How to Strike Guitar Strings

Striking guitar strings might seem like a simple task, but when you're diving into genres like metal or djent, it becomes an art form. Achieving that tight, precise sound requires more than just a casual flick of the wrist. Let's break down the essentials of striking guitar strings, focusing on how to bring out the best in your playing, whether you're shredding through a black metal riff or laying down a groovy metalcore track.

Picking the Right Pick

The pick is your connection to the strings, and choosing the right one can make a significant difference in your playing. Metal guitarists often favor thicker picks because they provide more control and produce a sharper attack.

• Thickness: Thick picks, generally above 1.0mm, offer better control for fast picking and articulate chugging. They don’t flex as much, which means less effort is needed to strike the strings.
• Material: Picks made from materials like nylon or Delrin tend to give a smoother feel across the strings, while others like Ultex can provide a brighter tone.
• Shape: A standard teardrop shape is versatile, but jazz picks, which are smaller and pointier, can offer more precision.

Experimenting with different picks can help you find the one that complements your style. Some guitarists even modify their picks, such as by sanding them down to achieve a personal feel. At Riffhard, we often discuss the impact of pick choice in our rhythm guitar lessons, drawing insights from our instructors who are seasoned pros in the metal scene.

Holding the Pick

How you hold your pick can affect your sound more than you might think. A firm grip ensures stability, but too tight a grip can lead to tension and fatigue.

• Grip: Hold the pick between your thumb and index finger. Your thumb should press down on one side while your index finger supports it from the other.
• Angle: Angle the pick slightly towards the headstock of your guitar for a smoother attack. This angle helps produce a more fluid motion, particularly when alternate picking.
• Pressure: Apply enough pressure to maintain control but not so much that your hand becomes tense. A relaxed hand allows for more speed and endurance.

It might take some time to find the perfect balance, but it's worth the effort. Many players, including our instructors at Riffhard, often recommend practicing with various grips and angles to see what feels most comfortable and effective.

The Role of Your Wrist

The wrist is where much of the action happens. It's crucial to keep it loose and fluid, especially when playing faster-paced genres like thrash or death metal.

• Wrist Motion: Use your wrist to generate the picking motion, rather than your arm. This allows for quicker and more controlled movements.
• Relaxation: Keep your wrist relaxed to prevent cramping and increase speed. Tightening up can limit your range of motion and reduce your ability to maintain a steady tempo.
• Positioning: Position your wrist in a way that allows for efficient movement over the strings. Typically, this means the wrist is slightly arched over the strings.

Developing a good wrist technique is something we emphasize in our rhythm guitar lessons at Riffhard. Watching how top guitarists like Zakk Wylde and Dave Davidson utilize their wrists can provide valuable insights into improving your own playing.

Understanding Attack and Dynamics

Attack and dynamics are what give your playing character. In metal, a powerful attack is often desired, but knowing when to pull back is just as important.

• Attack: A strong, aggressive attack can make riffs sound more powerful and defined. This involves striking the strings with more force, but without sacrificing control.
• Dynamics: Varying your attack can add expression to your playing. For instance, easing up on softer sections before hitting hard on the chorus can create contrast.
• Consistency: Practice maintaining the same level of attack across different strings and positions. This ensures a balanced sound throughout your playing.

Balancing attack and dynamics is a skill that develops over time. Our instructors at Riffhard often share exercises that focus on these aspects, helping you to inject more emotion and power into your riffs.

Alternate Picking for Speed

Alternate picking is an essential technique for achieving speed and fluidity in your playing. It's all about efficiency, allowing you to play fast passages with precision.

• Basic Technique: Alternate picking involves striking the strings with a downstroke followed by an upstroke in a continuous motion.
• Consistency: Keep your movements small and consistent. The less distance your pick travels, the faster you can play.
• Practice Tips: Start slowly with a metronome, gradually increasing your speed as you become more comfortable.

Alternate picking can be challenging at first, but with practice, it becomes second nature. At Riffhard, we have a wealth of lessons dedicated to perfecting this technique, featuring insights from some of the fastest players in metal.

Downpicking for Power

Downpicking is a hallmark of heavy metal and punk music, delivering a punchy, powerful sound. It's about precision and endurance.

• Technique: Focus on using your wrist to deliver the downstrokes, keeping your hand relaxed to avoid fatigue.
• Strength: Building the necessary strength for downpicking takes time. Practice with slower tempos and gradually work your way up.
• Consistency: Ensure each downstroke is consistent in terms of power and speed to maintain a steady rhythm.

Downpicking can be physically demanding, but it's an essential skill for any metal guitarist. Our Riffhard instructors often incorporate downpicking exercises into their lessons, helping you develop the stamina needed for long sets.

Hybrid Picking for Versatility

Hybrid picking combines the use of a pick and your fingers, allowing for greater versatility in your playing. It's particularly useful for more complex riffs and arpeggios.

• Basic Technique: Use your pick for the lower strings and your middle and ring fingers for the higher strings.
• Coordination: Practice simple patterns to develop the coordination needed for hybrid picking.
• Versatility: This technique opens up new possibilities for playing intricate passages and adding texture to your sound.

Hybrid picking can seem daunting at first, but it's a valuable tool for expanding your skill set. Our instructors at Riffhard provide step-by-step guidance on mastering this technique, making it accessible for players of all levels.

String Muting for Clarity

String muting is essential for maintaining clarity in your playing, especially when playing high-gain music like metal.

• Technique: Use your palm to lightly rest on the strings, preventing unwanted noise while allowing the notes you play to ring out clearly.
• Consistency: Practice muting consistently across all strings to maintain a clean sound.
• Balance: Find the right balance between muting enough to reduce noise and still allowing the strings to vibrate.

Mastering string muting will dramatically improve your sound quality. At Riffhard, we emphasize this technique in many of our lessons, ensuring your riffs are as tight and clear as possible.

Practice Makes Perfect

Like any skill, striking guitar strings with precision and power takes practice. Consistency and dedication are your best friends in this journey.

• Routine: Establish a regular practice routine that focuses on various picking techniques and exercises.
• Patience: Progress might be slow at first, but patience and persistence will pay off.
• Feedback: Record yourself playing to identify areas for improvement and track your progress over time.

The path to becoming a proficient metal guitarist is long but rewarding. At Riffhard, we support you every step of the way with lessons from top guitarists who have been where you are now.

Final Thoughts

Striking guitar strings effectively is a cornerstone of great playing, especially in metal genres. It's about combining the right tools, techniques, and practice to achieve the sound you want. At Riffhard, we offer a wealth of resources to help you hone these skills, featuring lessons from some of the best metal guitarists in the world. Keep practicing, stay patient, and enjoy the journey!