Alternate picking pain

[Sam b]

When i alternate pick fast, i use my whole arm. After a while my elbow starts to hurt lots and eventually my whole right arm starts to hurt.
Is this normal? am i doing something wrong?

Sam.

[lyconxero]

I remember seeing a thread a while back about the "proper" way to alternate pick and I believe that it all boiled down to whatever is easiest for you. Personally, I alternate pick mostly with the wrist and a little bit with the arm but not so much that it actually makes my arm hurt.

[Rgt_Lover]

Has this not been asked to death?

Correct, fast alt picking with your whole arm (i.e elbow) will eventualy lead to strain ect.

[Andelusion]

Pick with your wrist.

Forum search.

Argh!

[Tom Gilroy]

Okaysies.

Correct alternate picking should come almost exlusively from the wrist, not the elbow, not the fingers, the wrist.

Drop your hand down to your side, notice the shape of your hand. This is your MOST relaxed hand position, and the way you hold the pick should be as similar as possible to this.

Try not to anchor. Practice your picking with the whole arm floating over the body of the guitar. This reduces tension in the arm. You'll get tired fast, and it will be pretty sloppy for a start, but after a while, your muscles wil develop more and you will eventually be more accurate, cleaner and faster than before. If you feel compelled to anchor some part of your arm, make it your forearm, and just rest it lightly, DO NOT press it into the guitar.

Look at some free floating pickers to get an idea of it (Shawn Lane, Chris Impellitteri, Paul Gilbert, Rusty Cooley)