Dive into the power of downpicking—essential for achieving that punchy, high-energy punk sound
In this Gibson App video, Irene Ketikidi sets beginners on course to get a solid handle on downpicking—the action of creating straight-ahead eighth or sixteenth-note rhythms using only downstrokes, sometimes in tandem with palm muting. It’s a staple of punk rock.
Downpicking is also one of the fundamental techniques in metal, but those guys often sprinkle in tricky gallops and down-up-down-up picking techniques to create attractive syncopations, which propel the riffs into a new section of the music. “Chugging” is a term you’ll encounter that refers to this approach.
However, it’s all very related in terms of basic technique. It’s probably a safe bet to say that, in contrast to metal, punk bands will more often allow the downstrokes to ring out until the next attack on the downstroke. But there are no rules; it’s punk and metal, after all. Classic Judas Priest tunes use many slower downpicked parts, and plenty of black metal tunes feature the more punk-ish “wall of sound” approach, but they’re often using a technique called tremolo picking.
Ketikidi mentions the Ramones, Misfits, and Dead Kennedys as bands to check out for speedy downpicking goodness. The late Metallica bassist, Cliff Burton, introduced the other members of the band to the Misfits, and they went on to cover “Last Caress/Green Hell” on the 1987 EP Garage Days Re-Revisited.
Kirk Hammett said during this Gibson TV episode of Metal and Monsters, “I have to say that Glenn Danzig and the guys in the Misfits have been flying the flag for the genre the entire time. They’ve been indoctrinating people through their music this entire time, and I love them for that.”
Be sure to investigate the new book from Gibson Publishing featuring Kirk’s enormous guitar collection—those instruments have endured tons of chugging.
Previously, Irene Ketikidi discussed how Chuck Berry’s foundational style influenced the style and guitar sound of the Sex Pistols. Be sure to check out that Gibson App video tutorial, too, as it also features some downpicking concepts.
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