Hi Muris, I have a question for you

When you are playing something like 1-2-3-4-3-2-1-2-3-4-3-2-1 (1 being index, 2 middle etc.)

Should you keep the fingers pressed on the strings or should you release them and only have one finger pressed on the string at once?

Edit: i'm talking about alternate picking of course

To clarify about keeping the fingers pressed down, if you played 1-2, you would put your index finger down, then your middle finger down for the second note while keeping your index finger down where it was. If you played 1-2-3-4, you would eventually have your all for fingers down on the previous notes played. Then when going down 4-3-2-1, you would just release each finger without having to put the fingers back on.

I am asking this because I have played violin for many years before I started guitar, and on violin you should keep all the fingers pressed on the strings. This is how I've been playing guitar for the last year. But I noticed that now that my alternate picking is much faster, I am naturally lifting my fingers and only keeping one on the string for a note. It seems that my picking is much cleaner this way.

I realize for legato you would want to keep fingers on, but what about alternate picking specifically?

Thanks very much.

That is VERY good question and I'm glad you're bringing it in!

As you said,for legato is probably most natural to keep fingers down,
at least index finger cause it's not stepping on the way for other fingers.
But when you're playing picking thing are pretty different
and might varies from person to person.
I examined examples you posted and here is what I found on my side:

1,2,3,4,1,2,3,4,1,2,3,4,1,2,3,4...
I lift index finger all the time.

4,3,2,1,4,3,2,1,4,3,2,1,4,3,2,1...
index is laying on the string all the time but still does
some kind of a tiny movement,like it has been following rhythmic.

1,2,3,4,3,2,1,2,3,4,3,2,1,2,3,4...
I keep all fingers on the string when possible but now all of them
are making this small rhythmic motion,tiny moves.

That's just what I've found,it has much to do with our brain and muscle communication/sync.

But by all means,if you feel comfortable and not limited by the way you're doing it,
then just keep going that way,no need to change one thing.

Thanks Muris, that was a very helpful answer. Unlike you, I'm beginning to lift my index finger on 4-3-2-1 now. But I guess that fine since I should be sticking to whats comfortable. Thanks alot!

You're very welcome and feel free to continue your way,
there's nothing wrong with it.

I heard once that it's all about economy of movement.
I try to work on it anyway, but the sync is pretty hard to get used to.