Just when we think most major neck engineering developments have been launched, we are once again reminded of the evergreen creativity of guitarists and the instrument’s ability to adapt to boundary-pushing experiments.
The case in point is Donn Aaron’s Bubble Harmonics Technique – inspired by Eddie Van Halen and Ynwgie Malmsteen, Bubble Harmonics applied an ethereal delay-like harmonic to a given note, without using an actual delay effect.
Now, we are happy to introduce you to another tool that was discovered and developed by a daring guitarist: the alternative hybrid selection technique.
The brainchild of international masterclass guitarist, teacher and tutor Thiago Trinsi, Alternate Hybrid Picking works exactly as the name suggests: it combines the standard two-string hybrid technique with an additional Alternate Picking maneuver to create a completely new approach.
A relatively simple combination that may have you wondering “Why hasn’t this been done before?” but one that is rarely used or even called a formal technique. As you can imagine, alternate hybrid selection opens up a huge range of creative possibilities for players – an end goal, according to Trinsi, that was key in developing the technique.
“I’ve always been drawn to the unique sound of various techniques and my playing style tends to be more intermittent than linear,” he said. guitar world. “I looked for a tool that would allow me to create cascading effects and allow for quick transitions while playing between two or more strings and over multiple intervals.
“Basically the inspiration was based on a need for something different related to how I choose the notes. My goal was to incorporate extra notes into chord outlines without being limited to a particular arpeggio shape. My desire for a new sound was driven by my passion for soloing and the desire to bring to life the unusual combinations I hear in my head when exploring musical ideas.
So how exactly does it work? As Trinsi demonstrates, hybrid alternate picking is about the picking hand: an alternate downward pick on one string is followed by an upward “pop” using the second finger on another. Repeat that in quick succession, and you’ve got yourself a full-fledged alternate hybrid picking run. Once mastered, the technique can then be applied through larger solos, songs and riffs to introduce new sonic flavors.
Make no mistake about it, though – the logistics of this technique make it harder to tackle than you might think, especially when trying to fit it seamlessly into a larger musical context. Yet, as Trinsi demonstrates, its applications make it a technique worth exploring.
As for how Trinsi himself uses his technique, he suggests a few different applications, ranging from linking legato licks to each other and moving between chord tones, to transitioning between shapes and scales.
Ultimately, the impact of a technique will be determined by its ability to aid the playing of regular guitarists. Judging by Trinsi’s thorough demonstration, alternative hybrid breeding promises to be a truly eye-opening tool to have in the locker.
“I believe that this technique, like all other traditional guitar techniques, has its own sound quality. It’s not just another thing in our arsenal,” insists Trinsi. “With this technique you can revitalize an old Am7 pentatonic scale with a modern twist.
“You can seamlessly switch from playing arpeggios to playing horizontal scale lines in octaves without having to change technique, simply by repeating the first two notes as the third note moves, opening up endless possibilities creative combinations around chords and scales.”
The Alternate Hybrid Technique sound recalls Trinsi’s greatest influences and pays homage to the guitar heroes who made him the player he is today. Citing Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, Yngwie Malmsteen, Eric Johnson and Greg Howe as standout inspirations, Trinsi reflects their “unique way of expressing themselves through flawless technique that inspired me to strive for an equally flawless performance. “.
Trinsi’s long playing history has undoubtedly helped him in his quest to develop the technique in question. Having started playing the guitar at the age of 12, he quickly fell in love with the instrument, and then had two jobs to finance private lessons.
After becoming a well-respected tutor in his region – and taking part in a series of international masterclasses – Trinsi then realized his dream of sharing the stage with his heroes Greg Howe, Brett Garsed and Andy Timmons in 2010. As such, it’s fair to say that Thiago knows his way around a handle and is something of an authority on technique.
According to Trinsi, this could also be the start of an alternative hybrid picking. With an in-depth book on the technique currently in the works, the Brazilian guitarist is already looking for ways to push the parameter of alternative hybrid picking even further. As an example, Trinsi hopes to develop the technique to create an “echo delay effect” in the near future.
Head to Thiago Trinsi official website (opens in a new tab) to keep up to date with his work.