In the video below, Paul Gilbert demonstrates a cool technique that all guitar players should have in their arsenal; picking 3 over 4.

So what does picking 3 over 4 mean? The phrase Paul uses in his demonstration is comprised of three sixteenth notes placed over a division of four. “It starts in kind of an odd place, but if you do it enough times and end it right, it all works out,” he says.

This exercise is a great picking challenge and a wonderful way to build your technique. The backbone here is alternate picking; you’ll start by strumming down, up, down, but since it’s a three note pattern, it will constantly be reversed. “Everything you once knew is now backwards,” says Paul. “We somehow have to lock this constant strumming motion to a three note pattern, which causes us to do different three note strokes in relation to the left hand part.”

Paul admits that it can be difficult to think about each individual motion. His advice is to instead focus more on keeping the picking motion constant, and to slow the entire phrase down if you’re still having a hard time nailing it. He even suggests exaggerating the strokes to help make sure you have the rhythm down. Eventually the motions will get smaller as you speed up, but it’s good to establish your coordination in the meantime.