Alternate picking - Any exercises

[Pablo]

Try listening to Technical Difficulties off Racer X's album of teh same name. The riff requires a lot of concentration.

(Edited by Pablo at 6:49 pm on April 19, 2001)

[jeff l]

Here's an exercise I like to use for combining inside and outside picking.


G- * * * * *1 2 4 2 1 * * * * * * * * * *2 3 5 3 2 * * * * * * * * *
D- *1 2 4 * * * * * * *4 2 1 **2 3 5 * * * * * * * 5 3 2 * etc.....



You begin the exercise with a down stroke and use alternate picking throughout on the D and G strings. Obviously, the first phrase uses outside picking but the second phrase* uses inside picking (and of course it employs a position-shift each time). *Continue the same motif all the way up as far as your fretboard will allow and then come all the way back down. It's quite the little workout!


(Edited by jeff l at 7:27 pm on May 21, 2001)

[YaYoGakk]

Here's a warm-up exercise:

E-------------------------------------------------------------------
B-------------------------------------------------------------------
G-------------------------------------------------------------------
D-------------------------------------------------------------------
A----------1 2----1 2 3----------2 3----2 3 4----------3 4---3 4 5--- *
E--1 2 3 4-----4--------2 3 4 5------5--------3 4 5 6-------6--------

etc...
You can play it all over the fretboard, I find it works well.

Alden

[J Todd Beachler]

e------------------------------9------7--------------------------
B-----------------------7---------7---------7--------------------
G---------------8----------8------------8---------8-------------
D---------9---------9--------------------------9---------9------
A------------9-----------------------------------------9----------
E------7------------------------------------------------------7---


Use strict alternate picking with a metronome and move this pattern around the fretboard. *Have fun!

[Mr Orange]

"...No go on that."
"What? You don't like Etudes by Brouwer & Villa-Lobos?"
"No."
"Well, try 'em."

[dino1978]

this is one I did really much to get my alternate picking down... adopt the picking directions as You like, it's just how I do it...

[rob777vdy]

Originally Posted by Chan

Does anyone have an exercise to really improve your alternate picking. I don't need help with the 1 string stuff, but the string switching is giving me trouble. Also I keep my hand anchored to the guitar when I'm playing, is this bad. I know Petrucci does it, but he spreads his fingers out, while I keep my hand in a fist and use the second knuckle of my pinkie as an anchor.

Thanks in advance.

ive had same trouble for years.1 string no probs but going from 1 string to the next just doesnt sound right and gets messy the more strings i play.ive been playing 16 years and still struggle with this.

[Ya Yo Gakk]

Originally Posted by dino1978

this is one I did really much to get my alternate picking down... adopt the picking directions as You like, it's just how I do it...

Thank you very much!