Classical technique for steel strings

[Aspiring]

Originally Posted by Andyrondack

That's interesting, sounds pretty much what I found after some trial and error, keep the finger straighter so the nail ( or the pick in my case) pushes down on the string instead of playing with more curled fingers that result in the string being 'snatched' which slows it all down as the playing tip can't easily roll off the string.

It's that and the fact that the muscles controlling that first joint seem to be a lot more effective at fast / repetitive motions.
I know if I make more of a claw with my hand just in space and try to move the fingernail using the last joint before the nail vs straight finger the claw technique feels more bound up and less precise.

[Andyrondack]

Originally Posted by Aspiring

It's that and the fact that the muscles controlling that first joint seem to be a lot more effective at fast / repetitive motions.
I know if I make more of a claw with my hand just in space and try to move the fingernail using the last joint before the nail vs straight finger the claw technique feels more bound up and less precise.

Yes very true, leads to a bit of conflict though in playing Irish jigs as it would be nice to dampen the bass strings with the palm but that isn't possible while keeping fingers uncurled, I may have to cheat and solve that problem by using old 5th and 6th strings.

[Andyrondack]

Originally Posted by rick-slo

If you are just doing some run on the upper strings you often can steady your hand with the thumb on a base string. Wrist bounce is one factor that can slow you down.

No for the particular piece that needed speeding up it is all picking back and forth accross the strings while holding simple chords.

[rick-slo]

Originally Posted by Andyrondack

No for the particular piece that needed speeding up it is all picking back and forth accross the strings while holding simple chords.

Got video of someone playing it or a tab?

[Aspiring]

I'm still trying to find the right contortions to move my body in to make this work so I'll caveat with that.

But I'm currently trying to find a position that also lets my hand go a little more parallel to the strings with the fingers stretched out which would still allow palm muting and bring the thumb a little more towards the bridge for the bass strings

Originally Posted by Andyrondack

Yes very true, leads to a bit of conflict though in playing Irish jigs as it would be nice to dampen the bass strings with the palm but that isn't possible while keeping fingers uncurled, I may have to cheat and solve that problem by using old 5th and 6th strings.

[Andyrondack]

Originally Posted by rick-slo

Got video of someone playing it or a tab?

Not the way I play it, but it seems sorted now, I'll post a recording sometime soon.