The common types of picking used in lead guitar will be explored in this lead guitar lesson, with an emphasis on alternate picking. It is important to understand when a certain technique is best suited in a particular musical context or situation.
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.
Sweep picking is a more advanced and less commonly used technique. When applied properly it is a very useful picking style. It involves a continuous stroke over two or more strings in the same direction. It is similar to playing a chord without letting the notes ring out. When consecutive notes lie on adjacent strings, this picking style is best used, creating the best economy of movement and thus speed.
When playing lead guitar, one often starts out using purely downstrokes. This will often enable a steady and accurate production of notes at the expense of speed. Using the alternate picking technique in the same situation will effectively halve the stroke movements, potentially doubling the speed.
When studying lead guitar it is important to practice propper picking technique. A good starting point is to repeat a scale pattern using alternate picking. You can gradually increase the speed as you improve but not to the point where your playing gets sloppy. As you practice this exercise, your rhythm, timing and precision will improve, and so will your lead playing overall. A great lead guitar lesson tip is to start very slowly and to always use a metronome to help you 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.
Sweep picking is a more advanced and less commonly used technique. When applied properly it is a very useful picking style. It involves a continuous stroke over two or more strings in the same direction. It is similar to playing a chord without letting the notes ring out. When consecutive notes lie on adjacent strings, this picking style is best used, creating the best economy of movement and thus speed.
When playing lead guitar, one often starts out using purely downstrokes. This will often enable a steady and accurate production of notes at the expense of speed. Using the alternate picking technique in the same situation will effectively halve the stroke movements, potentially doubling the speed.
When studying lead guitar it is important to practice propper picking technique. A good starting point is to repeat a scale pattern using alternate picking. You can gradually increase the speed as you improve but not to the point where your playing gets sloppy. As you practice this exercise, your rhythm, timing and precision will improve, and so will your lead playing overall. A great lead guitar lesson tip is to start very slowly and to always use a metronome to help you stay in time.
About the Author:
For a very limited time our popular E Book entitled "Learn Guitar Scales For Lead Guitar Mastery" is available as a FREE download from our website. Click on the link to grab your free copy now. bass guitar scales
No comments:
Post a Comment