Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes. Support the artist by purchasing official materials whenever possible.
His influence extends beyond his solo work; he was a key member of the Chick Corea Elektric Band (earning two Grammy nominations) and Vital Information , and has released over twenty albums.
Speed picking requires flawless timing. Start at 60 BPM playing eighth notes, ensuring each click aligns perfectly with your string transitions. frank gambale speed picking pdf top
The book breaks down how to let the pick "glide" across the strings. Unlike a strum, a sweep requires the pick to hit each string sequentially, with the fretting hand articulating notes so they don't bleed together.
To master this style, you must rewire your brain's rhythmic picking habits. Start with these foundational exercises. 1. The Downward Sweep (Ascending Scales) Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes
Instead of jumping over a string to execute an alternate stroke, your pick pushes through the current string and rests on the next one in a single, fluid motion. Why Choose Economy Picking Over Alternate Picking? Alternate Picking Economy Picking (Gambale Style) Physical Effort High (Requires constant wrist rotation) Low (Uses natural gravity and momentum) Speed Ceiling Limited by muscle twitch speed Highly scalable due to fewer motions Tone Percussive and aggressive Fluid, legato-like, and smooth Learning Curve Intuitive but physically demanding Mentally challenging at first, physically easier Core Mechanics: How to Practice Speed Picking
By treating string transitions as a single fluid sweep rather than separate, individual picks, you eliminate unnecessary wrist motion and instantly increase your speed ceiling. 2. Essential Mechanics of the System Speed picking requires flawless timing
Traditional alternate picking requires strict down-and-up motions. Gambale’s system breaks these rules to maximize efficiency. This article breaks down the core mechanics of his speed picking system, how to implement it, and how to structure your practice routine. What is Frank Gambale’s Economy Picking?
To understand Gambale, you must first understand what he rejects: strict alternate picking.
Frank Gambale’s core philosophy relies on and Sweep Picking . Instead of changing pick direction every time you change strings, you push or pull the pick through adjacent strings in a single, fluid motion.