Mike's Master Classes

Paul's Picking Power Secrets

Paul Bollenback·
5.0 (3 reviews)·INTERMEDIATE·Segment Enhanced·19 lessons
$13.95
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Paul offers a huge range of picking approaches that have aims to help develop, stronger picking, improved coordination and getting a better sound. He starts with an impressive demo of double-time picking demo in C minor blues which is inspiring. The areas covered by Paul offers is impressive and more fun than reading a book on technique.

Exercises include

  • Alternate picking with both down and upstrokes
  • How to avoid getting stuck with any single picking style
  • Fixed number of attacks per note (2,3,4 etc), with different stroke combinations
  • Combining different note groupings
  • Single vs. double time picking
  • Four finger combinations without repeating
  • the different feels involved with pickling / slurring / hammer-on and pull-offs.
  • Playing scales in different harmonies: E.g. 3rds,
  • Playing all adjacent string pairs
  • Two strings exercises
  • Things to be aware of left hand form
  • Economy / sweep picking with different down / up strokes
  • How to play fast
  • Why three notes on a string is his favored approach
  • string plucking borrowed from classical techniques
  • Lots of pattern ideas
What I found impressive is that throughout Paul encourages the viewer to take his examples and modify them - making your own on variations. As I followed along, I found myself not only developing new moves, but also understanding the potential for composition while practicing these techniques. Paul demonstrates in this video various picking techniques that initially feel counter intuitive (e.g., consecutive up-up and down-down strokes), but once applied, can be develop your playing in new directions. His video has already helped me to think about my picking choices and even helped in developing lines.

Course Content

Lessons

  • Picking2723

Section I

  • Introduction131
  • Mechanics91
  • Single String Chromatic Exercise218
  • Alternate Picking Exercise Variations281
  • Alternate Picking Variation Used on Solo131
  • String Crossing Picking Hand Options109

Section II

  • Left Hand Form on 2 Strings164
  • Different String Combinations178
  • Correlation to Improvising76
  • Using Different Numbers of Attack197
  • Application on Arpeggios - BbMaj7 Arpeggio123
  • Number of Notes Per Strings149
  • Adding Hammer-Ons and Pull-Offs86

Section III

  • Economy Picking and Sweep Picking124
  • Back To 2 Notes Per Strings126
  • Right Hand Picking Movement Details371
  • Application on Autumn Leaves and Closing Tips191

Soundslice

  • Picking F Major Scale - Soundslice235

Reviews & Ratings

5.0
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George Cole
Verified Purchase
8/8/2021

"Paul’s Picking Extravaganza! "

Excellent course specifically for the picking hand! I hope there is follow up on this course as far as tempos how to handle them, articulation, slurring, sliding, hammering: when to do (for speed, effect). Thx Paul!

DAVID TARDIO
Verified Purchase
5/6/2019

"You should have showed us the stove in Let's Burn One!"

I had the good fortune of attending a jazz camp in Maryland a few years ago and Paul was the guitar guru. He commented that my picking was very stiff, and I never got the chance to ask him for advice on how to make things better. I am therefore very glad that put out these two picking courses to help me improve my picking.

Henry Rutgers
Verified Purchase
5/5/2019

"Very useful"

I found this course very useful and helpful in my own playing and have incorporated much of Paul’s suggestions into my daily practice. Developing and maintaining good picking technique is an ongoing process and requires a regular return to basics. Thanks a Paul!

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About the instructor

Paul Bollenback →
Paul Bollenback is not only a masterful performer, but a down-to-earth instructor. His approach to jazz is both inspiring yet attainable. Guitar master George Benson, a long-time supporter, has described Bollenback’s work as ". . .bona-fide playing, unambiguous, up-front and powerful," calling him “a versatile dynamo on guitar. His approach to jazz and blues has a uniqueness unto itself . . ..”. That comment has special resonance in that Bollenback counts Benson high among his wide range of influences; these also include Carlos Santana, Wes Montgomery, Kenny Burrell, John McLaughlin, Johnny Winter, and Jimi Hendrix (among guitarists), as well as such giants of improvisation and composition as pianists Herbie Hancock and Bill Evans, and saxophonists Wayne Shorter and John Coltrane.