Technique
Alternate picking
Strict down up motion of the pick. The foundation of speed and clarity on guitar.
Why it matters
Strict down up motion of the pick. The foundation of speed and clarity on guitar.
- Anchor the picking hand lightly on the bridge without muting open strings.
- Keep pick depth minimal, just past the string.
- Start at 60 bpm with sixteenth notes, raise tempo only after every note rings cleanly.
Common mistakes
- Resetting to down stroke on each new string
- Tensing the forearm
- Watching only the picking hand
Build up
Three tempos to grow into it
- Slow
60bpm
Make every note speak before you raise the click.
- Medium
90bpm
Lock in with the metronome on two and four.
- Fast
120bpm
Only after the medium tempo feels effortless.
Step by step
- 1.Anchor the picking hand lightly on the bridge without muting open strings.
- 2.Keep pick depth minimal, just past the string.
- 3.Start at 60 bpm with sixteenth notes, raise tempo only after every note rings cleanly.
Did you master this
- Clean tone at the target tempo
- Steady rhythm with a metronome on two and four
- Smooth dynamics across all six strings
- Applied inside a real song or solo
- Recorded once and listened back without flinching
Related techniques
- right-hand
Economy picking
When changing strings, continue in the direction that takes the pick toward the next string.
Open - right-hand
Sweep picking
A single pick stroke flows across multiple strings, like a slow strum, with each note articulated by the left hand.
Open - left-hand
Legato (hammer ons and pull offs)
Notes articulated by the left hand alone. Smooth, flowing, and faster than alternate picking at extreme tempos.
Open - right-hand
Two hand tapping
The picking hand taps notes directly onto the fretboard, often combined with left hand hammer ons and pull offs.
Open - expressive
String bending
Pushing or pulling the string sideways to raise its pitch. The most vocal technique on guitar.
Open - expressive
Vibrato
Repeated small bends that breathe life into sustained notes. Speed and depth define your personal sound.
Open