Picking/blocking 16th notes

[D. Scheindlin]

I could use some advice on picking/blocking. I’m struggling a bit with how to play this run of 16th notes, specifically the first four. I just can’t figure out the best approach to block each note and get to the fourth note in time. Right now the best I can come up with is to pick/block first note with thumb, pick/block second note with index finger, pick third note with middle finger and block with the bottom edge of my thumb as I move to pick fourth note with thumb. Is there a better way?

[Aron Odin Kristensen]

Hello! I am no expert, but i would suggest T-T-I-M for the first four notes. While using the A-pedal you buy yourself time to reposition your hand for the next notes. I guess the fourth string would be picked with index and then reach for the first string with middle finger? That way your thumb and index would be ready for the next few notes. I am not much of a pick blocker, but this seems to make sense to me. For palm blocking i would probably also do T-T-I-M for the first four, or maybe even T-I-T-I (as i use thumb and index a lot more than i use thumb and middle). I have recently been watching old videos of Hal Rugg playing C6, and when he was ascending on four consecutive strings with palm blocking, he seemed to often do T-T-I-I, even at crazy high tempos. Blows my mind...

[Fred Treece]

Also no expert here, but why not continue with the banjo roll thing you’ve already got going: TIMT—IMTMI—T

If you break it down you can see it’s two Forward Rolls (TIM TI—M) and a Backward Roll (MI—T) with a an isolated thumb stroke between them. Fingertip blocking combined with some well-timed lifting the butt end of the bar should keep it clean. This lick is as classic country as they come.

You could also go with a BE-approved more active Thumb stroke:
TIMT—TMTM—T
This would involve more palm blocking.

[Chris Templeton]

This thread reminds me of Buddy Emmons' practice exercise that's helpful when you box yourself in a picking corner, not necessarily about pick blocking:
T-M-T-T-M-T-M-M-T-M-T-T...etc.

[Fred Treece]

Chris, I can’t do that double-thumb or double-finger thing to save my life! It messes up my timing, so I adjust whatever phrase I am attempting and try to stay in some kind of alternate picking scheme. Or I just take a rest and wait for the next beat to come around.

[Nick Krol]

Crossover method with thumb and middle alternating

[Chuck Lemasters]

I don’t know what’s the best or correct way to pick this, but for me it naturally works as
T-I-T-T-I-M……The repeated thumb notes position the right hand in coordination with the bar hand, to grab the second string…and I am palm blocking until the second string, after which I pull the bar back to block that note with my left hand.

C.

[Colin Boutilier]

I use the extra finger, so I'd start it with a T-I-M-R roll, into something like a T-M-T-I alternate thing.

[Dave Magram]

Here's Buddy Emmons' answer to a similar question...

Re: Picking approach
From: Buddy
Date: 02 May 2002

...I use the thumb and two finger method for three string groupings and for four note crossovers, T, 1, T, 2 and reverse the sequence coming back.

http://www.buddyemmons.com/board_toc.htm

- Dave

[D. Scheindlin]

Thanks guys. Some good stuff here that I need to spend some time with to figure out what works for me.