Lesson 4 – Hybrid Picking Rhythm Course
Lesson ID: A0131
In this guitar lesson, I’ll teach y’all one of my favorite hybrid picking patterns that involves plucking a basic melody line with your fingers while the pick alternates between bass notes. This technique will prepare you for playing songs in the style of Chet Atkins and Merle Travis. You can play this pattern over just about any chord and it’s useful for country, folk, bluegrass, and blues guitar. First I’ll teach you the hybrid picking pattern and then I’ll give you tips as we work through the practice progression. Download practice tablature below the video, and after you master the hybrid picking pattern, play along with the practice video!
Lesson Overview
Hybrid Picking Pattern
No-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o!!!! Not the pinky!!! LOL. I have a lot of trouble with my pinky and even my index finger. For some unknown reason, my pinky and index point inwards and I have much difficulty even getting my pinky in the next fret. I don’t understand why my hand is built wrong like this since I never injured my hand and don’t have any ailments. In the picture you can see where I am trying to move my pinky to the next fret. When I attempt to move the pinky there, it pulls the ring finger with it, causing a buzz… Read more »
Hey Phil! Yeah, the pinky tends to be the weakest finger…the more you use it, the stronger it will get and you won’t struggle getting it to fret notes in the proper places. It’s especially trick since the pinky and ring finger share a tendon of some sort and move together. I’ve actually got the same inward pointing thing going on with my pinky…I’ve spent hours playing different scales and a lot of the scales use the pinky. It’s helped me strengthen the pinky so I can use it better when I’m playing chords. Maybe I’ll put together a good… Read more »
Thank you, Devin. Yes, I’ve done the exercises using my pinky; I think the name of the main exercise I did was “spider” where I go up and down all the strings as I go down the fretboard. It never did help, I mean, my pinky got stronger but it never got any more flexible or any more reach than when I started. I love flatpicking and think it is so cool, but with my hand the way it is, there is no way I’m going to continue the aggravation of trying to play it. I need to face my… Read more »
For sure, I hear you there. Guitar should always be a fun hobby. Gotta stick to playing the stuff you enjoy so practice is fun. Back when I started playing when I was younger, I was all about trying to play everything super fast. Now I find myself enjoying the slower tunes much more so that’s usually what I practice these days. Funny how tastes change over time.
yes quick message just to say it sounds really nice ! hybrid picking makes it more spicy
I feel awkward…I’ll work slowly!Thanks Devin !
It is a tough pattern at first but I know you’ll get it if you work slowly. I always have to relax my right hand when I’m learning new hybrid picking patterns and they get there eventually. Good luck!
Yes, I found it real easy to get tense while I’m learning this stuff. I have a note to remind myself to relax and release the tension, especially in my right hand. My hand tires fast and starts to hurt a little if I don’t.
I’m starting to wonder if maybe I would find a guitar with a wider nut width/ neck easier for this kind of thing? I’m currently working on a Fender Paramount which has been great for the fill riffs lesson series. It’s a dreadnought with (I think) a 43mm nut width, is that standard for dreadnoughts? It also has a c-shape neck which is maybe something to consider, too – maybe that’s a little slimmer than what you’ve got on, say, a Martin and could be making it slightly more difficult then for the hybrid picking stuff?
Loving this hybrid picking Devin. As I’ve also been studying fingerstyle, I’m finding this pretty familiar with the exception that the pick is taking place of my thumb and my index is taken out of the equation (holding pick of course). And while it’s similar, it does have different sound with the pick involved. Either way I’m learning versatility which can only help.
Loving this series. Hybrid picking is very new to me. To be honest, I kinda shied away from it due to having got into the (very bad) habit of holding my pick with the thumb and first two fingers over the years. So I’ve had to literally go back to the basics of how to hold a pick while doing these lessons! Well worth it, though. Looking forward to incorporating a lot of this style into my playing, moving forward.
I like this hybrid picking but it sure is taking a toll on the ring finger. It’s just not used to that much plucking. Normally it’s all thumb, pointer and middle. Just needs to toughen up, I guess!
I used to play classical guitar so it’s not easy to play with a pick but I’ll get it.
This is so amazing Devin. This is exactly what I was looking for