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Step 1
Plug your guitar into an amplifier. If you use distortion, plug the pedal into the guitar and amp. Turn on the amp, wait for the amp to be properly warmed up and then turn on the distortion pedal.
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Step 2
Rest the palm of your picking hand gently against the strings near the edge of the guitar's bridge. If you move your hand too far forward, it deadens the string and you lose the clean tone.
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Step 3
Match your technique to the song you're playing. For songs with medium tempos--Deep Purple's "Smoke On the Water" is a classic example--alternate picking does just fine. On the other hand, pile driving rockers like Deep Purple's "Highway Star" or Led Zep's "Whole Lotta Love" require extensive downward strumming.
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Step 4
Master the proper sound through regular practice. Start off with a slower song and then work your way up to faster pieces or use the pinkie on your picking hand until you're ready to graduate to the full palm method.







