Right hand picking exercises

[Sam Inglis]

Today I had an operation on my left hand which will put it out of action for a fortnight. Wondering if I could use the time to improve my sorry right hand technique. Anyone know of good picking or blocking exercises that only use the open strings?

[J Fletcher]

E major scale for starters . Then E major scale harmonized in 3rds .

[Frank Freniere]

Scroll to the bottom post in the thread below for tab to Jeff Newman's "Right Hand Alpha" course.

viewtopic.php?p=3268214&hilit=alpha#p3268214

[Donny Hinson]

I never was really big on playing scales, especially when most of what we play are songs! So here's my little challenge for you, one that I've done many times, and it really helps your picking, phrasing, and right-hand blocking techniques.

There are tons of songs you can play without using the bar. Start slow, and play simple songs first, with feeling and expression (on just the open strings with the basic 3+4 E9th setup). A couple of good slow songs to start with would be "Silent Night" and "Danny Boy"; (played with maximum expression and feeling); first just using single notes, and then progress to adding harmonies and unisons, where possible. Okay, so you say you've got that mastered? Then now's the time to move up to some faster, more challenging stuff! And two great ones to try are "Arkansas Traveler" and "Sailor's Hornpipe". Start 'em slow at first, 40-60 BPM, then try it up around 70-80 BPM, and finally see if you can hack 'em at 100-120 BPM (up in Doug Jernigan territory).

Good luck, and let me know when you've "graduated".

[Tevis Maloney]

Dave Magram's blocking guide is available here:
https://dhdube.wixsite.com/psgbeginner/ ... -materials

Would encourage using a metronome.

Being new to PSG, I have been working strings 8, 7, 6 & 5 open using different combos. TTIM, ITIM, MMIT. Lot's of combos to try.
Might be old stuff to some, but to me, everyday is a new adventure learning this instrument. It's addictive.

Thanks Frank for posting the link to tabs. Look forward to trying these out!

Tevis

[Bob Sykes]

I like to play "Dixie" in the manner Donny describes.

[Dave Magram]

Anyone know of good picking or blocking exercises that only use the open strings?

Hello Sam,

I just saw your post today on the SGF, asking about picking exercises.
There are dozens of picking & blocking exercises in my Steel Guitar Blocking Guide, including over a dozen contributed by a Forumite who toured extensively with several major artists!

I sent you my Blocking Guide several months ago--but perhaps it did not get to you for some reason.

I've just re-sent the latest version to you; please let me know if you do not receive it.

- Dave

[Derrick Phillips]

If you can somehow get a hold of Paul Franklin's Permutations - it's help me tremendously. It's a combination of 24 different four note patterns that require pick blocking, I assume you could use palm as well.

According to Paul, he does this for 15 minutes before and 10 minutes at the end of his practices every day.

[Randy Schneider]

If you can somehow get a hold of Paul Franklin's Permutations - it's help me tremendously. It's a combination of 24 different four note patterns that require pick blocking, I assume you could use palm as well.

According to Paul, he does this for 15 minutes before and 10 minutes at the end of his practices every day.

The permutations are included in Paul's "Intervals - Learning the Language of Music." It's an ebook available free at Modern Music Masters:

https://modernmusicmasters.com/intervals-ebook

Looks like just the thing I need to spend some time working on myself!

[Sam Inglis]

Thanks! The Permutations are perfect, just the sort of thing I was after.