Hey everyone!
After asking a lot of people in forums and face to face, I think I might finally have solved my biggest problem when it comes to alternate picking.

I usually use too much force and use it in a wrong way, so that I accidentally hit the next string on the wrong side when changing strings.
I created an image to illustrate what I mean. From a desinger´s standpoint it´s an utterly poor creation, but I think you get the idea. The first image shows how I did it and how I think it is wrong:

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/443/s...htmovement.png/[/img]

The next illustration shows what I no think is the right way to do it. You not only move the pick from side to side, but also lift it over the next string so that you can hit the respective string on the right side.

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/38/peakmotion.png/[/img]

Now, if you think about it this way, another question arises: Does picking multiple notes on one string differ essentially from picking notes while changing the strings? I created yet two more illustrations to better show what I mean.

The first one again would be the "wrong" approach:

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/440/o...ngstraight.png/

The second one would represent the "right" approach, where you also lift the string:

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/824/o...g8movement.png/



I hope that you can view the images and that you get my idea. Now, my questions again are:
How do you "think" your picking, especially when it comes to changing strings?
And do you use the same motion when playing multiple notes on one string and when changing strings?

Looking forward to your responses!

Best wishes,

Tobi

Hi Tobi, this all makes perfect sense and it is true that you have to slightly alter, or add motions when it comes to changing strings.

When you're just picking on one string then you can just stay in one plane of movement. The first picture you added demonstrates the picking action known as 'outside' picking, because your pick has to move to the furthest edge of the string and it has to travel 'over' it first to get there. In order for this to happen the pick does need to somehow lift over the string. Some people control this just with their thumb and forefinger but some people use the whole wrist. Some people move the forearm as well.

The opposite phenomena to that is 'inside' picking where you would have to do something like picking the B string with a down stroke and then picking the G string with an up stroke, then picking the B again with a down stroke. The pick is now moving from the edge of the strings which are nearest to each other. This also means that the movement is quite restricted.

I personally find inside picking the most difficult. Some people find outside picking more difficult.

If anyone finds the secret of inside picking then don't be shy.. post it !

Todd here Yup. "Digging in" or picking to hard and going past the string line is something many players struggle with at first. I discuss this in great detail in my Instructor forum/notes/video chats. There are pix as well of pick angle and such.

http://bit.ly/twtgmc

Also, yes, picking across strings (String Traverse) is quite different than picking on one string. It's an art unto itself.

It's something that helps to have video/images. Here are some clips of me alternate/economic picking. Take a look at the right hand and notice the angle of attack. Also notice how little force I"m exerting and the minimal picking motion. All these things come in to play when alternate picking.