T is for… Tremolo picking

The second best exercise for your wrist, tremolo picking is a surf guitar essential. The technique was popularised by our old amigo Dick Dale. It’s since become a staple of metal guitar which is one reason why Dick is referred to as The Father of Heavy Metal by some folk.

The other reason is sheer volume (see ‘A’). Tremolo picking basically involves picking a guitar string back and forth quickly. The same technique is used by mandolin players. You can see Jason Lee of Next Level Guitar demonstrating tremolo picking on this clip.

So, what’s the other best exercise for your wrist? Why, skipping of course. What did you think we meant?

T is also for… The Trashmen

The Trashmen’s annoying classic Surfin’ Bird was a US top ten hit in 1963. A staple of Vietnam movie soundtracks, Surfin’ Bird was a mash-up of two songs by a band called The Rivingtons - namely, Papa-Oom-Mow-Mow and The Bird's The Word. The song’s appearance on Family Guy (click here, you know you want to…) in 2008 took it to number eight of the iTunes rock top ten.