Using digital delay to get speed picking effect

Larry Bell · Post by **Larry Bell** » 22 Nov 2003 1:19 pm

Rick,
It works out to about 450ms for 100
I actually don't use this technique at tempos that slow -- usually closer to 200bpm.

As it turns out, 100bpm requires
300ms for an eighth
600ms for a quarter
What you want is a dotted eighth which is midway between -- about 450ms

There's a program that converts bpm into ms at this link

So what you're playing is like Peter described, Ta Da Ta Da Ta Da Ta Da, but NOT AT EQUAL DURATION. The 'Ta' is a dotted eighth and the 'Da' is an eighth, but the 'Ta' sets the tempo.

Some delay units allow you to set the tempo by bpm and note value. My Boss GT-6 has a tap tempo that can be adjusted so that I can just tap quarter notes and it automatically adjusts. Before I had this feature available, I just played along softly for a couple of measures before coming in and adjusted it with a knob on the fly. The tap thing is much more accurate and easier to use on the bandstand.

Hope this helps.

------------------
Larry Bell - email: larry@larrybell.org - gigs - Home Page
2003 Fessenden S/D-12 8x8, 1969 Emmons S-12 6x6, 1971 Dobro, Standel and Peavey Amps

Rick Schmidt · Post by **Rick Schmidt** » 24 Nov 2003 3:32 pm

Thanks Larry! That does help...

I mostly use that effect for 150bpm & up myself, but I've never tried it for a medium shuffle etc....hence my question. Just an idea in the back of my head.

Thanks again!

Michael Brebes · Post by **Michael Brebes** » 25 Nov 2003 7:50 am

Michael Haselman was correct about Albert Lee. He is the one who came up with the technique. "Country Boy" was the first recording of him using it. I saw him using the technique when he played with Emmmy Lou Harris back in the 70's. John Jorgenson is the only other one that I know of that can pull it off to the level of Albert Lee. Listen to his solo in "Orange Blossom Special" on the 1st Hellecasters album.

There are some misconceptions in this thread about how to use this technique. Bengt has it right. There is no fixed delay time. It depends on the tempo of the song. The delay is set for 1 and 1/2 beats of what your playing, whether quarter or eighth notes. You play the notes evenly on beat. Between your 2nd and 3rd notes, the first note is repeated. Between the 3rd and 4th notes, the 2nd note is repeated. And so on. Usually all solos that are done in this fashion "have to be worked out" ahead of time or you can get yourself in trouble quick.[This message was edited by Michael Brebes on 25 November 2003 at 07:53 AM.]