Picking technique question (for metalheadz)

[goroth]

How does one phrase this without sounding all Ultimate Guitar anno 2008 up here... ???

Ok. Gallop rhythms are rad. Iron Maiden. You know it. 8th, 16th, 16th. That works. Blaze away.
Backwards galloping is also rad. 16th 16th 8th.
But backwards galloping fast as shit is hard and is not being my friend at the moment. I have like a magic barrier at around 176 bpm. 176 bpm sounds pretty tight and clean. 180 sounds bad and 184 is just not even possible. Straight 16th notes at 184 is not a problem though.

So I've been thinking about the mechanics of it all, and my brain says I should play consistently Down Up Down, DUD, DUD, DUD. I don't shred, but generally alternate pick pretty consistently, rather than economy picking or any other freaky deaky stuff. But, I was messing around with DUD, UDU, DUD, UDU and it wasn't as tight but it seemed like if I coordinated my shit a bit better I could play faster with more stamina, because of the break you get after every comma (grab a guitar, it will make sense).

But is this DUD UDU thing worth pursuing? Or should I just do the classic relax, increase speed incrementally thing with a consistent DUD, DUD, DUD, technique?

[Tristan]

No clue what you mean with DUD and UDU dude...
Oh, maybe I get it, D = down and U = up I guess (first I thought DUD was down like a dud sound but the udu didn't make any sense, I only know it's some kind of drum instrument).
So yeah, what I'd do is play DDU because that way the last stroke is up so you can go down on the first again.
Actually, the most consistent way to play the gallop rhythm as far as I know is DDU as well but I totally hate it with all my life and blood
so don't take my word for it.
If you start permutating the shit (drawing the rhythm over the bar / cross rhythm style) that's where it's usually best to follow through with DUDU playing.

[Iommic Pope]

You could start your first 8th on the phrase on a down pick and double that up to start the following 16th if your quick enough (that's what I used to do. Although, keeping in mind that it has been a very long time since I chugged faster than about 140bpm, I may be remembering my technique wrong.
So it would sort of feel like a double movement.

You could always start your 8 on an up, but I always found starting on an upstroke to be awkward (TWSS). But you are undoubtedly a better player than me.

Man, gallops is cools. I gotta get more of that in my diet.

Off the top of my head I think the middle section of SYL's "In the rainy season" has some pretty good examples of alternate gallop phrasings, so it might be an idea to jam with that and see where you feel comfortable starting and finishing phrasing on ups or downs.

Sorry for the mostly unhelpful and long response.

[The_Active_Conundrum]

when I was more metal than now, I'd approach it as DUD UDU I'd also treat the 8th notes as 16th because I'm dumb and can't process a stacatto 8th note.

Practicing, I'd only work on the UDU part, becaus you know your wrist is use to DUD.

Also worth noting is if you want Sheer agression, more downstrokes is better.

[WayToHip]

I do DUD DUD DUD, I was taught this way by my teacher b/c he said it helps keep rhythm. So I guess stick with what you're doing.

[Tristan]

You're absolutely right, I was mistaken, for the 16th 16th 8th it's actually DUD DUD etc.
The eight notes (main beats) are downstrokes and the sixteenths in between (in between beats) are upstrokes, I believe that's the most consistent rhythmic way of dealing with picking.

16th 16th 16th 16th (basic 16th pattern) = DUDU

8th 16th 16th = DDU

16th 16th 8th = DUD

16th 8th 16th = DUU

[goroth]

Yeah I think I'll just have to keep practising to get past this block. Doesn't look like there are any secret tricks for lightning speed

[UglyCasanova]

Fap, my friend. Fap to your heart contempt.

[Iommic Pope]

I switched to my left hand for wanking so I wouldnt develop an RSI in my right.

I knew a dude who tried to play too fast all the time and basically had to go the whle surgery, therapy everyday thing.
Cunt was like the bogan Skwisgar of Ipswich.

[KaosCill8r]

Fap, my friend. Fap to your heart contempt.

I was gonna post the same advice. You beat me to it. Great minds think alike.

[goroth]

Fap, my friend. Fap to your heart contempt.

I was gonna post the same advice. You beat me to it. Great minds think alike.

Wife: What are you doing?
Me: Just practising the guitar...

[KaosCill8r]

Fap, my friend. Fap to your heart contempt.

I was gonna post the same advice. You beat me to it. Great minds think alike.

Wife: What are you doing?
Me: Just practising the guitar...

Wife: Then why are you using my hand?

[hbombgraphics]

not that I don't want to make hand job jokes,,,,,,,,,

but how are you holding your pic?

maybe a dumb question, but I think it matters for heavy music

[UglyCasanova]

not that I don't want to make hand job jokes,,,,,,,,,

but how are you holding your pic?

"Pic" is pronounced exactly like the word for dick in Norwegian

[Tristan]

Same in Dutch!