Alternate picking can be a very frustrating technique to master, but ultimately can be very rewarding, especially to those seeking out ultra-fast abilities! The basic theory is, to economize movement, and therefore increase a players speed by cutting back excess hand movement. This is due by picking every note; alternating between down strokes and upstrokes. Lets take a basic chromatic exercise.
E |-------------------------------------
B |-------------------------------------
G |----------------------------4-5-6-7--
D |--------------------3-4-5-6----------
A |----------2-3-4-5--------------------
E | 1-2-3-4-----------------------------
Now, remembering to use the finger per fret rule, start off with a down stroke on the 1st fret of the low E, then while bringing the hand up to repeat the motion pick the 2nd fret with an upstroke, then down again on the 3rd and so forth. Start off slowly and increase speed gradually and use a metronome if possible.
Things to remember
- 1 - Keep your fingers on your picking hand rigid- you are picking from the wrist, and moving your thumb and fingers will interfere with you accuracy.
- 2 - keep it smooth and controlled- don't exaggerate the movements- think lazy!
Here's an exercise using the E major scale which will help your alternate picking accuracy. Remember, start slowly and make sure you pick evenly and in time!
E|-----------------------------------------------
B|-----------------------------------------------
G|----------------------------6-----6-8---6-8-9--
D|------6-7---6-7-9--6-7-9-- 7-9-----9-----------
A|--7-9-----9------------------------------------
E|----------------------------------------------
It may be a boring thing to practice, but it reaps many rewards. Even use licks and riffs you already know and try playing them using alternate picking. But always start slowly!
All it takes is 15-20 minutes a session. Good Luck!
