Complete Guide for Hybrid Picking

Prashant Aswani unleashes this versatile, yet highly underutilized picking technique

Hybrid Picking is an incredible technique to develop one's musical ideas. It's not just for soloing as you see in many modern day players, but an amazing way to create parts, compositions, and textures that can be added to any genre of music. In this course, Prashant will demonstrate the way to start this process and go through every aspect of mastering Hybrid picking. He will cover all the fundamentals of using a pick and middle finger, a pick and middle and ring finger and of course a pick and pinky.

He will also cover playing techniques and exercises that utilize all 6 strings using both harmony, arpeggios and linear methods. This series is designed to open your mind and guitar palette. Every element is designed to inspire you to look at your fingers in a different way so that you can progress as a player. Learn more or start the course with membership

Course Details
30 Lessons
7 Hour+ Runtime
Tabs (gpx, pdf)
Playalong Tracks
HD+ Video
90 day guarantee
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Like every JamPlay course, The Complete Guide for Hybrid Picking features world-class instruction and a dynamic learning system to help you succeed quickly.

It's not just videos, and not just downloads. You'll get:

  • Interactive tabs, notation, and fretboard
  • JamTracks for play along practice
  • Ask-a-teacher functionality
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  • Note-taking feature
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Meet Prashant Aswani

Meet Prashant Aswani

Few musicians can say they've had such a diverse background in music, ranging from Indian classical to rock fusion, and many genres in between. Even fewer can say they recorded their first solo album while still attending Berklee College of Music. Prashant Aswani, however, can attest to these, and even more, jaw-dropping experiences.

Prashant began his inspiring musical career at a very young age. He began playing tabla guitar at the age of eight, and took weekly lessons for the next five years. But it was the acoustic guitar Prashant received at the age of 13 that has ultimately shaped his career, and he hasn't put it down since. Almost immediately, Prashant began writing music. In high school, Prashant joined the Lexington High School Jazz Band, instructed by Jeff Leonard. Leonard took an interest in Prashant, and began teaching him how to read chords and charts, which was his first formal training in guitar. Throughout his childhood, Prashant found influences in Zakir Hussain, AC/DC, Rush, Led Zeppelin, Randy Rhodes, and Yngwie Malmsteen, to name a few.

After high school, Prashant attended Berklee College of Music, and received the Guitar Night honors for rock fusion. He has opened for Andy Timmons, John Petrucci, and Steve Morse while performing at the Berklee Performance Center. During his time at Berklee, Prashant began recording his compositions, demoing "Blizzard", "Hiding Under the Covers", and "Data" Mark Varney of Legato Records became interested in the project, and Prashant went on to record his first solo album entitled "Revelation" produced by Greg Howe.

Since recording"Revelation" Prashant has become a worldwide sensation. "Revelation" was re-released by Virtuoso Records in 1998, and by SoundHolic Records in 1999 in Japan. He began doing clinics/concerts and writing guitar columns for Italy's biggest magazine, Axe Guitar Magazine. He has been featured in print around the world, including Young Guitar Magazine.

Prashant has toured and recorded with Justin Timberlake, Christina Milian, Herbie Hancock, Steve Gadd, Darrell Diaz, Greg Howe, Aj Mclean, Jose Pasillas, Rhonda Smith, and has recorded Four Solo albums. Currently, Prashant is the featured artist on iFrankenstein Movie Soundtrack (Lakeshore Entertainment) and is producing AJ Mclean's (Back Street Boys) solo album. In addition he is currently recording his fifth solo album with Jose Pasillas (Incubus) and Rhonda Smith (Prince, Jeff Beck).

Unlock the Full Potential of your Picking

This series is designed to open your mind and guitar palette. Every element is designed to inspire you to look at your fingers in a different way so that you can progress as a player. Prashant will demonstrate how to start this process and go through every aspect to mastering hybrid picking.

You will learn fundamentals like using a pick and middle finger, a pick and middle and ring finger and of course a pick and pinky. He will cover playing techniques and exercises that utilize all 6 strings using both harmony, arpeggios and linear methods. So if you are in a rut or are ready to take your playing to a whole new dimension then this Hybrid Picking course is the one for you. This course offers 30 lessons covering 7+ hours of material in step-by-step, digestible presentation.

Full Course Listing

This course offers 30 lessons covering 7+ hours of material in step-by-step, digestible presentation. View the full course outline below.

1

Series Introduction

Welcome to The Complete Guide to Hybrid Picking with Prashant Aswani. In this introduction, Prashant will discuss the purpose of this series, what he aims to teach and the tools and techniques you need under your belt to get started.

2:56 Runtime

0.0 Difficulty

2

Proper Hand Positioning

To get started on hybrid picking, we first have to make sure we're positioning our picking hand properly. The hand can change slightly based on whether or not you're muting or going for a more open sound. Prashant gets us setup with the correct positioning, no matter what type of sound we're going for!

2:44 Runtime

1.5 Difficulty

3

The Middle Finger (Adjacent String)

The best way to start hybrid picking is using the finger closest to your pick - the middle finger. Prashant shows us the techique and some practice exercises to get it down!

21:55 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

4

The Middle Finger (Linear Phrase)

Now that we're somewhat comfortable using a pick and the middle finger, it's time to add a line. This linear line will help you solidify this new technique you have learned!

13:40 Runtime

3.0 Difficulty

5

Pick and Two Fingers

It's time to add a second finger to the mix! In this lesson, Prashant builds on a previous lick so that you can put more of your focus on adding your ring finger.

17:03 Runtime

3.0 Difficulty

6

Hybrid with Triads

Now that your hand is getting used to using multiple fingers, it's time to add in some triads. Similar to the last lesson, we are going to build upon the pick and two finger technique by learning a root, 3rd and 5th ascending arpeggio.

14:59 Runtime

3.0 Difficulty

View this Lesson
7

Sliding Positions

We've gotten some work in using our middle and ring fingers, now it's time to connect these new techniques to some familiar territory - in this example, it's sliding positions.

15:33 Runtime

3.0 Difficulty

8

Slide with a Line

This lesson will get you comfortable with string skipping and plucking the adjacent string, by adding a line to your sliding.

13:57 Runtime

3.0 Difficulty

9

Piano Stabs

Using the hybrid technique to play chords can help you to emulate the sound and feel of piano stabs. This is a great way to add feel and dynamics to your playing.

26:58 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

10

Hybrid Chords with Arpeggios

Let's take the shapes we learned in the last lesson and create some independence by arpeggiating the chords. The key here is to create a balanced note volume. The strength of the fingered note should match the picked note.

18:09 Runtime

3.0 Difficulty

11

Play Your Call

Now it's time to apply some of these new techniques to a real song situation. This riff is from Prashant's song 'Your Call', and it requires consistent syncing of the middle finger and pick.

14:04 Runtime

3.0 Difficulty

12

Play Inner Conflict

In this lesson, we learn to apply hybrid techiques to a song using Prashant's tune - 'Inner Conflict'.

17:31 Runtime

3.0 Difficulty

13

Play Cloudy Day

Here's one of Prashant's songs - 'Cloudy Day' - that allows us to explore using pedal notes with hybrid technique. Consistent string dynamics is the name of the game here!

20:07 Runtime

3.0 Difficulty

14

The Riff

Here's a multi-part riff that allows us to use some of the hybrid techniques we've learned in the course so far. The key is to seamlessly move between the two parts, keeping the time and dynamics consistent.

10:13 Runtime

3.0 Difficulty

15

Transitioning Between Strings

Certain patterns used in hybrid picking can really be a boost to your guitar parts writing. This progression shows a pattern that can be used in almost any progresstion using four strings. Because there is an open string here, once again consistent dynamics and volume control become the focus.

7:19 Runtime

3.0 Difficulty

16

Hybrid Barring

Now it's time to get into playing some licks! This lesson also introduces us to the hybrid barring technique. Using hybrid picking on barred notes gives you a stand out dynamic that isn't achievable using just a pick.

12:11 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

17

Double Barring Sliding Positions

Sliding positions and keeping your hands synced up can be a tricky proposition. However, with this lick it can be fun and also give you a wicked and aggressive lick pattern that can make any solo go over the top.

14:16 Runtime

3.0 Difficulty

18

Double Barring Pentatonic

This part of the hybrid technique encompasses moving across all 6 strings and staying in one position. Remember, speed is not the goal here - it is accuracy and dynamics!

10:25 Runtime

3.0 Difficulty

19

Double Barring Diagonally

Time to switch positions in a diagonal way! Using the barring, hybrid style, let's learn a line that encompasses notes from the A string to the high E string. Remember, the goal is to make it smooth and avoid double stops!

11:56 Runtime

3.5 Difficulty

20

Fast Linear Double Barring

Now that we are comfortable with moving positions, let's take it to another level by adding some more strings. This will challenge the syncing of your pick and middle finger, so even timing is the key!

14:56 Runtime

3.5 Difficulty

21

Slide, String Skip and Barring

Time to incorporate all three left hand techniques using the hybrid style. We are getting closer to the ultimate goal of Hybrid technique being as familiar as picking only!

19:32 Runtime

4.0 Difficulty

22

Tremolo Technique with Hybrid

This technique is meant to simulate classical/flamenco tremolo technique. The focus here will be to have your picking hand relaxed, and your dynamics and speed be consistent.

11:16 Runtime

3.5 Difficulty

23

Tremolo Using Four Strings

Now let's get tricky and complicated, creating a new technique for parts in songs. The four string tremolo is a tremendous technique that can create a flow or rhythm and/or dynamics in your compositions.

17:28 Runtime

3.5 Difficulty

24

Fast Lick to Get the Hands Going

Sometimes it's good to have a lick that can give you a flurry of speed to finish off a solo. This lick incorporates syncing of the middle finger and the pick, while giving an explosive sound.

8:47 Runtime

4.0 Difficulty

25

Linear Hybrid Picked Pattern

Here's a great line to get you into some advanced lead territory. But don't worry! You can play this slow as well, and still gain all of the great technical concepts that will advance your hybrid picking.

23:07 Runtime

3.5 Difficulty

26

One Octave Hybrid Arpeggio

Prashant's unique arpeggio technique is the subject of this lesson. Many of the secrets of his fast intervallic playing can be found in the techniques of this lesson.

20:37 Runtime

4.0 Difficulty

27

Difficult Hybrid Lick 1

Let's get into some advanced territory! The first of the difficult hybrid picked licks incoporates string skipping, arpeggios and some chromatic flair!

15:26 Runtime

3.5 Difficulty

28

Difficult Hybrid Lick 2

Our next advanced lick uses arpeggios, plus a hybrid picked linear line. Remember, learn it slow first, then you can speed it up!

16:13 Runtime

3.5 Difficulty

29

Difficult Hybrid Lick 3

Lick number 3 is a melodic, repeating, hybrid lick.

15:01 Runtime

3.5 Difficulty

30

Difficult Hybrid Lick 4

The final lick and lesson in this series is a high register descending scaler lick. Unlike most of the licks taught thus far, this one gets high up on the neck and has a decidedly solo-esque sound.

11:48 Runtime

3.5 Difficulty