Short Description: Alternate Picking allows you to pick the strings of a guitar really fast. You can learn the technique of alternate picking in this article.
Alternate picking is a method where you strictly pick in a downward and an upward motion alternately in a continuous run. When alternate picking is done very fast on a single note it is sometimes called tremolo picking.
By doing alternate upward and downward movement, you can economize movement of your wrist a great deal while you play the notes. So, it becomes easier for you to smoothly execute fast picking licks.
The first step however would be to go and get a brand new pick. It should be of medium thickness so that you can pick the strings firmly without in any way muting them. Slip the pick between your thumb and forefinger. The pointed edge should peep out with about two thirds of it being hidden between the fingers. This happens to be the most "favored" way of holding the pick.
But legendary musicians have held it in their different ways and still been able to produce unforgettable music. So, my suggestion is hold it in a manner you're comfortable with and see to it that you are able to execute the notes without much effort. That'd be the best way for you.
The whole purpose of alternate picking is to be able to do a fast run. It thus becomes extremely important to choose which part of the string you'd pick. If picking is done right on the bridge you'll get an additional treble. But you'll be able to extract a mellower tone if you go nearer the neck. Choose the position which suits the composition you're playing.
The tone you extract from the instrument has a great bearing on the overall impact of your performance. A pick held parallel to the strings gives you a clear tone. But if you hold the pick at an angle and "slice" the strings, the tones won't be so crystal clear.
What your wrist movements will be is another important aspect of alternate picking. You may keep your wrist stiff and let your arm do all the movements using elbow as a pivot, or, you may use your thumb and fingers and make circular movements while picking. Here again we don't have any "ideal" solution. You are free to choose any method which makes you feel comfortable.
Use a metronome to maintain the beats and start with short repeating patterns. Maintain a moderate tempo; say 80 - 100 beats per minute. After you have mastered this, start increasing the tempo slowly and steadily till you reach 160 beats per minute. This is the average tempo of fast licks. Keep practicing at this speed.
Alternate picking is a method where you strictly pick in a downward and an upward motion alternately in a continuous run. When alternate picking is done very fast on a single note it is sometimes called tremolo picking.
By doing alternate upward and downward movement, you can economize movement of your wrist a great deal while you play the notes. So, it becomes easier for you to smoothly execute fast picking licks.
The first step however would be to go and get a brand new pick. It should be of medium thickness so that you can pick the strings firmly without in any way muting them. Slip the pick between your thumb and forefinger. The pointed edge should peep out with about two thirds of it being hidden between the fingers. This happens to be the most "favored" way of holding the pick.
But legendary musicians have held it in their different ways and still been able to produce unforgettable music. So, my suggestion is hold it in a manner you're comfortable with and see to it that you are able to execute the notes without much effort. That'd be the best way for you.
The whole purpose of alternate picking is to be able to do a fast run. It thus becomes extremely important to choose which part of the string you'd pick. If picking is done right on the bridge you'll get an additional treble. But you'll be able to extract a mellower tone if you go nearer the neck. Choose the position which suits the composition you're playing.
The tone you extract from the instrument has a great bearing on the overall impact of your performance. A pick held parallel to the strings gives you a clear tone. But if you hold the pick at an angle and "slice" the strings, the tones won't be so crystal clear.
What your wrist movements will be is another important aspect of alternate picking. You may keep your wrist stiff and let your arm do all the movements using elbow as a pivot, or, you may use your thumb and fingers and make circular movements while picking. Here again we don't have any "ideal" solution. You are free to choose any method which makes you feel comfortable.
Use a metronome to maintain the beats and start with short repeating patterns. Maintain a moderate tempo; say 80 - 100 beats per minute. After you have mastered this, start increasing the tempo slowly and steadily till you reach 160 beats per minute. This is the average tempo of fast licks. Keep practicing at this speed.
About the Author:
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