Death Metal Picking

Jeff · #1 09-30-2004, 12:15 AM

It seems when I play death metal power chords palm muted and very fast, my pick slides around every which way...and if I try to keep a tighter grip on it, I can't play as fast. Speed is the key here!

Any tips on playing fast palm muted power chords?

Ferrous Lepidoptera · #2 09-30-2004, 12:33 AM

What kind of pick are you using? I had best results with a 0.71 mm (yellow dunlop tortex). Most guys use thicker picks, but I found for super fast rhythm playing (e.g.: think John Schaffer of Iced Earth doing The Coming Curse) I like the yellow dunlops. Also, it helps if the pick is new and has a good point on it, after awhile it will wear down and be more rounded. Throw it out when that happens. Also for that sort of rhythm playing, I hold the pick with thumb, index and middle fingers. YMMV.

Jeff · #3 09-30-2004, 08:26 PM

Usually I use 1mm pink jemsite picks (dunlop delrins), but I'll give a shot to what you recommend.

whatshisname · #4 10-01-2004, 10:41 AM

I don't play death metal, but some of our material has some extremely fast palm muting, in parts. I've found that Dunlop 1.5mm derlins work great for this stuff. They are pretty think, but the edge is more rounded, as opposed to being more squared. They seem to just glide over the strings because of this.

I also have been using 1.0mm Tortex. Very different feel, but they work.

As for tips, try baby powder on your hands. It not only helps your strings, but it also helps with your picking hand. Because of the oils it absorbs, it helps to keep the pick from slipping so much.

You could also try Dunlop Gator Grips, or Everly Star Grips.

If all else fails, there's always Gorrilla Snot!

Artist · #5 10-03-2004, 09:17 AM

Use a stanley knife to criss cross cut grooves into your picks.

Shakma!! · #6 10-11-2004, 01:38 AM

i use dunlop 3mm stubbies for everything. they work pretty good. its mostly about positioning the hand and whatnot. Also, keep practicing and pushing yourself. play lotsa thrash metal too. thats also good for speed picking rythm guitar.

goth_fiend · #7 10-31-2004, 04:57 AM

jazz III's here, the main idea when playing extreamly fast is to relax, if you tense up at all your going to slow down, now if you pick is slipping you could try baby powder (it does work) another option is a product called gorilla snot, it works as well but its kinda nasty feelin, just relax and it shouldnt be a problem, this coming from a thrash/speed/black metal player

guitarshredder7 · #8 07-29-2005, 07:36 AM

i play alot of death metal like necrophagist cannibal corpse nile. but i use gator grip dunlop 1.5s they never move at all. no matter how sweety or whatever doesnt matter get them GATOR GRIP 1.5 DUNLOPS!

guitarshredder7 · #9 07-29-2005, 07:36 AM

or green gators or what ever there called

superhairycamel · #10 08-02-2005, 06:26 AM

give a jazz III a shot, i think you'll like em, personally i love them.

sniperfrommars1 · #11 08-02-2005, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by superhairycamel

give a jazz III a shot, i think you'll like em, personally i love them.

Or the dunlop tortex jazz as they are a little thinner, and you can get them in a flexable version if you want (i hate picks that bend they make me sloppy personally) and super hard versions

gunkungfu · #12 08-02-2005, 01:26 PM

I use those same yellow dunlop picks also Peavey makes a pick in a medium and heavy tha has some kind of grip for the thumb that works great no sliding

toma · #13 08-08-2005, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff

It seems when I play death metal power chords palm muted and very fast, my pick slides around every which way...and if I try to keep a tighter grip on it, I can't play as fast. Speed is the key here!

Any tips on playing fast palm muted power chords?

dont? learn how to play music instead.