Dave

First of all, I look forward to your lessons. I am new to both GMC and guitar, and I have been watching a few of your videos for the last couple of days. I was so impressed with your skill and overall website functionality that I decided to start lessons here! I pray that I gain your knowledge and skill as easily as I gained your name! The main reason I am writing is that I stumbled across your lessons on sweeping and was curious how firm you would recommend I hold my pick for this particular technique and even in general playing.

Thanks Dave
P.S. I'm hoping you don't mind if I call u Dave?

Thanks a lot for your kind words my friend!
I'm glad you joined the website and am looking forward to serving you.
While sweeping, I don't really exaggerated the pressure of my pick. The pick does need to be held in place of course, but don't overdo it.
The key is to have enough of the pick outside of you fingers as the pick needs to play inside of every strings.
The left hand movement is exactly the same as if you were simply strumming a chord.
The difficult thing is to synchronize your left hand with the right one.
That will come with time.
I hope this helps!
Let me know if there is anything more I can do...