Flatpicking is a popular technique for playing the guitar, especially in bluegrass and country music. It involves using a flat pick to strike the strings in a precise, rhythmic manner. With the right techniques and practice, you can develop a smooth and fast flatpicking style that will enable you to play a wide variety of music. In this article, we’ll explore some tips and techniques for improving your flatpicking skills.
Choose the Right Guitar and Pick
The first step in developing your flatpicking skills is to choose the right guitar and pick. A flat top acoustic guitar with a solid spruce top is a good choice for flatpicking, as it will produce a bright, punchy sound that cuts through the mix. As for the pick, a medium to heavy gauge pick (between 1.0 and 1.5 mm) is ideal for flatpicking. A heavier pick will provide more volume and a brighter tone, while a lighter pick will be more flexible and easier to control.
Start with Basic Chords and Strums
Before you can start flatpicking individual notes, you need to be comfortable playing basic chords and strums. Start by learning a few basic chords, such as G, C, D, and Em, and practice strumming them in a steady rhythm. Once you’re comfortable with these chords, try adding more complex chords and chord progressions.
Learn Basic Scales
Once you’re comfortable with basic chords and strums, it’s time to start learning scales. Start with the major and minor pentatonic scales, as these are the most commonly used scales in bluegrass and country music. Practice playing these scales in different positions on the fretboard, and focus on playing clean, even notes.
Practice Basic Licks and Riffs
Once you’ve mastered basic scales, start practicing basic licks and riffs. These are short, catchy phrases that are often used in bluegrass and country music. Start by learning a few simple licks, and practice playing them in different keys and positions on the fretboard. As you become more comfortable with these licks, start incorporating them into your playing.
Develop Your Alternate Picking
Alternate picking is a fundamental technique for flatpicking, and involves alternating downstrokes and upstrokes in a steady rhythm. Practice alternate picking by playing simple scales and licks, and focus on keeping your picking hand relaxed and steady. As you become more comfortable with alternate picking, start increasing your speed and practicing more complex patterns.
Use Downstrokes for Accents
While alternate picking is important for flatpicking, it’s also important to know when to use downstrokes for accents. Downstrokes are more powerful than upstrokes, and can be used to add emphasis to certain notes. Practice using downstrokes for accents by playing simple licks and scales, and focusing on hitting the accented notes with a strong, clear downstroke.
Practice Crosspicking
Crosspicking is a technique that involves playing three or more strings in a repeating pattern. It’s often used in bluegrass and country music, and can add a lot of interest and complexity to your playing. Practice crosspicking by playing simple scales and arpeggios, and focusing on keeping your picking hand relaxed and steady.
Learn to Play Melodies
Once you’ve mastered basic scales, licks, and techniques, it’s time to start learning to play melodies. Start by learning simple melodies, such as folk songs or hymns, and practice playing them in different keys and positions on the fretboard. As you become more comfortable with melodies, start incorporating them into your playing, and experiment with adding your own variations and embellishments.
Practice with a Metronome
Practicing with a metronome is essential for developing your timing and rhythm skills. Start by setting the metronome to a slow tempo, and practice playing simple scales and licks. As you become more comfortable with the metronome, start increasing the tempo and practicing more complex patterns.
Play Along with Recordings
Playing along with recordings is a great way to develop your timing and rhythm skills, and to learn how to play in different styles and genres. Start by finding recordings of songs that you’re familiar with, and practice playing along with them. As you become more comfortable, start experimenting with different keys and arrangements.
Looking to improve your flatpicking technique? Check out our articles on country strumming tips, flatpicking licks and solos, string care tips, flatpicking finger exercises, and flatpicking vs fingerpicking for a wealth of valuable information to enhance your skills!
Conclusion
Flatpicking is a challenging but rewarding technique for playing the guitar. With the right techniques and practice, you can develop a smooth and fast flatpicking style that will enable you to play a wide variety of music. Remember to start with basic chords and strums, and gradually work your way up to more complex scales, licks, and techniques. Practice with a metronome and play along with recordings to develop your timing and rhythm skills. And most importantly, have fun and enjoy the process of learning and improving your flatpicking skills!