Alternate Vs. Directional Picking

There is a somewhat common argument in the guitar playing community on whether one should learn to play using alternate picking (strict up/down strokes all the time) or directional (also referred to as economy or sweep picking).

Just to be clear, let me explain what I mean when I say “directional picking”. If you were to play a major scale using 3 notes per string, directional picking would call for you to play down/up/down on the first string followed by DOWN/up/down on the next (higher in pitch) string, followed by DOWN/up/down again on the next higher string and so on. As you see 2 down strokes are performed consecutively when changing strings. If strict alternate picking was to be used, the player would pick down/up/down all the way through the scale. If you were to descend the scale using directional picking, you would play up/down/up, UP/down/up, UP/down/up and so on. Again notice that when you cross strings you perform 2 of the same pick strokes in a row.

Now that we are clear on what both terms mean, let us look at why some people choose to discredit the value of directional picking. I have seen comments such as: “Alternate picking will leave you more free when improvising because you will not have to limit yourself to prearranged patterns since the picking motion is always down/up/down” or “Directional picking is not as powerful and it distorts the rhythm and precision that can be obtained by strict alternate picking.”

Let’s examine the above points more closely. The first argument was that strict alternate picking leaves you more free when improvising since the motions become automatic. Well the reason why the motions feel automatic is because your muscles remember anything they do enough times and are able to automatically execute whatever they have been trained to do. If you were to take the trouble to relearn your picking technique, the new motions will eventually become so ingrained in the muscle memory that they will become natural as well.

Directional picking when approached correctly is simply the most logical way to pick. In school we were taught that the shortest distance between two points is a straight line. With directional picking we use the straight line approach to minimize the motion that is needed to get to the next required note. When you see the string you are going to play next, you go directly to it (hence the name for the technique). There is no need to memorize predetermined picking patterns. Once you master the technique, you will be able to execute extremely fast lines without much thinking at all. The result? Since less motion is required for the pick to travel to the same destination brings greater speed, accuracy and flow.

Moreover, with the extra motion that is involved with alternate picking (that is required to cross over the string to maintain the constant down/up/down motion of the hand) puts extra strain on the muscles and makes you more likely to get injured. Why would anybody want to compromise their own playing ability?

Moving right along, lets look at the second argument. Some people claim that directional picking disrupts the rhythm and the precision (articulation) obtained by alternate picking. Interesting. When one takes a look at guitarists such as Tom Hess, Mike Walsh, George Bellas, Ney Mello, Chris Kalkbrenner, Frank Gambale or Jimmy Bruno (all extremely high caliber virtuoso players who use directional picking), it is obvious that their playing is always incredibly metrical and precise with no loss of rhythmic control whatsoever. The reason why players tend to believe the argument against directional picking is because the technique can be tricky to learn correctly, but once mastered results in much greater ease of playing and greater speed. The challenge of directional picking lies in training the forearm stability to correctly stop the pick when needed. This requires a great deal of strength of the stabilizing muscles of the forearm which must be developed through special training. Most players never take the time to master the technique properly and this leads to loss of control in playing. When I say that this technique is more efficient than alternate picking I am not saying that it is much easier to learn. The point that I am trying to make is that this technique gives you greater results per amount of time spent (then alternate picking). As with anything, I cannot overemphasize the need for a great teacher who can explain and teach the technique well.

Another common argument is that if the vast majority of guitar virtuosos such as Rusty Cooley, John Petrucci and Paul Gilbert and Michael Angelo use alternate picking with such success why would anyone bother learning directional picking?. When looking at these players it immediately becomes obvious that alternate picking can be and is being used with tremendous results. So what is going on here? I am not discrediting alternate picking. It is obvious that it can bring great results. However it takes a LONGER time to master alternate picking than it does directional picking due to excess movement that the technique requires. Moreover, it is not as ergonomically efficient thus increasing the risk of possible injury. However it is entirely possible to become equally fast using both techniques. The question is: how much time do you wish to spend developing your technique?

Now I can hear people ask: then why do the majority of guitar players use alternate picking if it is less economical? This is a valid question and I think that the reason for this is because of certain traditions and conventions that have been followed in guitar playing through the years. However, as in any other science (and guitar technique is a science that obeys the laws of physics- this is of course entirely different from the art of making music) certain advancements are continually being made. The discovery of directional picking proves that. It is already being used by players with great success. Guitar technique is still in its early stages of development (do you realize that electric guitar is less than 100 old?) therefore it is only natural that new discoveries in areas such as technique will occur.

Speaking from personal experience, I actually (when I first began playing) started out intuitively using directional picking because I was self taught for the first year that I played. When I got my first teacher, he told me that I was picking "incorrectly" and I switched to alternate picking for about two years. Then when I realized the advantage of directional picking I switched my technique again (for the second time) and now I use directional picking almost all of the time with great success. I can also testify to the fact that directional picking felt very natural to me when I first learned it on my own, and later alternate picking felt just as natural when I changed my technique for the first time. Now that I have changed to directional picking for the second time it feels more natural than ever.

Hopefully this article opened up your eyes to a new technique that you may not have considered trying out before.

You can contact me at [e-mail] I would be happy to answer any questions you may have. I reply to all e-mails.

If you are interested in learning new ways of thinking about music and taking your playing to the next level, check out: “The Next Step: Serious Improvement for the Developing Guitarist”

©2007 Mike Philippov All Rights Reserved. Used by Permission.

Mike Philippov is a solo guitarist, music composer and instructor. He teaches private guitar lessons in Indianapolis Indiana. He has published his instructional articles on many guitar websites that are read by thousands of guitar students worldwide. His music was performed at recitals held at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. Mike has also organized and taught several guitar workshops including one that was held at Oak Brook Academy of Music and Art in Chicago IL. Mike is also a co-author of an instructional book: “The Next Step: Serious Improvement for the Developing Guitarist.”

Currently Mike is busy working on several projects including composing and recording a solo CD featuring music in the neo-classical and progressive rock styles as well as more instructional products that are in the works at this time. Please visit mikephilippov.com and sign up for a free newsletter which is sent out periodically and contains helpful tips and advice for guitar players

E-mail Mike at: [e-mail]

Comments

[RiffD]

"Now that we are clear..." Uh, no, not at all.

You state: "directional picking...down/up/down on the first string followed by DOWN/up/down on the next..."

Then you state: "If strict alternate picking...down/up/down all the way through the scale."

Then, "...descend the scale using directional picking, you would play up/down/up, UP/down/up, UP/down/up and so on."

I'm very confused. You define both using the same terms, then you switch directional from down/up/down to up/down/up.

Am I missing something basic here? From your description, I fail to see the difference in the two styles.

- Gary

[Mike_Philippov]

Gary,

With alternate picking you would never perform two strokes in a row. So when playing a 3 note per string scale (with alternate picking) your picking on the low E and A strings would go: Down, Up, Down, UP, Down, Up etc... (never playing two downstrokes or two upstrokes in a row)

With directional picking, the picking would go: down, up,down, DOWN, up, down, DOWN, up, down etc... (You play two downstrokes in a row every time you cross strings)

Does that make sense?

Mike.

[Mike_Philippov]

Also remember that when you descend (go back down) the scale, you would play 2 upstrokes in a row to cross strings (see the description in the article), whereas with alternate picking, you NEVER interupt the constant pattern of Down/up/down/up/down/up etc...

Mike.

[RiffD]

Ah, now it makes sense. The "never two down, never two up" did it for me. Thanks!

Basically...alternate picking= up, down, up, down, etc.

Economy=you go in whatever direction the next string is, and alternate pick if you are hitting the same string more than once.

Checked.

[AAAAAAAAAARGH]

Errr... Biased towards directional picking?

[gynther flynt]

yes, finally someone has said it well enough to silence the haters! economy picking is simply the best way when thinking logically.

[Neon Knight]

they sound different so why limit yourself to one?

[arondadi]

is alternative picking better for high speed shred than directional picking? like rusty cooley and John Petrucci use only alternative picking. I personally use directional but do you think i could inprove my speed with alternative?

[SEALSniper1152]

Neon Knight wrote:

they sound different so why limit yourself to one?

^^Agreed, learn both and use them dependant on the situation. like Rusty Cooley, he uses a lot of alternate picking, but i have seen him use both sweeping and directional picking in his shread licks.

[SEALSniper1152]

arondadi wrote:

is alternative picking better for high speed shred than directional picking? like rusty cooley and John Petrucci use only alternative picking. I personally use directional but do you think i could inprove my speed with alternative?

No, do what feels best

[auayw]

cool. i thought i was playing the guitar wrongly. thanks for telling me that i wasnt wrong.
however i couldnt play some songs from artists that uses alternate picking. like the song technical difficulties by paul gilbert. i can never get the same speed as him because of the picking difference.

[mrpotter]

well you should always alternate pick unless...there is a moment you want that quick series of notes. see in guitar theres rules right??? well theres also an exception to every rule too. this is one of those examples.

[beckero103]

I think the real bottom line is players like Petrucci and Paul Gilbert don't just know one picking style, they can do both. Take Zakk Wylde. An in an interview with him on Youtube, he clearly displayed effecient sweeping and tapping techniques but claimed he didn't use them because it wasn't his style. These players know both techniques. When playing odd meters directional picking helps maintain a steady rhythm. Learn every lick you play starting from an upstroke and a downstroke, and then learn it with directional picking. After a couple months it just becomes natural. I encourage it because it will allow you to play while reading tab or sheet music much easier.

[Rock God #1]

auayw wrote:
cool. i thought i was playing the guitar wrongly.

how can you play the guitar wrongly? if it sounds right, it is right. Play it with a mobile phone if need be (actually that gives off some wicked high-pitched sounds).

[Mortigi Tempo]

to be honest I dont put that much thought into how I pick I just do what feels natural but for the most part alternate picking is natural so Ill naturally go up down up down anyway without thinking about it

[chaseNbadguys]

Each technique is a tool to use. Depends on the job as to what one you use, why limit yourself to just one technique.

[Cheesepuff]

Eventually you will come across a lick you can't do with your picking style. So learn both.

[MetallicaNRoses]

unless i am trying to sweep (emphasis on trying,) i usually use alternate picking. i have tried to use directional a bit but after it felt weird i went back to alternative

[Under_Score247]

i only sweep .. not bothered to learn directional picking, its like starting guitar over again :O

[Rocker3829]

To flat out discard one type is ridiculous. Both are better than the other for certain times so why not use both? It's not hard to figure that one out.

[wasp2020]

Under_Score247 wrote:
i only sweep .. not bothered to learn directional picking, its like starting guitar over again :O

Uh, what? Sweeping is a technique used when all notes are on adjacent strings, this lesson just deals with general picking lines. In fact, sweeping is just another form of Directional Picking, because you're using more then 1 down/upstrokes in a row.

And this reminds me of Steve Morse, an incredible alternate picker...everyone look up "Tumeni Notes" by him. Alternate picked "sweeps"!

[axe_grinder247]

i believe that one should master both because in tricky two note per string patterns and one's with a large amount of movements between strings, economy picking wouldn't be as effective or as consistent as strict alternate...i personally hear the difference in the attack, which is why i prefer alternate...however, i do use economy on some three note per string patterns or when the lick calls for it

[Children Of War]

You know what?


stop the arguing and just learn both of em'

[La Qotsa]

I think this is a little obvious. Any *good* alternate picks most things.

[screamsoftly]

I use both depending on the situation. Just whatever feels best for the particular lick.

I dont think it's important to use one exclusively.

Checked

[johnsy2004]

depends how fast im playing... if im playing something like dragonforce then ill use eco-picking but if i play something like fur eliese by beethoven then ill use alternate

[Fargalas]

I'm sorry, but this article is terrible. Ask, friggin' ASK, the fastest, cleanest players in the business. Michael Angelo Batio is the speediest, cleanest shredder alive, and he is extremely against economy picking in a non-sweeping context.

So you can pick who you listen to. The fastest player in the world, or Mike Philippov.

[Blind In 1 Ear]

i always use alternate picking. but because i only really play the pentatonic when going fast, it actually is directional. so i guess it works out nice for me

[chris_libby_88]

lots of you guys are saying stuff like "why limit yourself to just one technique" or "learn alternate and directional" i think you guys are missing the whole point. DIRECTIONAL PICKING is an EXTENSION of ALTERNATE PICKING, not a different technique... it basically is alternate picking, just improved to make it more efficient.

[Fargalas]

Sorry for comment abuse, but something else I just noticed... The guy mentions Tom Hess, first and foremost, in his list of "high caliber virtuosos." I think that alone should throw this whole crap out the window. He's just another god damn Hess zealot.

I know of every player he listed, and despite Gambale contributing to the development of sweep-picking in a profound manner, all of these players are rubbish. That is opinion, not fact, but I find the sound they produce is lackluster, and lacks the control of accenting and other technique that pure alternate picking reaps.

[Dead_Guitarist]

Different approaches suit different people and different styles. Besides,it's just personal preference - who are you to shit on someone else's style?

[Dead_Guitarist]

Besides, the quality of music depends more on your insight and ability musically than technically - for example a lot of very skilled, fast players write samey, boring, musically and melodically undeveloped and uninspired shite. (not all, of course, but a lot).

[Dead_Guitarist]

That may look like I'm hypocritically "shitting on someone else's style" there... my bad. Doesn't make it any less true though.

[Ackj]

Kris Dahl and his Guitar Masterclass site swear by using alternate picking only.

[markisouvlaki]

Excellent Article. I find alternate picking easier for general playing, but economy picking can be VERY useful in certain situations

[Jonjy2]

Its the same thing as economy picking right? (Directional)

And it's basically just a mix of sweeping and alternating right?

[banjo1735]

When you think logically, economy picking IS logical. But it only works on strings with odd numbers of notes on them, which makes it a rather limited technique. Eventually, you have to break your direction and alternate pick in order to pick economy again.

With alternate picking, you don't have to worry about putting a lick or scale in another position just so you have an odd-number of notes on each string. And if you're not good at alternate picking, you shouldn't even attempt fast string skipping (economy string skipping is, by definition, impossible).

So, what I'm trying to say is, learn alternate first and become REALLY good at it, then focus on economy if you want; alternate picking is what you'll need most of the time. Work with your swept arpeggios along with the alt. picking also.

[thebrewfan]

how about both?

[Absent Mind]

This is pretty biased which shows before he says he is a directional picker, which isnt a good way to right something e.g the hollocaust was a gd idea, because I'm a nazi (not personally)

The point about injury I didnt rly like eaither, The technique takes longer to master, building your muscles slower and stronger, there for better equipped for playing guitar, I do not see this as a increase in the chance you will injur yourself.

I think econmy is best probably, because, like stated if petrucci etc can play at a million miles an hour using a technique that is suppose to be slower, then sure its proven to be just as efficient, with out taking the lazy way to playing guitar (which is basically why you said we should econmy pic, because it takes less time to master).

Guitar takes a long time to get good at with PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE (as we are constantly told) to give the best results, so use the best techniques as well.

[Jawshuwa]

"When you think logically, economy picking IS logical." Not redundant or anything.

"Now I can hear people ask: then why do the majority of guitar players use alternate picking if it is less economical?"

The majority of guitar players in what genre, or are we speaking in general ? In general, the majority of guitar players using alternate picking are country guitarists, nu metal guitarists, pop guitarists (if such a thing can be considered a guitarist), alternative metal guitarists, rock and hard rock guitarists, alternative rock guitarists, et cetera. There aren't that many genres that stress virtuoso playing ability (or at least sweeping/economy in general) left around, which is why alternate picking is used more frequently. To the genres that -do- incorporate sweeping/economy ? Who wants to sweep an entire solo ? It won't sound good, plain and simple. Alternate picking allows much more freedom horizontally across the fretboard, and some people enjoy horizontal progression versus vertical progression (a few notable pentatonic/blues guitarists prefer horizontal progression; i.e. Slash, Kirk Hammett, Zakk Wylde, et cetera). Petrucci and Cooley are NOT strict alternate pickers; Cooley's sweeps are some of the most crazy, yet pleasant-sounding sweeps I've ever heard, and Petrucci sweeps crazy fast. Alternate picking is easier to keep a beat to with each alternate stroke than sweeping/economy is (or maybe that's just my opinion).

"Logically," economy picking, in SELECT scenarios can be put to better use than alternate picking, but knowing economy picking without knowing alternate picking is putting a saddle on a horse, except without the horse. Another reason the "majority" of guitarists out there use alternate picking: Not all of them like the sound of sweeping. Personally, I can't stand constant sweeping; it gets muddy and irritating. Kirk Hammett (used to rely almost exclusively on the pentatonic scales) has done sweeping in maybe two songs, and I like that. The technique -- note, technique, NOT style; economy picking is not a style, it's a technique, as is alternate picking -- isn't overused by him, therefor it doesn't get old each time I hear the sweeps.

Well that was a fun little rant ! I seriously can't stand "shredders" who do nothing but sweep, and I know this article isn't glorifying them, but it certainly seemed biased toward economy over alternate.

Remember people, when it comes down to it, it's personal preference !

[chris_libby_88]

guys...sweep picking isnt directional picking... directional picking doesnt involve the same type of picking motion as sweep picking. directional picking is alternate picking, just not strictly alternate, u just continue a pick motion to the next string but rather than sweep picking u pick the next string. i cant believe how many of you dont understand this technique and make ignorant posts

[sharkeyanti]

This is an interesting article, but it fails to address an important issue: tone.

I've found that varying one's attack is much easier with alternate picking, but directional picking achieves some tones or rhythmic phases that are quite hard to achieve with strict alternate picking.

If you want to be able to play at blazing speeds, it's certainly necessary to "master" each technique, but as long as you can produce the notes within a desired tempo, and your tone, technique becomes moot.

This article also disregards those who don't use a pick, which is becoming a bit more commonplace among electric guitarists; Jeff Beck is a major proponent of this, and it's hard to argue against his tone control.

I've found that for the majority of the time, alternate picking is appropriate simply because of the power in your attack, and directional picking is appropriate in places where alternate picking feels off. In a three note per string run I would use Down-Up-Down throughout. Also, I'd find directional picking useful when moving across three strings in the same direction, or across faster successions of notes across two or more strings.

[Night_Lights]

I dont see the point people make when claiming that alt picking has more powerful tone. I disagree. I believe that economy picking has more tone, especially when leading a downstroke with another downstroke, as you are working with the force of gravity as opposed to against it, which is what the upstroke motion on crossing strings is.

[Jawshuwa]

^ And in order to oppose that force, you have to meet it with an equal or stronger force. Wave your hand; chances are, you just moved it against gravity. Now do an upstroke; chances are, you just moved against grabity.

Working against gravity is NOT a difficult task in this scenario.

[soadquake981]

the funny thing is that economy picking came natural to me... i didn't even know it had a name until i saw a lesson a while ago. it's a lot easier for regular shredding (not sweeping) imo.

[Necronomicon]

ok who the hell uses only alternate picking or only directional picking? thats like only walking or only driving. obviously you're going to use both. stupid article or stupid people causing stupid article?

[HavokStrife]

One is better than the other is purely, purely personal opinion.

The lists of direction and alternate players was classic though. Bunch of players I've never ever heard of, and some of history's most talented guitarists ever to hold the instrument.

Basically, learn them both, pick which one you like, or both, and use them.

Sorry though, it seems all this article is trying to say, is you'll be able to play the parts in that one Vai solo like fractions of seconds faster, by learning how to directional pick, because gravity and some other mumbo jumbo works in your favor. Great.

[jthm_guitarist]

Moreover, with the extra motion that is involved with alternate picking puts extra strain on the muscles and makes you more likely to get injured.

Moving your hand an extra 1/16th inch compromises your playing ability?

[Partyboy2k05]

Either way doesn't matter to me. Decent article, I'm not gonna flame it though. I just use what feels natural myself. Sometimes i alternate, other times I just use down, down, down, all the time. Just gotta go with it sometimes.

[rusrec00]

Fargalas wrote:

I'm sorry, but this article is terrible. .....
So you can pick who you listen to. The fastest player in the world, or Mike Philippov.

Blah blah blah (I turned you off after the your initial pummeling began)
Why is this board filled with so many people like this? I will listen to someone who is trying to help others over someone who does nothing but throw out insults and bash people who are trying to contribute and make UG a better forum. So fartglass if you know so much, then write a friken column about it

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Nope....no columns, no reviews, no news, no lessons...but plenty of trash talkin in the forums. Give the guy a break hes tryin to help

[SL!!!]

i don't understand the argument... economy picking is just an extension of alternate picking, it's just a little more natural feeling i think... purely style i guess. i mean really, so what if the fastest guitar player in the world prefers alternate picking, you can could get just as fast with economy. there are plenty of talented musicians and teachers of other instruments who have dumb little things they swear by that make no difference to, and you know what that proves? that some people are just pretentious about little things. use whatever you feel like. this article isn't very good either.

[banjo1735]

The thing is, you can't do economy without being good at alternate. And if you're good enough at alternate, you don't need economy. And sweeping is NOT economy picking.

[zerowing]

why not use both?
alternate for improv and alternative/economy/whatever for shredding and whatnot.. or whatever goes good with which

i dont see any valid reason why you should just stick to one.. if there is please reply

[Brisse]

I go for downstrokes only...
Somehow it works

[And2001PT]

Sweeping IS economy playing.
Economic Playing isn't a real picking style, it's just a concept where you use the most intelligent picking routes you can think of in order to reach the next note.

Sweeping = Economic Picking
Alternate Picking Sweeps =/= Economic Picking


God, I should just stop reading the comment section, ****ing morons at UG are frustrating.
Oh, and to the guy who said something about Kris, Kris uses sweeps too.
If you're gonna blindly follow someone, at least make sure you're doing it right.

[Kailoq]

chris_libby_88 wrote:

lots of you guys are saying stuff like "why limit yourself to just one technique" or "learn alternate and directional" i think you guys are missing the whole point. DIRECTIONAL PICKING is an EXTENSION of ALTERNATE PICKING, not a different technique... it basically is alternate picking, just improved to make it more efficient.

They're both different techniques and take different mind sets. Both can be mastered though.

AP = always alternate!
DP = alternate, but use a down stroke when going down and an up stroke when going up. It basicly adds little sweeps.

They've got the same fundament, but DP isn't just an extension. It's a combination of sweeping and alternate picking.


I started out using directional picking, it just came more natural to me. If you master it properly, there's no limit to when you can use it. I used to for every lick imaginable. Your muscles will just be trained to do a downward wrist stroke whenever you move to a higher string and vica verca.

I learned alternate picking when I started practising seriously, because most people adviced me (friends, the pros, Kris) and it couldn't hurt to know both. Most people learn alternate picking first anyways.

Now I can fluently alternate pick, it took a few weeks of hard work but I mastered it just as easily. I don't have problems with pure alternate picking 3Nps, 2nps nor 3nps string skips (granted, I can't do those at uber high speeds, but I can't see why I wouldn't be able to if I just practise).

Because I didn't use directional picking anymore I kinda unlearned it. I can still use it for some riffs I played thousands of times with directional picking. I can use it for other riffs if I take it slowly. I'm convinced that if I would go through the trouble of relearning it and maintaining both picking techniques I'd be able to use them both. The thing is, I don't see the point.

First of all:

it is not as ergonomically efficient thus increasing the risk of possible injury

This is only half true. Directional picking is more economical and ergonomical, but only a tiny bit. The extra energy it takes to play a string with a down stroke, go over the next string and do an upstroke, as opposed to 2 directional picked down strokes, is close to 0. Your covering a tiny distance. So yeah, it is more economical, but it won't give you tremendous results. The extra movement won't put any strain on you as long as you do it relaxed. Alternate picking WILL force you to cross a longer distance, but the action required to do it is the same action that's required for directional picking. Lets say alternate picking forces you to cross twice the distance of directional picking. If what you're saying about injuries is true, then someone who plays 2 hours a day with directional picking, will have the same chance of getting injured as someone who uses alternate picking 1 hour each day!
So, to summarise, if your technique is solid and you're playing with minimal tension, alternate picking won't put more strain on your muscles, seeing as it uses the same motions as directional picking, you're just doing more of them. Things like anchoring and playing with a hunched shoulder on the other hand WILL increase the chance of an injury.

Alternate picking makes it easier to play consistently, but ofcourse, if yo practice directional picking enough you'll be able to play consistently too, it's just a tad harder at first. This is a fact for people who started out with AP. They will have some trouble getting the same rythmic consistensy, but it's easy to overcome with some practise.

However it takes a LONGER time to master alternate picking than it does directional picking due to excess movement that the technique requires.

This just doesn't make sense. Because one technique rquires less movement, the technique which uses more movement takes longer to learn? I think you meant you'll be able to get up to speed faster with directional picking, which is probably true.

A little myth I'd like to clear up:

Some alternate pickers say you don't have to think when using alternate picking, but as I've said before, if you properly master directional picking you won't have to think about it either and you'll be able to use it for ANY lick.

If anyone actually read through all that, I didn't give any real arguements for either technique :p I prefer alternate picking at the moment, because I feel more comfortable with it. If I had practised DP as much as AP I'd probably feel more comfortable with that. I don't see a real reason to change from AP to DP (or vica verca) if you started out with it. If you just practise (correctly) both techniques can be used properly. If you manage to master both perfectly, good for you, but you'll probably still use the one you like better.

Most shredders use alternate picking too, I think most of them started out with alternate picking (I know Gilbert did, but I never heard his thoughts on DP). It works for them, so I don't see why it wouldn't work for anyone

[The Kinzo]

hmm, Legato all the way sounds good.

haha im kidding.

Auesome article, Directional Picking is kind of new to me. Ive always known about sweep picking, but never- down, up, down, DOWN, up, Down etc.-

Someone should write a column about techniques that covers all the techniques from bending, to downpicking to EVERYTHING so it gives guitarists new ideas. Anyone?

[The Kinzo]

By the way, some of you UG'ers bitch way too much.

[Y00p]

Pity. I was hoping for an unbiased article about the pro's and con's of both picking styles. However, it was clearly a pro-DP piece.

I've been using AP myself for the past, oh, 18 months (of my total 3 years of playing) because, indeed, it does give me more precision, rhytmic feeling, and consistency.

Yes, it isn't easy to get used to it, but for me, and I know for a lot of other players, it does work charms for you.

[Ontropium]

Gilbert and Petrucci use alernate picking. They say it gives you controll, speed and rythmic advantages. When I first started playing, I used economy picking. Then switched to alternate picking. Now afterwards I must say i prefer alternate for the reasons already mentioned. Of course, this is only a personal preference. But hey, if Gilbert praises it. Why shouldnt we listen?

[Jackolas]

Why not do both when needed; best of both worlds.

[And2001PT]

Gilbert and Petrucci uses both...
And I reccomend you watch Pretucci's video 'Rock Discipline'.
He has a huge list of Economy Picking exercises and reccomends it over Alternate Picking.

Also, to the people who say it's not much of a difference; start playing after 170 Bpm and you'll see the difference.
I have very weak forearms and the excess movement in strict Alternate Picking makes them cramp and slow down.

[And2001PT]

Oh, and BTW, Gilbert started with straight up picking and only using the 6th string.

Are you gonna follow him on that too? ^_^

[Muppet]

So many words in that article, so little headliners... Need I say more?

[Ryan0811]

yes alternate picking is important and the most..it increases speed and not to mention it allows you you to keep time more easily...for instance in 8th notes the second eighth not in a sequence if your playing straight 8ths is a up-stroke...this probaly just confused everyone but maybe it didnt =P

[AlchoholicA]

pointless, just learn alternate picking and stfu

[NiCk_FuRy]

if I started thinking about this I would surely stop playing today!... OMG!

[BlazeBanderez]

Brisse wrote:

I go for downstrokes only...
Somehow it works

This guy know how to settle the argument....

[BlazeBanderez]

I'm also proper amazined at how enraged people can get about the fact that some picks a new string in the opposite direction to them.

Gutiar folk, eh!

[chrisbeevor]

I used to directional pick and not know any better that it wasn't alternate picking. Basically, it probably was slightly faster but it also was messier and made you insinctively play less with your wrist

[chrisbeevor]

Actually, having said that, any technique you practice enough you can get perfect. It's just what you're used to. Could argue about a lot of other things similarly...

[HPinatuxedo]

This article is more of a one sided view than a fair fight, you also have to show positives on alternative picking than JUST directional, also what if you use a down/up/down from E to A then have to go back down to E? There is more motion there! So technically, it depends soley on the bars to determine the style, not just HOW you learned it.

[banjo1735]

And2001PT wrote:

Sweeping IS economy playing.
Economic Playing isn't a real picking style, it's just a concept where you use the most intelligent picking routes you can think of in order to reach the next note.

Sweeping = Economic Picking
Alternate Picking Sweeps =/= Economic Picking


God, I should just stop reading the comment section, ****ing morons at UG are frustrating.
Oh, and to the guy who said something about Kris, Kris uses sweeps too.
If you're gonna blindly follow someone, at least make sure you're doing it right.

"Economy picking is a guitar-playing technique, for a guitarist who uses a pick. A hybrid of sweep picking and alternate picking, economy picking involves using alternate picking except when changing strings. In this case the guitarist changes to sweep picking"

Economy PICKING is what we're talking about. Economy playing, at least to me, would be the entire field of guitar efficiency, involving posture, right hand position, etc... Economy picking uses sweeping to be economical. If that means that sweeping is economy, then by that same logic, wheels are cars because cars use wheels.

And2001PT wrote:

I have very weak forearms and the excess movement in strict Alternate Picking makes them cramp and slow down.

Your arms cramp by moving an extra centimeter? And an arm cramp should really never happen; your arm should be relaxed while your WRIST picks.

[Dead_Guitarist]

Surely alternate picking when you practice develops your pick control, wrist and finger strength, and fluency with the guitar more? I couldn't say which is better for tone or performance or whatever, but I'm sure alternate must yield greater results when practicing.

[buddastrat]

"Basically...alternate picking= up, down, up, down, etc.

Economy=you go in whatever direction the next string is, and alternate pick if you are hitting the same string more than once." Kirbyrocknroll

Nice job. That states nice and simple. The original article is pretty bad at explaining for a newbie.

Learning both styles is good because they have different influence on sound of the licks.

Aggressive picking can only be accomplished with alt. picking. I've never heard anyone use economy picking and sound like Mr. Chainsaw Gilbert.

[And2001PT]

How is Sweeping not economic?
It's purpose is to find it's way to the next string with as less movement as possible.
Economic picking isnt necessarily Sweep Picking, but Sweep Picking is economic picking.


And in case you don't know, all hand movement comes from the muscles in the forearm.
You don't actually have muscles in your hands or wrists, all the movement comes from the forearm.
And I had trouble with playing relaxdly while using strict alternate picking, that's why I changed technique.

That's the whole point of this, choosing whatever feels more natural to you.

[danhiz347]

Not a good piece of writing. Pick however the hell you want to pick. Don't let an article tell you what the best way to pick is, just do whatever allows you to express yourself. If you can do that with alternate picking, great, or economy picking, great, but both styles should have been given an equal argument to allow readers to explore and decide for themselves.

[JoeBender]

What if I tend to pick downwards a lot on the top 3 strings (by that I mean the lower sounding strings), and I pick up on the bottom three? There are exceptions but when I pick like this it feels best and lets be pick the fastest.

It really depends on what I'm playing. If I'm playing the same chord many times in a row of course I'll go up down up down up down (or a different pattern if the rhythm calls for it), but as for playing on single strings at a time, I tend to pick in one direction.

Anyway, is this bad? For me it feels most comfortable but I'm wondering if it's detrimental somehow.

[penner]

To me, alternate picking seems like an expert technique and directional is more intermediate. Beginners just downstroke.

I wouldn't consider sweep picking either directional or alternate in the sense that you're only downstroking for a reason, to get a certain sound.

I feel alternate picking is the way to go. I feel you have a broader range this way.

[ZootCst]

The only correct way is to be able to do either one depending on what the situation calls for.

[CORT noob]

Just do the easiest natural way. I don't even think about my picking.

[RockerPseudonym]

CORT noob wrote:

Just do the easiest natural way. I don't even think about my picking.

I agree with the above statement.

I alternate pick through a speedy passage, or where it's of greatest convenience, but it's also really cool to do an altpick run, and then downpick a couple times if you're hitting the same note 2 or 3 times, directional/economy picking doesn't necessitate(sp?) a sweep

[guynaa]

don't forget that both techniques dont sound the same (economy is a little lighter sounding) and that not all patterns are executable on economy (for example 2 notes per string)

[bassetrox]

This column is a little bit too biased for my liking.

A guy on a jazz forum once said:

If you are learning directional picking, you must learn it exclusively, and only use this method until it is mastered

What do people think of that?

[bassetrox]

And2001PT wrote:

You don't actually have muscles in your hands or wrists

WHAAAT? Lmao. I understand your point, but changing human anatomy to justify it is going a bit far!

Plus many people (eric johnson etc) acheive speed and musical flow through circle picking, which relies mainly on the usew of the thumb.

buddastrat wrote:

Aggressive picking can only be accomplished with alt. picking. I've never heard anyone use economy picking and sound like Mr. Chainsaw Gilbert.

Thats a good point, the article didnt really cover the differences in sound produced. Directional is more more flowing and less aggressive.

[drjeff420]

There is no certain or "best way" to start. What I found works best is to go with the flow of the song. You don't learn how to play guitar in one day. It comes naturally with lots of practice.
-jeff

[kendog1327]

i use both types of picking as i have found they both work well in certain passages,,why not learn both so you have more options in your arsenal??

[lespaulfromhell]

excellent article!

I don't think picking a certain way should be forced on anyone, whatever is most natural to the player should be how they pick.

I happen to use directional picking, mostly because taking time to learn STRICT alternate picking was something I didn't care for. I have to say I do prefer this method of picking, because, IMO, it seems more logical, and it just feels more natural

[InsomniaRocks]

Everyone's been saying it, but I have to say it too...LEARN BOTH SWEEP AND ALTERNATE PICKING! And sorry to be biased, but I like to use alternate picking as my general method, and whip out sweep picking for fast licks, like arpeggios for example. I think alternate picking is the more solid of the two, but any guitarist who wants to be seriously good should aim at getting a good grip on both techniques.

They are both hard to MASTER, just like anything is hard to master, (and i most definately havent yet), but do you need to be a ****ing virtuoso by the end of this month? Give it time...it can take years.

[stonedkirby]

UNITED ATHEIST ALLIANCE IS THE ONLY LOGICAL ANSWER!
SCIENCE DAMN YOU!

[pl0x]

Alternate, i started learning from directional but i realised i would eventually hit a brick wall where i couldn't go any further so start alternate asyou can do more things

[pl0x]

and i can also sweep pick so im ok at both :P

[Tasman]

Yeah this isn't a very god article, its certainly not objective, yeah good idea lets focus on the good of the directional and forget about alternate is pretty much what you're saying

[RCalisto]

interesting.. i use economy picking and i didnt even know lol

[Frankie Sparks]

well, he's right about it being the more "logical" way to pick, but who's he to tell you how to play? Just do what you want. Rusty cooley uses almost strict alternate, and so does michael angelo batio. But then again, Vai and Malmsteen use economy, so...take your pick

[Frankie Sparks]

it's all about how dedicated a guitarist you are.

[ZivonHunter]

Here's a better idea, rather than argue about this, why not try raking and plucking instead?
It's easier, and picks just get in the way.

[Kailoq]

ZivonHunter wrote:

Here's a better idea, rather than argue about this, why not try raking and plucking instead?
It's easier, and picks just get in the way.

Because there are some things which are near impossible to play without a pick (vica verca is true too ofcourse). On top of that there are certain sounds that are easier to get with a plectrum (like artificial harmonics).

[mpeskett]

I certainly differ from you on the term "virtuoso". To me, Rusty Cooley is far from virtuoso. All he does, is play consistent 16th and 16th note triplets and perhaps even 32nd notes very fast. There's nothing complicated about what he is doing, technique wise and rhythmically. He just plays it very fast. John Petrucci on the other hand is someone I would call a virtuose as he is very comfortable playing odd rhythms and in odd time signatures, and creating interesting melodies. Also, John has never said he gets fatigued by alternate picking, I've never heard of that from anyone. I've heard of injuries in the fretting hand but as for the picking hand, never heard about that. I personally use economy picking, I think it just feels nicer and flows better, wheres alternate picking is very metronomic and doesn't really flow which you can hear when listening to John Petrucci and Paul Gilbert.

Just my 2 cents.

[bluesblaster]

use your arms and save your wrists, before carpal tunnel kills you all

[InsomniaRocks]

Kailoq :
ZivonHunter wrote:

Here's a better idea, rather than argue about this, why not try raking and plucking instead?
It's easier, and picks just get in the way.


Because there are some things which are near impossible to play without a pick (vica verca is true too ofcourse). On top of that there are certain sounds that are easier to get with a plectrum (like artificial harmonics).

He was being sarcastic >P

[Jawshuwa]

mpeskett wrote:

I certainly differ from you on the term "virtuoso". To me, Rusty Cooley is far from virtuoso. All he does, is play consistent 16th and 16th note triplets and perhaps even 32nd notes very fast. There's nothing complicated about what he is doing, technique wise and rhythmically. He just plays it very fast. John Petrucci on the other hand is someone I would call a virtuose as he is very comfortable playing odd rhythms and in odd time signatures, and creating interesting melodies. Also, John has never said he gets fatigued by alternate picking, I've never heard of that from anyone. I've heard of injuries in the fretting hand but as for the picking hand, never heard about that. I personally use economy picking, I think it just feels nicer and flows better, wheres alternate picking is very metronomic and doesn't really flow which you can hear when listening to John Petrucci and Paul Gilbert.

Just my 2 cents.

The term "virtuoso" gets tossed around carelessly nowadays; it's almost lost its purpose. Cooley plays a lot of fast stuff, yes, a LOT of fast stuff, but he's more than capable of playing slowly with brilliant phrasing and technicality.

Regardless, he's a shredder, and in today's standards, just about anyone that's a shredder is a virtuoso. Not my thoughts on it, but generally held to be axiomatic.

[Dead_Guitarist]

Virtuoso describes technical ability. If you play someone else's music you are still a virtuoso if it's complicated enough. The real talent lies in writing - anyone can become great at the gutiar with practice, but improv (and not just scalic runs, but melodic and tasteful stuff) and writing decent songs will always be much harder and more respected.

[Dead_Guitarist]

Hey as an afterthought I see a lot of stuff posted about "injuries" on this site. Now I have been self-taught up until recently and I play like three hours a night, what's all this injury stuff?! Arthritis n stuff, I take it? What's the best way to avoid this stuff?

[mikehislop]

Honestly i think he means to say that either you pick down up down up.... or down down down. Unless you just do a mess of down down up up up up down to make it easier to play. Basically up down up down is the best way to play though because you can play faster and have better fourm. Also this applies to strums that are usally a down strum comes on a whole beat and an up strum is on a 1/2 beat.

[ZivonHunter]

InsomniaRocks wrote:

Kailoq :
ZivonHunter wrote:

Here's a better idea, rather than argue about this, why not try raking and plucking instead?
It's easier, and picks just get in the way.


Because there are some things which are near impossible to play without a pick (vica verca is true too ofcourse). On top of that there are certain sounds that are easier to get with a plectrum (like artificial harmonics).

He was being sarcastic >P

If you're thinking I was being sarcastic, I wasn't.
I'm the kind of person who won't use anything extra to play a guitar(other than an amp if it's an electric) unless it's something not normally used.

[mpeskett]

Dead_Guitarist wrote:

Virtuoso describes technical ability. If you play someone else's music you are still a virtuoso if it's complicated enough. The real talent lies in writing - anyone can become great at the gutiar with practice, but improv (and not just scalic runs, but melodic and tasteful stuff) and writing decent songs will always be much harder and more respected.

Oh yeah, you're right there, I didn't know virtuoso described technical ability only, of which Rusty Cooley is extremely proficient in. As for musicality though, not my cup of tea. Plus I haven't heard him play anything very rhythmically challenging.

[Cheesepuff]

kendog1327 wrote:

i use both types of picking as i have found they both work well in certain passages,,why not learn both so you have more options in your arsenal??

Cheesepuff wrote:

Eventually you will come across a lick you can't do with your picking style. So learn both.

Jackolas wrote:

Why not do both when needed; best of both worlds.

[kingdean619]

tom delonge explains all

[MESAexplorer]

Someone should post a lick that is alternate picked, and one that is economy picked to show how you need to know how to use either technique to improve yourself.

Personally, I use whatever I can get the most flow out of...unless I want an akward type of sound a la buckethead.

[WolfenGuitarist]

I am Alternate, and I can play any every tab I've come across, after reading this article (good job on it too!) I actually went and hunted down some tabs that had details saying that economy picking would help.

Sorry guys but there is no differance, I used guitar pro with the correct tempo and tempo changes to replicate the speed of the song in all areas, which were designed for economy picking, but I had NO trouble playing any of the song.

Neither of these techniques are better/more efficient then the other, do what feels best.

[the_bi99man]

I agree to just do what feels best. Personally, though: I'm completely self-taught. Never had a lessen in my life for guitar or bass, both of which I play. When playing with a pick (I like a lot of finger picking on both guitar and bass -and slap-bass, too) I use "economy picking", although I never knew that it even had a name until recently. I tried using strict alternate picking once, and switching strings on the up-beat (picking "down/up/down" on the low E string, followed by "up/down..." on the A) felt terrible. After doing it for a while, my wrist popped on one of the string changes, and then started hurting really bad, so I decided that alternate picking is definitely not for me.

[the_bi99man]

kingdean619 wrote:

tom delonge explains all

Please explain in more detail.

[RockerPseudonym]

You know what's better than having to choose which style to use exclusively? Use both as the situation requires!

Alt picking is superior in speedy passages, as was explained, economy picking is good for sweeps, or if you want to change the time signature between licks.
You could always just downpick...a lot, until you get a Popeye arm...

[lord of stones]

sweep pickin' makes you sound, better

[docinder]

i use both, it really depends on the song i am playing. i cant just use one, i have grown to love both. one should use both styles to better there playing. i have been playing for many years, and i started with alternate picking, and i didnt take lessons until my third year.

[rik231]

The idea is to use both forms of picking (and others such as chicken picking) where it is required or where it makes life easier for the musician. Simple.
Why stick to one method? thats like learning hammer ons and not bothering to learn pull-offs! very silly and leaves you very limited with what you can do.

[LDZ]

It is about the music. A downstroke is naturally a little stronger than an upstroke so alternate picking may be better at creating emphasis on the beat (and so reducing emphasis on the off-beat). Of course there are times when strict alternation is not followed; of course

lightning

passages should be done in the most efficient way possible. Ease of playing is important but my thought is that a technical choice should be based on a musical choice. What if you are never worried about these emphasis/dynamic issues? While these nuances may not be meangingful at all times, I believe you may be missing something in your music if you don't consider them at all. Technique serves the music.

[the piper]

Why wouldn't you just use both? I don't see why you would have to argue about it, it can only help you if you use both picking styles.

[MorbidVentress]

Yngwie Malmsteen uses Economy and Sweep picking all the time and he is the greatest guitarist to have ever graced the earth... I never even used a pick until this year and its actually slowed my play down.

RockerPseudonym wrote:
just downpick...a lot, until you get a Popeye arm...

Masturbation is great for the picking arm, so is air guitaring to DragonForce and Malmsteen. I also find, that learning the piano/keyboard helps with the fretting hand rather well.

[MorbidVentress]

Kailoq wrote:
Because there are some things which are near impossible to play without a pick (vica verca is true too ofcourse). On top of that there are certain sounds that are easier to get with a plectrum (like artificial harmonics).

Artificial Harmonics are easier without a plec.

[Chiefwiddler]

When you reach a decent level of accomplishment at playing, your picking hand will automatically use the route of greatest ease to arrive at the desired string. If you have to think about it while you are playing, what chance do you have when jamming spontaneously?

[InsomniaRocks]

ZivonHunter :
InsomniaRocks wrote:

Kailoq :
ZivonHunter wrote:

Here's a better idea, rather than argue about this, why not try raking and plucking instead?
It's easier, and picks just get in the way.


Because there are some things which are near impossible to play without a pick (vica verca is true too ofcourse). On top of that there are certain sounds that are easier to get with a plectrum (like artificial harmonics).

He was being sarcastic >P


If you're thinking I was being sarcastic, I wasn't.
I'm the kind of person who won't use anything extra to play a guitar(other than an amp if it's an electric) unless it's something not normally used.

Ew never mind then. I agree that playing with your fingers is great, and sometimes preferable, but I am a huge fan of the pick. And what about hybrid picking? if you use all three free fingers it is almost as unlimited as with straight finger picking. I'm the kind of person who thinks that if you master hybrid picking, you can get almost the same sort of feel as with finger picking, but with the added bonus of a pick for extra speed. Oh and try playing some dick dale or dragonforce without a pick :P.

[Cannibalkyle16]

rusrec00 wrote:

Fargalas wrote:

I'm sorry, but this article is terrible. .....
So you can pick who you listen to. The fastest player in the world, or Mike Philippov.
Blah blah blah (I turned you off after the your initial pummeling began)
Why is this board filled with so many people like this? I will listen to someone who is trying to help others over someone who does nothing but throw out insults and bash people who are trying to contribute and make UG a better forum. So fartglass if you know so much, then write a friken column about it

Member profile for Fargalas:

· Status: UG Newbie [ ? ]
· Title: UG's resident Fargalas


· Contributions: [ 0 total ]
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· Lessons: [ 0 ]
· News: [ 0 ]
· Posts in forum: [ 283 ]


Nope....no columns, no reviews, no news, no lessons...but plenty of trash talkin in the forums. Give the guy a break hes tryin to help

Probably because he has a life you idiot

[ZivonHunter]

InsomniaRocks wrote:

Ew never mind then. I agree that playing with your fingers is great, and sometimes preferable, but I am a huge fan of the pick. And what about hybrid picking? if you use all three free fingers it is almost as unlimited as with straight finger picking. I'm the kind of person who thinks that if you master hybrid picking, you can get almost the same sort of feel as with finger picking, but with the added bonus of a pick for extra speed. Oh and try playing some dick dale or dragonforce without a pick :P.

When I said something not normally used, I meant something such as a violin bow.

[Fryer Mike]

Ok, this topic has really strayed from its original subject... The idea that a person can only pick one way is not that great... first of all, if you get too comfortable with one of the picking types, you will lose skill in another. That is a fact. But if you even them out, then you will be pretty awesome at all of them over time. Also, if you were to use one type of picking too pften, it becomes ALOT harder to correct your mistakes quickly, and knowing several types of picking can really make that better too.... i dont know what im talking about anymore...
Mike

[The RyMan]

directional picking works most efficently on 3 note per string scales; when using 2 notes a string, directional picking can become a chore.

[darkfire_storm]

Rock God #1 wrote:

auayw wrote:
cool. i thought i was playing the guitar wrongly.


how can you play the guitar wrongly? if it sounds right, it is right. Play it with a mobile phone if need be (actually that gives off some wicked high-pitched sounds).

no kidding, i mean, nigel tufnel played a solo using a violin as a bow, so why not use whatever to do whatever?

[BigBall]

I think you discuss this in a way to general way, alternate and directional is both good technics, and most players will need to master both. But, a lot of you seems to forget that we all have different physical abilities from birth, yes they can be trained, but just to a certain level. For some, spending time on developing a "very good" directional technic will be a mission impossible because they lack the fine-motorical (can you say that in english, i`m norwegian)abillities to control the arm and the wrist, at least they will be dependent on a highly skilled teacher who know that students need different approaches and guiding. Another problem in this discussion is that playing fast and playing slow is not nessecerly the same thing, regardless wether you use alternate or directional. The metronome approach doesent work on all people, sometimes you have to just try to play real fast and work it out over time, finding the best angle, finding balance between use of finger, wrist and arm. My point is, I think, a lot of you are talking about a very individual thing in a very general manner, and it sounds like everybody is on an extremely high level of playing. I doubt that.

ibanez rg + rectifier=the only truth

[tweekus420ccc]

when i first started playing i started with metallica.
i was a big follower of the strict downstroke only rule. hell i thought it was the only way to play. i don't know any better i'm self taught. n e way, when i finally graduated to alternate picking i figured hell yeah i can play faster i don't need to use that stupid downstroke only bullshit. lil did i know muscle memory prevented me from unlearning this stupid technique(i didn't kno about muscle memory either). i thought i was screwed. one day i was playing lamb of god, ruin, and i thought the intro sounded much stronger when played with all downstrokes as opposed to alternate and even all upstrokes. now after learning what syncopation and strong and weak rythms r i am glad i never fully "unlearned" that technique. i don't know i figured i throw that in there. my question is could someone give me some good tips on how to learn economy and sweep picking? like i said i am self taught ,ive played for 5 years, i wish i did but i never had a teacher, and i am kind of a slow learner. now my problem for sweep pickin, i have been sweepin for the past 4 months i guess, but i find that my hand sometimes still wants to alternate one of the "swept" notes. i do it slow and it comes out right but then i try do it in beat and my pick hand gets all screwed up.screw eceonomy pickin i tried learnin that for about a week and felt i was gettin nowhere. so if someone could give me some good tips that would be cool.

[astrotrain77]

little off topic but still related:
What kind of picking does Dave Mustaine use during the intro to Holy Wars.Is it down,up,down,up or up,down up,down, or down, up, down, down.

[astrotrain77]

Hey tweekus, for sweeping in order to get your right hand smooth just concentrate ON YOUR RIGHT hand by muting the strings with your left and practicing the sweeping motion with your right-make the pick strokes like you spaculing or painting....sort of anyways-just start off Slow.If you can do it slow it's really easy to build up speed quickly.Good luck and use a metronome or drum machine to keep those pick strokes in time or you'll regret it later.

[astrotrain77]

How the hell do I make a post in the forum section- I am a member.

[bearded-bastard]

“Alternate picking will leave you more free when improvising because you will not have to limit yourself to prearranged patterns..."

bullcrap! i play bass and whenever i improvise i automatically use directional picking. or maybe i'm just the best in the world....

[Diamond Dave]

The RyMan wrote:

directional picking works most efficently on 3 note per string scales; when using 2 notes a string, directional picking can become a chore.

it becomes identical to alternate? (start down/up, next string down/up etc = down/up/down/up

[flage]

Cool, right or wrong I think this column has opened some eyes. Good discusion too.

[Set-Abominae]

Why don't you just pick the strings whichever way is easiest you?

[Michael_Gabriel]

Uh... wow.. haha.. I, personally, find this arguement completely useless.

Especially the part about how using directional picking is faster when switching strings because there is a shorter distance to move to get from point a to point b. True. but... It doesn't matter, because on the previous string you are playing (in a 3 note per string pattern) down/up/down.. which is alternate picking, so unless you for some reason want to increase the tempo of your playing for a fraction of a second, your still going to be tied down by your alternate picking speed.

The only time pure direction is worth it is during sweeps and maybe certain legato licks. Using pure directional picking is overly complicated, especially when moving from a string of notes using alternate picking.

[TheMadMac]

Getting rhythm in the wrist will help maintain a groove.

This comes straight from Strumming. There is no directional picking when strumming, it's always alternate. Thus we often pick down on the beat and up on the off beat or Whatever Depending on the meter. This comes through in soloing.

Do you maintain this directional picking if you skip a string? Something tells me it'd be a hassle in that case.

[TheMadMac]

“The Next Step: Serious Improvement for the Developing Guitarist” promises to be one the most informative and in depth guitar instructional manuals on the market today."

It also claims to teach you jazz guitar in six easy pages.

[Y2A 66]

This is the most illogical single minded article I've read in a while. You're essentially arguing that one method is the best because it's your favorite. Half of this article doesn't even make sense anyways.

[cakezilla]

How about using both? What the hell? hahaha

[Saint-Jimmy]

u should learn both...pfft.. dumbasses i think sweeping is different to economy though

[Guitargod12345]

Another common argument is that if the vast majority of guitar virtuosos such as Rusty Cooley, John Petrucci and Paul Gilbert and Michael Angelo use alternate picking with such success why would anyone bother learning directional picking?. When looking at these players it immediately becomes obvious that alternate picking can be and is being used with tremendous results. So what is going on here? I am not discrediting alternate picking. It is obvious that it can bring great results. However it takes a LONGER time to master alternate picking than it does directional picking due to excess movement that the technique requires. Moreover, it is not as ergonomically efficient thus increasing the risk of possible injury. However it is entirely possible to become equally fast using both techniques. The question is: how much time do you wish to spend developing your technique?

I you want to play fast, you got to learn how to alternate pick. It becomes more naturally as you learn it, I learned how to do it efficiantly when I had been playing for 4 months in less than a week, it is what got me to be able to use a pick anyways.

[dale-banez]

this hasnt been checked in awhile...just sayin

[marston]

I believe that economy and sweep picking are wholey two different techniques all together.

kthxbai.

[jimmypagerules!]

ive invented a new way of picking, instead of the two explained, its easy, i shred anything. seriously, faster than batio, u wudnt believe it, ive been plasying guitar for 7 months only, i also have a new left hand tech, i call it optimum shred, i have no need to pick, my legato is so amazing, i can get oppick sounds, my fingers are so strong, my hammer ons and [pull offs do it for me. back to my right hand, if u hold the pick between index and pinky, and use ur other fingers to rest on the guitar, and pick as close top ur left hand as posssible, practise this, and you may be able 2 play half as fast as me. michaelangelo, cooley, angus young, lane, romeo . . . theyre nothing on me . . . i will be a guitar god

[jimmypagerules!]

i am the best, musically too

[Power Driven]

is it just me or should this aricle be called Directional Picking Over Altenate Picking, i mean if your going to make an article like this dont make it so one sided and biased, this is the worst article i have ever read trying to "discuss" 2 different topics. its just not good.

[Power Driven]

and as to the comments about sweep picking and economy picking. they ARE two different techniques, they have some similarities but if you can economy pick doesn't mean you can sweep pick, as far as I'm concerned its the hardest technique to master. i give this article a -5

[Johnny Thrash]

If you give this "technique" sum time eventually you will be able to use alternate picking as if u were doin up and down strokes!!! so even though this technique takes a while to become very champ at!! it will be well worth it when you play an hour long show of complete thrash music!! L8er dudes

[waranghira]

SEALSniper1152 wrote:

arondadi wrote:

is alternative picking better for high speed shred than directional picking? like rusty cooley and John Petrucci use only alternative picking. I personally use directional but do you think i could inprove my speed with alternative?
No, do what feels best

No No, learn and master both for better guitar playing

[urik]

To resume it to you people, economy picking, is alternative picking. Only that when you change string, you pick to the direction of the string.
So if you are on the 1st string doing up-down-up-down-up, and go to the 2nd string, you would do up-douw-up-down-up-UP.

Do what you find more comfortable. I use economy picking most of the times. But there are licks that I find easier to do in alternate picking. I don't even think about it. My body just knows when to do economy, and when to do alternate.
My recommendation is to master them both.

[NosferatuZodd09]

I taught myself to downstroke everything ish... I downstroke eight notes up to 200 BPM... sometimes faster... I didnt alternate pick ever kinda... cause when I was learning I was never really required to alternate pick cause it wasnt fast enough lol... my body learned that way... X_X... usually my rule's downstroke anything that is fast as eights at 200bpm... anything as fast or faster than triplet 8ths at 200bpm I alternate pick X_x... cause it's the speed that dtrives me to use either technique

[curtain1080]

having been self taught i only use economy, i just cant get used to strict alternate so i discarded it, it feels alien, i dont understand how people have to learn economy :\ its so damn logical and natural.

[mmaddogg]

either way u have to down pick for a pinch harmonic

[Irontallica09]

mmaddogg wrote:

either way u have to down pick for a pinch harmonic

not true you can upstroke a pinch harmonic, just takes a little more practice

[woodenbandman]

^True dat, I discovered that today. You twist your index finger a tiny bit to move it closer to the pick tip, and let the string snap and touch your index finger. You need short fingernails.

It's pretty cool to discover, but not really useful unless you want to sweep a 12 note string of all pinch harmonics or something.

I learned economy picking, and it's essentially identical to sweep picking, so I think I shouldn't have too much trouble mastering sweeping when I practice it.

[lmb.f.gd's lamb]

jimmypagerules! :
ive invented a new way of picking, instead of the two explained, its easy, i shred anything. seriously, faster than batio, u wudnt believe it, ive been plasying guitar for 7 months only, i also have a new left hand tech, i call it optimum shred, i have no need to pick, my legato is so amazing, i can get oppick sounds, my fingers are so strong, my hammer ons and [pull offs do it for me. back to my right hand, if u hold the pick between index and pinky, and use ur other fingers to rest on the guitar, and pick as close top ur left hand as posssible, practise this, and you may be able 2 play half as fast as me. michaelangelo, cooley, angus young, lane, romeo . . . theyre nothing on me . . . i will be a guitar god

fck u .....iwen i startd out i began wid down picking..the nxt day to speed things up i began with alternate....and dat tooo tnt strict alternate...i hav been playing wid directional picking fr abt 1 year n seriously its fast

[Metallica-EX50]

curtain1080 wrote:

having been self taught i only use economy, i just cant get used to strict alternate so i discarded it, it feels alien, i dont understand how people have to learn economy :\ its so damn logical and natural.

exact same with me. i want to learn alt picking but i can't gallop or pedal starting with an upstroke.

[vertebraille]

I'm also self taught and i've been playing for about 2 years. I don't practice as much though, because I honestly don't have much time. (Insane I know, since there's always time to pick up and play a guitar). But as for the alt and econ picking... I use both. To me, I just play, sometimes I'll tackle a riff using directional, then the next one with alternate picking... It just depends on what i'm playing and what feels comfortable.