Alternate picking is a technique used by guitar players to produce a smooth, consistent sound when playing fast, repeated notes. It involves using a combination of upstrokes and downstrokes to play notes, rather than just downstrokes or upstrokes. This technique can be used to play a variety of different styles of music, including rock, metal, and classical.
To start practicing alternate picking, it’s important to first understand the basic motion of the technique. You should use a combination of both upstrokes and downstrokes when playing a series of notes. This means that if you are playing a series of notes on one string, you should play the first note with a downstroke, the second note with an upstroke, the third note with a downstroke, and so on. This is known as “alternating” between upstrokes and downstrokes.
Tips to master alternate picking:
Start with simple Exercises
Use A Metronome
Proper Pick Grip
Incorporate alternate picking into your playing
Practice consistently
Start with simple exercises: To practice, it’s important to start with simple exercises that focus on one string at a time. You can start by playing simple scales, such as the pentatonic scale. As you get more comfortable with the technique, you can start to add more complex scales.
Use a metronome: A metronome is a great tool to use when practicing. Start by setting the metronome to a slow tempo and gradually increase it as you get more comfortable with the technique. This will help you improve your overall accuracy and speed.
Proper pick grip: Hold the pick correctly so that it does not slip out of your hand when you are playing. Experiment with different grip styles and pick types to find the best option for you.
Incorporate alternate picking into your playing: Once you feel comfortable with the basics, start incorporating it into your playing. Use it to play fast, intricate solos or to add some variety to your rhythm playing.
Practice consistently: As with any skill, consistent practice is the key. Make sure to set aside time each day to practice and focus on improving your technique.
Welcome, fellow guitar enthusiasts, to an exciting journey into the realm of speed picking and precision guitar technique. In the vast and diverse world of guitar virtuosos, few names command as much respect and admiration as John Petrucci. Renowned for his unparalleled mastery of the instrument and jaw-dropping speed, Petrucci has mesmerized audiences around the globe with his lightning-fast solos and intricate riffs. In this guitar speed lesson, we delve into the secrets behind Petrucci’s extraordinary skills, uncovering the techniques that have defined his playing style and propelled him to the forefront of the guitar world. Whether you’re a seasoned shredder or an aspiring guitarist looking to take your skills to new heights, this lesson will unlock the door to unlocking the true potential of your speed picking prowess. So, let’s buckle up and embark on an exhilarating expedition into the world of guitar wizardry, guided by the maestro himself, John Petrucci. Its a great guitar warm up lesson.
Steve Morse is a highly regarded American guitarist who is widely recognized for his technical proficiency, melodic sensibility, and eclectic style. He was born on July 28, 1954, in Hamilton, Ohio, and began playing guitar at the age of five. As a teenager, he was inspired by guitarists such as Jimi Hendrix, Jeff Beck, and Eric Clapton, and he quickly developed his own unique style. And Today we will learn 3 Amazing Alternate picking exercises lesson from the master.
Morse first gained national attention as a member of the Dixie Dregs, a progressive rock band that he co-founded in the 1970s. With the Dixie Dregs, Morse showcased his impressive technical skills and innovative approach to guitar playing. Which combined elements of rock, jazz, and classical music. He also became known for his use of the electric guitar as a lead instrument in a genre that typically emphasized keyboards and synthesizers.
After the Dixie Dregs, Morse went on to have a successful solo career, releasing numerous albums and collaborating with a wide range of musicians. He has also played with a number of well-known bands, including Deep Purple, Kansas, and Flying Colors. Morse is known for his virtuosic guitar playing, his ability to improvise and create complex guitar arrangements, and his dedication to music education.
What is alternate picking?
Alternate picking is a guitar playing technique where the player alternates between downward and upward strokes with their picking hand to play notes. This technique is commonly used in various genres of music, including rock, metal, jazz, and blues.
The basic idea of alternate picking is to play each note with a downstroke followed by an upstroke and to continue this pattern throughout the piece of music. Or the section being played. For example, if a guitarist is playing a series of notes on a single string, they would play the first note with a downstroke. The second note with an upstroke, the third note with a downstroke, and so on.
Alternate picking is used to play fast and intricate guitar passages with clarity and precision. By alternating between downstrokes and upstrokes, the player can maintain a consistent rhythm. And avoid getting caught up in the same picking direction, which can cause fatigue and reduce speed.
The 80’s were a defining decade for the guitar shredding genre, with some of the most iconic and influential players emerging on the scene. This article is a tribute to the legends who paved the way for this genre of guitar playing. The 10 guitar shredders highlighted in this article are Randy Rhoads, George Lynch, Greg Howe, Marty Friedman & Jason Becker, Paul Gilbert, Eric Johnson, Yngwie Malmsteen, Steve Vai, and Van Halen. Each of these guitarists brought their own unique style and flair to the genre, influencing countless players around the world. From the hard-hitting metal riffs of Randy Rhoads and George Lynch, to the technical virtuosity of Greg Howe and Marty Friedman & Jason Becker, to the lightning-fast runs of Paul Gilbert, Eric Johnson, Yngwie Malmsteen, and Steve Vai, to the timeless classic rock of Van Halen, these guitarists set the bar for what it means to be a shredder.
This article features lessons and techniques from each of these legends, allowing players to dive into the world of 80’s shredding and learn from the masters themselves. Whether you’re an experienced player or just starting out, these lessons are sure to inspire and challenge you to take your playing to the next level. Those licks are Not played by them however we just followed their style. Here are 10 Shread Guitar Exercises from Legends:
Lesson 1 – Randy Rhoads
Randy Rhoads was a virtuoso guitarist who rose to fame in the late 1970s and early 1980s as a member of the bands Quiet Riot and Ozzy Osbourne. He was known for his fast and flashy playing style, as well as his incorporation of classical music elements into his solos.
George Lynch is a guitarist who first rose to prominence in the 1980s as the lead guitarist of the heavy metal band Dokken. He was known for his aggressive playing style, incorporating fast legato runs and heavy distortion into his solos.
Greg Howe is a guitarist known for his technical proficiency and virtuosity. He rose to fame in the 1980s and 1990s as a guitarist and composer, and has since established himself as one of the leading guitarists in the world of shred.
Lesson 4 – Marty Friedman & Jason Becker (Cacophony)
Marty Friedman and Jason Becker are two of the most influential and technically gifted guitar players of the 80’s. Both rose to fame as members of the metal band Cacophony, and went on to establish successful solo careers. They are the reason i am playing guitar : )
Paul Gilbert is a guitarist known for his fast and flashy playing style, as well as his ability to incorporate intricate harmonies and complex chord progressions into his solos. He first rose to fame in the late 1980s as a member of the band Mr. Big, and has since established himself as one of the leading guitarists in the world of shred.
Eric Johnson is a guitarist known for his clean and melodic playing style, as well as his ability to incorporate intricate fingerpicking and complex chord progressions into his solos. He rose to prominence in the 1980s as a solo artist and has since become one of the most respected guitarists in the world.
oe Satriani is a guitarist known for his technical proficiency, musicality, and innovative playing style. He rose to prominence in the 1980s as a solo artist, and has since established himself as one of the leading guitarists in the world. He has been a major influence on generations of guitar players and continues to be one of the most respected and revered guitarists in the world.
Yngwie Malmsteen is a guitarist known for his neoclassical playing style, incorporating elements of classical music into his solos. He rose to prominence in the 1980s as a guitarist and composer, and has since established himself as one of the leading guitarists in the world of shred.
Steve Vai is a guitarist known for his technical proficiency, musicality, and innovative playing style. He rose to prominence in the 1980s as a solo artist and as a member of the band David Lee Roth, and has since established himself as one of the leading guitarists in the world.
Van Halen is a legendary rock band that rose to prominence in the late 1970s and early 1980s. The band’s lead guitarist, Eddie Van Halen, was known for his fast and flashy playing style, as well as his innovative use of the two-handed tapping technique.
Today we will learn a very advanced Guitar Shredding Technique that I like to call the “Guitar Note Jump Technique.” This technique involves skipping over certain notes in a scale or melody in a specific order, such as every 3rd, 4th, or 5th note. This can create a sense of syncopation or dissonance, and can be used to add interest and variation to a guitar solo or melody. In this advance guitar shredding lesson we will also incorporate some string skippings.
This method can be challenging but with practice, it can open up a lot of possibilities for expression and creativity in your guitar playing.
So what is the method ? So here are 6 diffrent parts, In first part we skipped 2nd note and jumped to 3rd note, then in next part we skipped 2 notes and jumped to every 4th Note, and cronologically in next parts we jumped to fifth note, 6th note, 7th note and then we did octave jump? Cool, is not it?
This time I will share 5 Absolutely Best Alternate Picking Exercise Audio, Tabs & Guitar Pro Tabs.
Keep practicing and practice precisely, speed selection is probably the most important technique that you need to be mastered if you want to be a great with shredding or guitar solos.
Exercise 1 – Malmsteen Style 1 String Run
This one is a great guitar picking Exercise for intermediate Players. Malmsteen often use this type of phrasing.
I am already started working on Part 2 Of picking alternate guitar practice Series. Please follow our fb page so you can always notified about new posts. If you have any request of any kind of exercise let me know in comment section.
