offs, while the other notes are picked (outside picking, by the way). This combination helps to maintain the typical picking-sound, while making the lick a bit smoother, and also might make it easier to actually play it. Try comparing this to the same lick picked all the way.
Another example:
Pretty much the same strategy, just more notes on the lower string. Again, try comparing this with the same lick, picking ALL the notes, and pay attention to what it sounds like and what it feels like. It might just make this lick smoother (sounding and smoother to execute).
Another, very similar example:
(that last one is another PG-favorite)
And this is another example where “partial picking” might help a bunch, because when you use string-skipping, it can help you to gain some extra-speed… the two pull offs at the beginning give you some extra-time to move to the G-String. (You might also consider hammering on the last two notes on the G-String… experiment!)
And an ascending version, a very popular, basic example of “partial picking”
Try this compared to alternate-picking all notes, and see what feels better, and most of all, what SOUNDS better to you.
Now, lemme point out something: The deal with partial picking is… its not supposed to be cheating or anything. If you want to play a lick or run and pick all notes, if you really want that cuz you like the sound of it, then you should work on it.
However, these kinda combinations make a lot of licks and runs faster, easier to execute, smoother, and there is no reason in a lot of cases why you should pick ALL notes. And listen to guys like Yngwie or Vinnie Moore or Paul G. to hear that kinda stuff used in some jaw-dropping ways!
Is there a system to it? Well, it really depends. Try the examples above, and see whether they make sense to you, whether they FEEL right and sound good. Try changing details… what changes when you pick all notes on the E-String, then legato on the B-string etc.
Also, you might wanna check out my book “Talking Hands – A Guide To Contemporary Lead Guitar Techniques”, as it has a chapter on partial picking, which might help (and for you german-speaking guys out there, a german version will be released in about a week. Its already available for download, and will be available as an actual book worldwide in a little while)
I hope this helps!
i`ve got a real problem with tapping, i really wonder how people like Paul Gilbert ,Michael Romeo Steve vai & …,can perform such a clean and smooth tapping parts specially when its comes to tap on more than one or two string (like string skipping+tapping or playing arpeggios on low strings ) i`m really trying to keep it clean but i always have some noise. is there something special about their instruments and Gear? (like especial Guitars,Pickups,Amplifiers , or dampen strings with low action or some kind of noise gates or other effects , or even the Distortion and .. so on ) i will be really thankful if you could give me a guide about this problem.”
