So these are my first ever video uploads, they aren't very good, the pick didn't seem to want to stay in my hand today, kept getting snags here and there, then again I tend to get anxiety when I record. I know I need a lot of work. I am indeed laying down flat on my back, it makes it a bit harder to play but I'm adjusting to it. I have a pinched nerve in my lumbar spine and I can't sit up to play without experiencing intense pain. I am seeing a surgeon and hopefully I will be in better health soon.

I'm worried that I've been picking the wrong way for far too long, I don't do scalpel picking, just standard alternate picking. I'm trying to use my thumb and index finger and less of my wrist, I also use my pinky to help form a bridge and keep me steady.

In one of Pebber's videos I heard him say that using your pinky in this fashion is OKAY, and I correct on this? Also, does he prefer that his students always use scalpel picking or is regular alternate picking an acceptable alternative? Thank you for the feedback.

Hi,

I should not put your pinky like because it will give you problems at higher tempos IMHO. Than you should try as well to angle your pick a bit more (between 1 o'clock and 2 o'clock).

Scalpel picking is quite easy to learn and a good way of playing. If you start at a low tempo (40-50 bpm) after 2 weeks it becomes natural and its a real recomendation.

Keep up the good work

really like to read your advice adam! this forum is really interesting now after you started writing/helping people! thanks man!

great vid timing ok. on the pinky personally i would try not to anchor held my picking back for years (or could of been lack of focused practice?) but as adam said there a lot of great guitarist who do this, just looks uncomfortable to me and much neater with pinky tucked in.
on scalpal you need to over emphasize more really get that sawing motion going if its a picking style you want to pursue
I also noticed you seem to do it backward?
what i mean is you are going through the strings this way / instead of this way \


But hey what ever works for you.
is you back pain guitar related ? hope you better soon bud

I am actually holding the pick at a backwards angle rather than a forward one, I can do it both ways but I prefer to angle the pick toward me and then about 30 degree angle. I think the pinky thing is one of those natural habits you get into as a beginner because it steady's your hand, and I had a few short term guitar lessons here and there and it was never corrected so I just stuck with it, it feels comfortable to me and I am starting to pick my speed up a little bit, though I don't practice nearly as much as I should be. If I cap out at a certain speed, I may try changing my picking style, but honestly I don't think I have a musical NEED at this point to play 16th notes at 200 bpm. Right now I want to focus on progressions, theory, playing the right notes at the right time, being capable of playing rhythm but also busting out a decent solo.

Big inspirations for me are at the moment are David Gilmour and Alex Lifeson, I just like the fact that they are well rounded guitarists who can write interesting songs and can also play a mean lead (which in Alex's case he has to being the only guitarist, I mean how great is Rush!?) The back pain started earlier this year and just progressed and got worse and worse, I failed a nerve conduction study so my nerves are being compressed somehow in my lumbar spine, but a cat scan showed I have no major herniation in any of my discs, so right now I'm out of work and going through some physical therapy, hopefully it does the trick.

Thanks so much for the feedback.

Edit: The pain isn't guitar related, but strapping on a guitar for a period of time doesn't feel too great. I'm sure its something hereditary, the men in my families have horrible backs, and scoliosis is common with us. Thank you genes! :/