The quest for speed in guitar playing often leads to the fascinating realm of hyperpicking. In the world of fast guitar techniques, hyperpicking stands out, and we’ve even captured some incredible speeds on film. One example that comes to mind is John Taylor, who clocked in at an astounding 24 notes per second, or 12 round-trip motions per second, in a clip we recorded. You can see this incredible speed here:
John Taylor hyperpicking guitar technique at incredible speed
However, when we talk about hyperpicking, it’s important to understand that the difference between 10, 11, or even 12 notes per second is less about a dramatic shift in required ability and more about mastering the fundamental motion. Reaching any of these speeds signifies that you’re engaging the hyperpicking motion. Once you’ve unlocked this motion, minor speed variations become secondary to achieving smoothness and control. If you can tap your fingers or press a button at these rapid speeds, you’re likely already capable of hyperpicking. The real challenge then shifts to executing this technique deliberately and musically at various speeds, rather than just pushing for maximum velocity.
Some suggest methods to induce hyperpicking, like specific physical exercises or mental tricks. While these might work for some, my experience suggests hyperpicking can be more intuitive. I’ve personally witnessed individuals achieve hyperpicking on their very first attempt, without any prior preparation or warm-up routines.
In fact, our team member @Adam once demonstrated this in a surprising way. In a casual office moment, while jokingly mimicking awkward stiffness, his arm spontaneously began moving at hyperpicking speed. It wasn’t even a conscious attempt to play guitar! Recognizing the motion instantly, we grabbed a guitar and filmed it. Sure enough, the motion was there, clocking in at over 20 notes per second. While his accuracy wasn’t perfect, and the execution lacked smoothness, the core hyperpicking motion was undeniably present.
Interestingly, while I haven’t managed to consistently replicate hyperpicking in my arm for extended periods, I’ve discovered a peculiar parallel: I can perform a similar rapid motion with my neck and head. Adam also noted this ability, and it resonated with me immediately. As a kid, I used to jokingly vibrate my head back and forth rapidly by tensing my neck muscles – a hyperpicking motion, but in my neck! I can still do this on command, without any warm-up. I can also tense those same muscles and remain still, highlighting a subtle control mechanism at play that I haven’t fully grasped in the context of arm hyperpicking yet.
So, if this neck motion is indeed analogous to arm hyperpicking, I can confidently say I haven’t yet fully unlocked consistent hyperpicking in my guitar playing. Whether this is a physical limitation or simply a technique I haven’t completely mastered remains unclear. However, if you’re already capable of producing the hyperpicking motion with your arm, focus less on pushing for incrementally faster speeds. You’re already operating at an incredibly high velocity. The true mastery of hyperpicking lies in developing endurance, smoothness, and the ability to apply this technique musically and on demand.
