Frank Gambale’s Speed Picking system fundamentally changed the landscape of rock, jazz, and fusion guitar. It bridges the gap between the aggressive attack of picking and the smooth connectivity of legato. By studying the top foundational exercises outlined in his historic books and PDFs, maintaining a relaxed wrist, and prioritizing accuracy over raw speed, you will unlock a completely new level of freedom on the fretboard.
Traditional alternate picking requires strict down-and-up motions. Gambale’s system breaks these rules to maximize efficiency. This article breaks down the core mechanics of his speed picking system, how to implement it, and how to structure your practice routine. What is Frank Gambale’s Economy Picking?
When discussing the search results, two books dominate the conversation. frank gambale speed picking pdf top
Traditional alternate picking forces you to make a "down-up-down-up" motion regardless of where you are going. If you change strings, you have to cross over the string with an escape stroke. Gambale’s dictates that when you change strings, you follow through. If you play a downstroke on the G string and need to go to the B string, your pick is already moving in the down direction—use it.
Specific exercises to train the right hand to "sweep" while the left hand plays linear passages. What is Frank Gambale’s Economy Picking
Check your local library’s interlibrary loan for Speed Picking by Frank Gambale (ISBN: 978-0793571389) or purchase the high-resolution PDF via Hal Leonard’s official eStore.
Instead of jumping over a string to execute an alternate stroke, your pick pushes through the current string and rests on the next one in a single, fluid motion. Why Choose Economy Picking Over Alternate Picking? Alternate Picking Economy Picking (Gambale Style) Physical Effort High (Requires constant wrist rotation) Low (Uses natural gravity and momentum) Speed Ceiling Limited by muscle twitch speed Highly scalable due to fewer motions Tone Percussive and aggressive Fluid, legato-like, and smooth Learning Curve Intuitive but physically demanding Mentally challenging at first, physically easier Core Mechanics: How to Practice Speed Picking If you change strings
Master the Sweep: The Ultimate Guide to Frank Gambale's Speed Picking System
Before you download any PDF, you must understand the DNA of Gambale’s system. Standard shredding usually relies on "alternate picking" (down-up-down-up) regardless of string changes. Gambale identified a fatal flaw in this: crossing strings with strict alternate picking creates a "stutter."
