Alternate Picking
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[[Category:Techniques]] | [[Category:Techniques]] | ||
| - | == Alternate Picking == | ||
| - | Alternate picking is | + | Alternate Picking is a style of picking in which the pick strikes the strings to be played strictly in an up-down-up-down order. It is a useful technique for developing speed owing to its repetitive nature. |
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| + | == The Technique == | ||
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| + | Alternate picking is a way of picking where the pick hits the strings with upstrokes and downstrokes mixed. The mixing is always in the same order, so it's down-up-down-up. It's never down-down-up-up. | ||
When switching strings the movement just goes on. If people want to go double down or double up, when changing strings, they use [[economy picking]]. Here's an example of alternate picking: | When switching strings the movement just goes on. If people want to go double down or double up, when changing strings, they use [[economy picking]]. Here's an example of alternate picking: | ||
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E------------------------------------------------------------------<br> | E------------------------------------------------------------------<br> | ||
B------------------------------------------------------------------<br> | B------------------------------------------------------------------<br> | ||
| - | G---6 (down)--7(up)--6(down)--7(up) | + | G---6 (down)--7(up)--6(down)--7(up)--------------------------------<br> |
| - | D------------------------------5(down)--8(up)--7(down) | + | D------------------------------------5(down)--8(up)--7(down)-------<br> |
A------------------------------------------------------------------<br> | A------------------------------------------------------------------<br> | ||
E------------------------------------------------------------------<br> | E------------------------------------------------------------------<br> | ||
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| + | ==Use== | ||
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| + | Many guitarists use this technique to play through small intervals at speeds which would be impossible to reach with downpicking. It is considered on of the main shred techniques. It is not so commonly used for riffing though as downpicking is believed to give a heavier sound. [[Power Metal]] especially though, uses alternate picking a lot in riffing, to repeat a single note very fast. This is also known as tremolo picking. | ||
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| + | ==Variations== | ||
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| + | ====String Skipping==== | ||
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| + | String skipping is alternate picking, except you jump over strings, i.e. you play three notes on the A string, then three on the G string without playing anything on the D string. [[Paul Gilbert]] uses this technique a lot to alternate pick arpeggios. | ||
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| + | ====Economy Picking==== | ||
| + | <br> | ||
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| + | [[Economy Picking]] is a cross between alternate picking and sweep picking. It is thought to be faster and have a smoother sound, though there is debate as to whether it is better than alternate picking or not. You can see an article about it [[Economy Picking| here]]. | ||
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== Related lessons == | == Related lessons == | ||
| - | + | <br> | |
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| + | [http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/solo-guitar/alternate-picking4/ Pavel - Alternate Picking 4] | ||
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| + | [http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/speed-alternate-picking-lesson1.htm Speedpicking/alternate picking basics] | ||
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| + | [https://www.guitarmasterclass.net/solo-guitar/muris-varajic-alternate-picking/ Muris Varajic Alternate Picking] | ||
Current revision
Alternate Picking is a style of picking in which the pick strikes the strings to be played strictly in an up-down-up-down order. It is a useful technique for developing speed owing to its repetitive nature.
Contents |
The Technique
Alternate picking is a way of picking where the pick hits the strings with upstrokes and downstrokes mixed. The mixing is always in the same order, so it's down-up-down-up. It's never down-down-up-up. When switching strings the movement just goes on. If people want to go double down or double up, when changing strings, they use economy picking. Here's an example of alternate picking:
E------------------------------------------------------------------
B------------------------------------------------------------------
G---6 (down)--7(up)--6(down)--7(up)--------------------------------
D------------------------------------5(down)--8(up)--7(down)-------
A------------------------------------------------------------------
E------------------------------------------------------------------
Use
Many guitarists use this technique to play through small intervals at speeds which would be impossible to reach with downpicking. It is considered on of the main shred techniques. It is not so commonly used for riffing though as downpicking is believed to give a heavier sound. Power Metal especially though, uses alternate picking a lot in riffing, to repeat a single note very fast. This is also known as tremolo picking.
Variations
String Skipping
String skipping is alternate picking, except you jump over strings, i.e. you play three notes on the A string, then three on the G string without playing anything on the D string. Paul Gilbert uses this technique a lot to alternate pick arpeggios.
Economy Picking
Economy Picking is a cross between alternate picking and sweep picking. It is thought to be faster and have a smoother sound, though there is debate as to whether it is better than alternate picking or not. You can see an article about it here.
Related lessons
