What is hybrid picking? Before I answer that question I will start off by saying that it is the singular technique that helped me advance my playing, it redefined my sound, and opened my world to sounds I was not yet privy too. In short, hybrid picking is the combined usage of the pick (held between the thumb and index finger) and middle plus ring finger to pluck the strings. The combined result is the balanced attack of the pick as well as the colourful snappiness of the fingers.
Noted hybrid pickers include Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top, Danny Gatton (cited by Guitar World as the greatest unknown guitar player in the world), Brad Paisley, Joe Bonamassa and Ian Thornley of Big Wreck.
The famous La Grange riff from ZZ Top is a fantastic entry into the world of hybrid picking.
At first glance this riff is deceptively simple. No more than two notes are played at once and it is entirely contained between 3 strings. It is entirely possible to play this riff with just a pick and it would probably sound fine, but it would not sound like the original recording. The trick here is to hybrid pick. By delegating the pick to play the open A string and the middle and ring finger to pluck the 4th and 3rd string, the sound transforms. The snappy attack from the fingers adds a twang and dare I say charm to the riff and is contrasted by the weight of the pick on the open 5th string. This hybrid sound is nuanced and full of character. By simply taking advantage of the digits on our right hand which otherwise would be dormant, we can use what we have and create, well magic.
Other uses for hybrid picking include arpeggios (splitting a chord into individual notes):
Chickin’ Pickin’ to obtain the cliche country twang sound:
In this example the palm muted notes are alternate picked, the double stop is played by the ring and middle finger. This sound is hard to replicate, you could, in theory use an upstroke on the double stop. Yet when the attempt is made, it simply does not sound the same. My main theory for this reason is that there is a delay albeit a small one from the time the pick hits the bottom string to the string above. The result is a sound with less punch. The combined attack of the two notes, played instantaneously by the fingers has grit, twang, and all the country guitar goodness you could ask for.
My last and favorite use is playing open voiced or spread triad chords.
In open voiced chords the A string is skipped, the result is a wider open sound. By playing the bass note with the pick and the higher two notes with the middle and ring finger, a harmonious sound is achieved. By working through the various inversions and voicings, a new approach to playing chords can be quickly added to your palette. These voicings blend well with other instruments without muddying up the sound.
So, why do I use hybrid picking? After many years of classical guitar where I learned to play fingerstyle, followed by a rebellious stage of rock/blues guitar where I played exclusively with a pick. I found myself at an impasse. The solution was simple. Combine the two approaches I had learned over the years. The result continues to be a source of inspiration, and some days a source of pride. The sound is unmistakable, instantly recognizable, and within a few months of practice can be added into your playing as well.