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Posted by: Nick6373 Jun 28 2015, 04:14 AM

Hey guys, I was wondering about the most effective way to turn around, or start to go back down the arpeggio.
I've noticed when I get to the point I either pick to hard and then end up going up through the string then hitting it again on the way back down or not picking it hard enough.
Would it be more effective to start going back downwards on the top note?

for example\
e 13p17p13 ----------13h17
B ------------15-----15
G-----------------14 pick downwards on this note or still keep going upwards then pick downwards on the second 15 on B
D
A
E

Thanks so much everyone!

Posted by: Opetholic Jun 28 2015, 10:52 AM

This is a very good question. I would like to also hear the opinions of the instructors on this one. I myself prefer to pick that note upwards and go down on the B string. But that's because I find it very difficult to pick the note on G string down.. Let's see what others think

Posted by: Kristofer Dahl Jun 28 2015, 11:14 AM

I would use a downstroke on that note. (14th fret G string). However I rely heavily on hammer-ons when doing these kinds of arpeggios - so at high tempos I might not even pick/sweep the preceding note (15th fret b string) - and this gives me time to change picking direction. Let me know if it makes sense?

Posted by: jstcrsn Jun 28 2015, 02:23 PM

It ends up being fifty-fifty on how to pick it,just cause it works for an instructor does not mean it will work for you. That being said , I would try to be able to practice picking both ways as well as a full legato lick with out any picking at all. It might take some extra time this way( up front) , but your hand will start gravitating towards one direction and you will find what works for you, rather than trying to match someone else,s playing style( you could spend years trying to train yourself for something it will never do).

Posted by: Nick6373 Jun 28 2015, 08:02 PM

Thanks for the advice guys, yeah it makes sense Kris!
So you're saying hammering on everynote instead of picking would be a good idea jstcrsn?

Posted by: jstcrsn Jun 29 2015, 12:43 AM

yes , it would be a good skill to have. This lick fully legato is tricky do to the fact of having to mute all the extra things that can make noise. As far as picking it, practice both ways slow and perfect and I think before you know it , your fingers will gravitate to one way over the other , rather than trying to train them to do something they might not want to do. They might do both just the same and that would be good

Posted by: Nick6373 Jun 29 2015, 02:05 AM

I'm actually getting pretty good at sweeping these 3 string shapes, not insane or anything, but sort of fast and pretty clean.
I can't do legato with them at all though xD, it's hard to get a loud enough sound using just hammer ons.

If you don't mind, any advice for sweeping shapes bigger then 3 strings? Because that's where I start to have trouble.
Thanks man

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jun 29 2015, 05:27 PM

There is not a big secret when playing Sweep Picking. If you know the right direction that you need to use on the licks and start the right hand movement from your wrist, you are on the right track. Then you need to practice a lot, using metronome. Repetitions is the key to get used and comfortable with this technique.

When playing the lower strings (4, 5 and 6) I also mute this strings a bit with the palm of my right hand. This helps to get a clearer sound and it it is also a safe way to avoid unwanted noises. Another thing that I noted on the masters when I was starting to work on this technique and imitated is a slightly circular movement done with the right hand when sweeping the strings. This trick makes the pick and hand sweep smoother. Check out some Jason Becker, Friedman and Malmsteen videos and notice this detail.

Posted by: Nick6373 Jun 29 2015, 11:31 PM

Thanks so much for the help everyone!
I'll look at their techniques, tahnks Gabriel.

Posted by: Caelumamittendum Jul 2 2015, 03:07 PM

Here's how I would play them:

Posted by: Nick6373 Jul 2 2015, 06:28 PM

Thanks Caelumamittendum, I really appreciate the video !

Posted by: Caelumamittendum Jul 2 2015, 06:45 PM

No problem, Nick. Thought it might be useful. I am by no means good at sweep picking however!