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Sweep Picking is the only logical way to pick

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Written by Crazy Dave

Wednesday, 19 March 2008

Short Description: This article tries to clear certain misconceptions about sweep picking.

by CrazyDave

Short Description: This article tries to clear certain misconceptions about sweep picking.

You must have heard so many times sweep picking distorts the rhythm and precision that can be achieved through alternate picking. But have you ever cared to understand the details of sweep picking technique? If you haven't, let's do it now.

Let's assume you're playing a major scale having three notes per string. When you employ alternate picking technique you would go down/up/down right through the scale. But if you are sweep picking, you'll pick down/up/down on the first string followed by DOWN/up/down on the higher pitched string and DOWN/up/down on the next string below it while ascending the scale. So, there will be two consecutive down strokes when strings are changed.

And while descending the scale, if you're sweep picking you'll pick up/down/up, UP/down/up, UP/down/up. Again you perform two same pick strokes consecutively while changing strings. This is the crux of sweep picking.

All of us have learnt in our school days the shortest distance between two points is a straight line. This elementary scientific knowledge is used in sweep picking technique. It reduces distance between two strings by directly going to the required string. The guitarist is not constrained by the strict down/up/down regimen of alternate picking style.

But there are some guitarists who want to remain in the comfort zone of predetermined pattern which is the hallmark of alternate picking style. They say their fingers automatically, rather, instinctively pick at right string and they simply don't have bother about it at all. This leaves them with more free time to improvise and be creative. I feel it's more a dogma than any real logical reason.

But there are certain genuine hurdles which many players face when they try their hand in sweep picking.

The most commonly heard refrain is sweep picking causes the sound to be sloppy. This happens not due to any inherent flaw in this technique but because most of them try to practice too fast. If instead they start off by picking slowly they'll get crystal clear sound. Speed is not a big issue. It can be easily generated once picking is perfect. The other real problem is inability to mute the notes that are not played. This obviously distorts the sound quality. But you can overcome this easily by pressing either your palm or thumb on the strings that are not picked.

You shouldn't sound as if you're strumming as your pick runs across the strings. Even though the arm moves in a continuous sweep, play the arpeggio slowly so that each note is roundly defined and clearly heard.

About the Author:

Before you go spending a ton on 1-on-1 guitar lessons, make sure you check out Crazy Dave's in-depth breakdown of the #1 "how to" video guitar lessons on the net - learn and master guitar. Dave's site provides over 35 free guitar licks!