hey, i seem to be having a LOT of trouble. when i play like rythem galloping or shred etc i lock up my whole arm. this is frustrating and is holding me back from being able to play a lot of stuff properly.... can anyopne give me any tips? also downpiking

Find a fast-paced riff that you know how to play, or can learn how to play, and put it at half-tempo. Then master it at that tempo while fixing your picking technique. Then gradually increase the BPM, but about 5 or 10 until you get back up to normal tempo. Also, try to use a camera or something to see what you're doing while you pick, it always looks different from 2nd Person view.

yeah, slow picking to ensure youre using your wrist at low speeds and then once technique is down gradually get faster.
Ensure you are using your wrist and try not to be to rigid, its got to flow but be precise.
My favorite picking hand is dimebag's, go on youtube and watch him playing fucking hostile. Thats what you gotta be aiming for, as that will help you with the (semi) galloping

QUOTE(Insanity @ May 4 2007, 08:55 PM) [snapback]375980[/snapback]slow it right down and use a metronome. and as you get better you will be able to go faster.
as the muscles in your wrist develop it will get easier
+1, practice slowly and gradually speed up, once you feel comfortable, but don't try going to fast at first

slow it right down and use a metronome. and as you get better you will be able to go faster.
as the muscles in your wrist develop it will get easier

what it is is when i am double down picking or gallop picking fast i end up using my whole arm and no wirst

I sometimes get in in my wrist and lower thumb bit when I play to the rats and other similar type riffs, the bit at 33 seconds on to the rats, I find its because im pushing to hard up against the back of the neck. Dont know how you get it in your arm if thats what you meant But warmup is a good thing to do beforehand

warm up and stretch before you begin shredding to get the blood flowing and to avoid stiffness

Are you saying that your arm tenses up a lot when you tremolo pick fast?

I guess his wrist does, so he ends up strumming with his whole arm rather than lightly picking using his wrist as the motion. Am I correct?

im unsure what your problem is. Are you saying your wrist locks up or your arm?