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→Picking
== Picking ==
Start with picking. Your picking motion should come from either your '''wrist or elbow, ''not '' your finger/thumb joints'''. It is similar to waving hello to someone. You are "chopping", not "slapping" or "flapping". The relative distance from your hand to the guitar body should not change much during your picking motion. You want to "push through" the string, rather than applying tension to the string than moving your hand away from the body (pecking). The motion you use to play a single string should also work for multiple strings by simply continuing it (if you are "pecking" it will require a pecking motion for each string).
The location on the pick where it should initiate contact is very near the tip; however, this will vary depending on the desired dynamic level you want to achieve. For loud, aggressive playing, you will really want to "dig in", using more of the pick. Similarly, how tight you hold the pick will also determine how far from equillibrium you displace the string before it begins to slide and snaps off the tip of the pick. Both of these variables should be kept within a comfortable range. You don't want to use either method to the point of discomfort without trying to incorporate some of the other method first. Eventually, it will become very natural to vary both the amount of pick used and right hand tension at the same time without even thinking about it.