This lead guitar lesson will explain common picking techniques used in lead guitar playing, the most common of these being alternate picking. Understanding when to use the best picking techniques is an important skill in lead guitar.
Essentially there are three common picking techniques that will be discussed in this lead guitar lesson; these are using purely downstrokes, alternate picking and sweep picking. Each technique will be best suited to a certain lead phrase, style of music and individual preferences.
As the name suggests alternate picking involves an alternating pattern of up and down strokes. So, for example to play the C major scale using three notes per string, using alternate picking, we first start with a downstroke on the C note. Next, an upstroke on the D note followed by a downstroke on the E note. We then move to the A string where the F note is an upstroke followed by a downstroke on the G note and then an upstroke on the A. We simply continue with alternating up and downstrokes to complete the scale. The advantages of alternate picking are that the up and downstrokes help us stay in time and maintain a consistent rhythm with our playing. There is a better economy of movement using the alternate picking technique over using just purely down strokes. This will translate to greater speed, potentially double the speed compared to just using purely down strokes. This lead guitar lesson aims to emphasise the importance of this style of picking.
An advanced and less commonly used lead guitar technique is sweep picking. When used correctly it can provide great speedy lead lines. This picking style is best used to cross several strings using one stroke in one direction. It is best thought of as strumming a chord without letting the notes ring out in a single motion. When crossing adjacent strings, this picking style will enable the best economy of movement and speed.
In lead guitar, often individuals will use purely downstrokes when playing a series of notes. This is probably the easiest and most accurate way to hit a series of notes, although this style of picking has its limitations. By only stroking downwards, one must play twice the speed to achieve the same effect as using the alternate picking method.
When learning lead guitar it is important to practice propper picking technique. A good starting place is to repeat a scale pattern using purely alternate picking. Gradually increase your speed as you improve but not to the point in which your playing gets sloppy. As you practice this type of exercise, your timing, rhythm and precision will improve which will be greatly beneficial to your lead playing. An important lead guitar lesson tip is to start slowly and to always use a metronome to stay in time.
Essentially there are three common picking techniques that will be discussed in this lead guitar lesson; these are using purely downstrokes, alternate picking and sweep picking. Each technique will be best suited to a certain lead phrase, style of music and individual preferences.
As the name suggests alternate picking involves an alternating pattern of up and down strokes. So, for example to play the C major scale using three notes per string, using alternate picking, we first start with a downstroke on the C note. Next, an upstroke on the D note followed by a downstroke on the E note. We then move to the A string where the F note is an upstroke followed by a downstroke on the G note and then an upstroke on the A. We simply continue with alternating up and downstrokes to complete the scale. The advantages of alternate picking are that the up and downstrokes help us stay in time and maintain a consistent rhythm with our playing. There is a better economy of movement using the alternate picking technique over using just purely down strokes. This will translate to greater speed, potentially double the speed compared to just using purely down strokes. This lead guitar lesson aims to emphasise the importance of this style of picking.
An advanced and less commonly used lead guitar technique is sweep picking. When used correctly it can provide great speedy lead lines. This picking style is best used to cross several strings using one stroke in one direction. It is best thought of as strumming a chord without letting the notes ring out in a single motion. When crossing adjacent strings, this picking style will enable the best economy of movement and speed.
In lead guitar, often individuals will use purely downstrokes when playing a series of notes. This is probably the easiest and most accurate way to hit a series of notes, although this style of picking has its limitations. By only stroking downwards, one must play twice the speed to achieve the same effect as using the alternate picking method.
When learning lead guitar it is important to practice propper picking technique. A good starting place is to repeat a scale pattern using purely alternate picking. Gradually increase your speed as you improve but not to the point in which your playing gets sloppy. As you practice this type of exercise, your timing, rhythm and precision will improve which will be greatly beneficial to your lead playing. An important lead guitar lesson tip is to start slowly and to always use a metronome to stay in time.
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