Twanger, Inc.

You Are Here - 0 Byron Santo's Twanger Exercises

Byron Santolucito is a very fine all-around New Orleans based musician, author, engineer and producer. We hope he's done dodging hurricanes for a while. He won "Best Bass Player in New Orleans" in 1987. You can check out the band he's in now at Sherreece . Byron has the record for broken Twanger strings due to heavy and intense use during development of a new thumbing technique for bass. We gladly made him some double core string units which, as of last report, are still intact. Byron also is quite a computer jock and has used his programming skills to develop the Picking Hand Grimoire, a series of practice exercises . He sent us a sample of his stuff. You can purchase a complete copy on floppy disc at our online store. Enjoy.

PREFACE

The Picking Hand Grimoire, created to add teachers and students alike in the development of the picking hand. The exercise patterns where created by computer for 4, 5, 6 and 7 string instruments. Every possible string permutation is covered. The musician will have a lifetime of exercises.

The main reason for creating such an exercise book for the picking hand only, is that we tend to neglect its development, concentrating mainly on the fretting hand since it is the weakest in most individuals. I have found that if we concentrate on the picking hand specifically and practice every possible combination of string skipping with single or multiple notes per string that any musical situation that we may encounter in our careers the picking hand has practiced those movements. Then the musician can concentrate on the fretting hand and all of its many functions.

The exercises in the Picking Hand Grimoire are broken down into small patterns or picking hand movements, because of this we can focus on tempo, rhythm, dynamics and string attack without the distractions of the fretting hand or trying to memorize multiple measures or different patterns. The Picking Hand Grimoire can also be used to enhance creativity by playing patterns or picking hand movements that are unfamiliar to you. In addition, the Picking Hand Grimoire can be used to expose flaws in our technique or the maximum limits of our technique.

QUOTE

" I believe that THE PICKING HAND GRIMOIRE by Byron Santolucito is a very useful working tool for the guitarist to develop new melodic ideas and compositional insights and directions. It is an important conceptual contribution which respects the users intelligence and creativity and allows one the freedom to remain oneself musically while exploring unheard off possibilities for the guitar."

----NEY MELLO

INTRODUCTION

Rules in the development of the picking hand

STAY RELAXED: The entire body should remain relaxed at all times during the exercises. Do not allow muscle tension in the neck, shoulder, etc. to build up during the exercises. The body remembers the tension as part of muscle memory. This can lead to injury or a decrease in development.

BREATHING: Musicians tend to hold their breath when playing difficult licks or phrases. The lack of oxygen in the body can cause serious problems so concentrate on breathing while doing the exercises.

FRETTING HAND: The fretting hand is used to mute the strings while the picking hand is practicing the exercises.

ALTERNATE PICKING: Maintain alternate picking at ALL times unless practicing a technique such as raking or sweep picking.

TEMPO: Keep a consistent tempo while practicing the exercises. Use a metronome.

ATTACK: Strive for a consistent attack on every note. Once mastered, apply accents to random notes, etc.

RHYTHM: Practice different rhythms and styles. I.e. Straight eights or a swing feel.

DYNAMICS: Try the patterns with different dynamics. I.e. loud, soft, etc.

NOTEBOOK: Keep a log of all patterns practiced including tempo and length of pattern practiced. This allows you to track your progress.

TIME: Practice the patterns for a max of 5 minutes before moving on. Use a timer. The reason for the timer is that most songs are 4 -5 minutes in length. Practicing a pattern for 10 seconds will not develop the picking hand for use in a song or solo.

Starting a new exercise

Start a new pattern at no tempo and no rhythm. Practice just the movements of the picking hand. Adding tempo, rhythm, etc. may be distracting in the beginning stages of muscle memory.
When you are comfortable with the pattern, add a metronome set to 60bpm. Pick a rhythm, maybe quarter notes. Do the pattern for 4 - 5 minutes.
Increase the tempo by 5bpm then work on doing the pattern for 4 - 5 minutes.
Keep increasing the metronome by 5bpm and doing the pattern for 4- 5 minutes until you have reached your desired tempo.