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Staccato...put a "little blade of silence" between the notes when playing medium speed. Like 8th note become 16ths with a rest between each one. This to be done with the RH alternation, ie, you stop the ringing pitch with the next finger planting.
Had a thought recently, since my picado has improved. I've often heard and seen written that picado isn't important, not necessary to accompany, etc blah blah. But honestly I think that's true but lame. Having a picado that is at least kinda fast and clean is really great. makes one feel like a half decent player, makes other techniques feel much easier too. I suppose picado training makes your fingers strong and dexterous which transfers over to other techs. My point is don't neglect it. Don't accept the excuses. Work on it. It's worth it
Had a thought recently, since my picado has improved. I've often heard and seen written that picado isn't important, not necessary to accompany, etc blah blah. But honestly I think that's true but lame. Having a picado that is at least kinda fast and clean is really great. makes one feel like a half decent player, makes other techniques feel much easier too. I suppose picado training makes your fingers strong and dexterous which transfers over to other techs. My point is don't neglect it. Don't accept the excuses. Work on it. It's worth it
Some of the very first material I had to learn for dance classes I played for were sevillanas melodies that are played picado. Then if you need any type of fandango or Alegrias tempo falseta that uses picado you had better have it together. Then there is the Farruca traditional footwork thing. I think in the world of dance there is a lower limit to what you can functionally get away with (maybe 4 per click at 150 or so?). If your goal is to play ONLY for cante or in your bedroom, you don’t need it at all.
I think in the world of dance there is a lower limit to what you can functionally get away with (maybe 4 per click at 150 or so?)
The main reason I practice picado is to use it por baile. To me picado feels great por baile, but I can only use it at slow tempos. I know how effective a 150/160 bpm 4 per click picado could be at the right moment por baile. That's what keeps me coming back and working at it.
Getting a real world useable 150/160bpm for tangos/alegrias is the dream!
Do you guys ever notice some days you can hit your speed wall/limit and then others you can even quite get to that target speed? That is incredibly frustrating. Maybe it is just slight nail variances, mood, humidity etc. But I might work on a passage for a solid month everyday and see zero net speed gains.
Maybe that’s a sign that I’m trying to push my limits too far and need to dial the tempo back
But I might work on a passage for a solid month everyday and see zero net speed gains.
Maybe that’s a sign that I’m trying to push my limits too far and need to dial the tempo back
I felt like this until recently switching nail shape. Did I mention its changed my life!? feel like a born again Christian. Can't stop talking about it! Haha.
Been practicing some chicuelo cantinas picados for years and never improving until changing nails. Massive leap in speed and control.
Even since the initial revelations I feel my speed has increased a few more times even without major practice. Definitely some practice though.
Guessing ill hit a wall soon at the level. Then I'll have to drill hard.
Considered your nail shape at all Jason? See! Like jehovahs witness! Pushing the good word of nail shape Jesus on everyone!
Do you guys ever notice some days you can hit your speed wall/limit and then others you can even quite get to that target speed?
You might see if the occasional under-performance corresponds to some other activity you're doing. For example, I lift weights in a gym, and when I train certain muscle groups (esp. shoulders), it fatigues muscles I use for playing guitar later that day, and I notice that, say, my tremolo speed is just a tad slower.
Right there with you. At this point it would be unrealistic to believe it's ever going to happen for me, but that doesn't mean I'm giving up fighting the windmill.
quote:
ORIGINAL: orsonw Getting a real world useable 150/160bpm for tangos/alegrias is the dream!
Do tell me the good word, Father. What tis this holy nail shape thy speakith
Hey funny you mention that. My wife posted that old clip on fb the other day. And said to me.... hey look at the clip from (9 years??) Ages ago. Don't think its much different to how you play now! 😂 Jesus I hope she's wrong.
I plan to re record that soon and compare the two.
I plan to re record that soon and compare the two.
How about an informal foro picado challenge? Can you post a tab or video of the Chicuelo cantinas picado? I'll give it a go. It won't be 150bpm though.
Hey Jason, that is the second picado in the piece. The longer run. I think the vid you mention I play the picado at the end of the intro section. Shorter and with many ligados. It also has two instances on NON alternating I,m. Think it's tabbed as I,I. Once and m,m once. In encuentro. I never learned it that way and still struggle. Maybe it's just a really hard run with the ligados and doing it all alternating. ??
(I think I posted a question regarding the non alternating picado in that run, prior to that thread you linked. )
Like I say... I've been battling these runs for years! 😄
It's definitely easier when I put the hammer ons in different places. Just never worked out the optimum
Was gonna aplogise for hijacking this thread with a potential challenge..... But metalhead hasn't come back to see what responses his CAPS letters post has received....
Ohhh, you did say it was the picado at the end of the intro, Stu. Honestly forgot there even was picado at the intro. Looking at it again I can see how it is tricky with the descend-ascend-descend, but at least there are no weird crossings. The ascend brakes the momentum.
Metalhead really invested a lot into this thread - just to walk away!! All of 2 words
Haha yeah. Maybe he'll return with an awesome recording of this chicuelo picado.
Honestly, I've had small practice last day or so. There's something particularly nasty about this run. I just can't seem to get it remotely quicker than I ever have. Even with my swanky new nails and improving picado on more regular runs.
I'm gonna try and do it like the encuentro transcription says with the ii and mm.
Sorry, I mispoke. its two instances of i followed by i
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