Fast picking question

[CaseLogic]

I'm trying to gain some speed in picking, but I've noticed something: fast-picking an open string sounds like ***. I've been tryin to learn some System of a Down to get faster at my picking, and there's a decent amount of fast sixteenth notes on an open string. It always sounds very muddy and garbled because when I try to pick fast, the string gets some mad vibrations (if that makes any sense).

How do I get this to sound a lot cleaner?

[Led_Zeppelin678]

Pick closer to the bridge, where the string is naturally tighter, or raise your action.

Also, try and learn the first bass solo from Metallica's Orion (as well as Battery), Roundabout and Heart Of The Sunrise by Yes, and Birds Of Prey by Tony MacAlpine (the powertab site has a perfect tab of it) to increase your picking speed.

[tomtom]

you could also try getting a metronome, set it to a certain speed, get it sounding good, then put the speed up a notch. that way you will steadily gain speed, while maintaining a nice consistent tone.

[Az_Holl]

Try muting the strings with your palm a little bit too.

[EADG]

He's not really looking for speed, but accuracy.


I'd say make sure your pick is perfectly parallel with the string, pick close to the bridge, and since you're playing SOAD (which involves downtuning) buy some heavier strings.

[bearshimmy]

I find that if you want to pick, heavier guage strings are much better for picking without sounding sloppy

[CaseLogic]

Thanks guys