Hey Friend,

While we could go for many weeks working on economy/directional picking exercises (believe me, I could load you down with so many you’d be good for a year!), we’re going to check out another picking style.

Its called Hybrid picking, and if I were to guess, I’d say you’ve been using this style without knowing it.

Like economy/directional picking (OMG, I just thought of a new name for this - ERECTIONAL picking! Whadda ya think? No? Well, at least I crack myself up!), hybrid picking combines two forms - fingerpicking and flat picking.

With fingerpicking, there is normally no pick (plectrum) used (although there are special picks you can get that fit on the end of your fingers and thumb). 

Flat picking incorporates the… that’s right, flat pick. 

When you combine them, holding a pick with your index finger and thumb, and ALSO utilizing your middle, ring and pinky fingers, voila, you have hybrid picking. 

Delicious, like a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup!

If you’re like me, you might have been playing like this for years already. I didn’t realize 'hybrid picking' is what I’ve been doing. In fact, I thought I cheating in some way, like the Rock guitar gods were looking down on me in judgement.

But not the case…

Turns out Rockers, Blues dudes and dudettes, Folksters and Country pickers all use this approach to play. Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin) and Jorma Kaukonen (Jefferson Airplane) are but two Rockers that hybrid pick.

I guess it’s all about getting to result, not necessarily how you get there. Remember, the name of the game is efficiency and serving the song, not being totally overly critical of your technique if the end goal is accomplished.

There are many, many ways to get to your destination...

Here’s a cool article and video by Gretchen Menn (she’s lead guitarist for Zepparella, a Led Zeppelin tribute band) with exercises that will get you started.

Alright, gotta roll. Had some excitement with my daughter's school bus. Turns out it hasn’t shown up! 

Ya’ll have a great day...

Peace~

Dave