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Alternate picking is a guitar playing technique that employs alternating downward and upward strokes in a continuous fashion. If the technique is performed at high speed on a single string or course voicing the same note, it may be referred to as "tremolo picking"[1] or "double picking".
Alternate picking involves a continuous down-up or up-down motion of the picking hand, even when not picking a note (except when the gap lasts longer than one full up-down motion). In this manner, an up-beat (such as an even-numbered eighth note or, at faster tempos, sixteenth note) will always be played with an upward picking stroke, while the down-beats are always played with downward picking strokes. This allows for fluid incorporation of legato-based notes such as hammer-ons and/or pull-offs in the middle of picked phrases.
The technique has many advantages and some disadvantages, largely depending on the licks the guitarist is attempting to play. For example, during fast passages, alternate picking is necessary in keeping the picking arm from tiring out. At very high tempos, alternate picking is essentially required, since techniques like downpicking are made not feasible.
Most scalar runs are most easily played using alternate picking. Similarly, the complex, syncopated rhythm guitar patterns found in death metal require a good alternate picking technique to play fast and accurately.
On the other hand, large arpeggios (especially those spanning more than one octave) are very difficult to play using pure alternate picking and almost impossible to play at great speeds, which is why many guitarists choose to employ sweep picking to play these arpeggios (e.g. Glenn Tipton, K. K. Downing, Frank Gambale & Mario Parga). Similarly, some kinds of licks are easier when played using such specialized techniques as legato, economy picking (a hybrid of alternate and sweep picking) or tapping.
Despite some of the well-known disadvantages of the technique, some guitarists (such as Al Di Meola, Steve Morse) emphasize the near-exclusive use of alternate picking, even in situations where another technique would be easier, claiming that pure alternate picking leads to a more consistent sound and allows for greater control of tone.
Alternate picking can be heard in almost all styles of picked guitar music, from jazz and bluegrass, to heavy metal.
Victor Wooten uses his thumb for alternate picking, as displayed on his DVD Super Bass Solo Technique.
^Julin, Don (2014). Mandolin exercises for dummies (1. ed.). Chichester: Wiley & Sons Ltd. p. 9. ISBN 9781118769539.
"tremolo picking" or "double picking". Alternatepicking involves a continuous down-up or up-down motion of the picking hand, even when not picking a note...
Economy picking is a guitar picking technique designed to maximize picking efficiency by combining alternatepicking and sweep picking; it may also incorporate...
Sweep picking is a guitar-playing technique. When sweep picking, the guitarist plays single notes on consecutive strings with a 'sweeping' motion of the...
[patterns are] forward and reverse "roll[s]"...played in the standard alternatingpicking pattern (dudududu) or in specialized patterns (dduddudd) or (uuduuduu)...
down-strokes are played without the addition of upstrokes (as in alternatepicking), the tip of the pick never comes in contact with the strings as the hand moves...
the use of one or more picking hand fingers, and/or can reduce dexterity in the picking hand. The pros of each guitar picking style are indirectly correlated...
approaches to fast picking are alternatepicking and economy picking. Alternatepicking is when the player strictly alternates each stroke between downstrokes...
second primary exercise for the right hand, which teaches alternatepicking. The guitar pick (plectrum) is held between the thumb and the index finger...
shredding is a complex art form. Shred guitar includes fast alternatepicking, sweep-picking, diminished and harmonic minor scales, tapping, and whammy...
Hybrid picking is a guitar-playing technique that involves picking with a pick (plectrum) and one or more fingers alternately or simultaneously. Hybrid...
wave picking can be used to batch picks, which are then handled via zone or piece picking. A warehouse may also need to support alternatepicking strategies...
performed by placing the side of the picking hand across the guitar's strings, very close to the bridge, while picking. The name is a misnomer as the muting...
Middle Eastern and Mexican influences, a spring reverb, and rapid alternatepicking characteristics. His regional hit "Let's Go Trippin'", in 1961, launched...
Wayne style pick-guard" or more accurately as a "finger rest." Some guitarists have referred to consecutive/alternative picking as "spray picking", although...
have to do all the picking and singing." Instead, the Carters, Maybelle especially, attentively watched and listened to Riddle picking the blues for hours...
warm-up exercises, exercises to avoid injury while playing, alternatepicking, sweep picking, chords and other techniques for developing one's guitar playing...
known for his distinctive playing style, characterized by his fast alternatepicking, use of pinch harmonics, and sense of melody. In 2004, he was included...
whereas Collen, like Willis, was self-taught and developed his fast, alternate-picking technique from studying Al Di Meola and listening to jazz players...
for his use of double handed tapping, extensive whammy bar usage, alternatepicking, rapid staccato and legato scale runs, sweeping, and many other shred-guitar...
tamborim, and applied it to the picking hand. Fingerpicking (also called thumb picking, alternating bass, or pattern picking) is both a playing style and...
as well as others, lead guitar lines often employ alternatepicking, sweep picking, economy picking and legato (e.g., hammer ons, pull offs), which are...
his whammy bar, quick full ascending and descending sweep picking arpeggios, alternatepicking and two-handed tapping on the higher frets as well as incorporating...
also adept at other speed-related techniques such as rapid alternatepicking and sweep picking. Satriani was influenced by Jimi Hendrix and by English rock...
such techniques as two handed tapping, sweep picking (full swept arpeggios), alternatepicking, hybrid picking, artificial and natural harmonics and combining...
techniques usually include alternatepicking, tapping, sliding, legato, and minor to extreme whammy bar use; he also employs sweep picking, although very rarely...
The musical style of his playing and songwriting including fast alternatepicking was also largely influenced by the German metal band Accept. Ian states...
whole basslines. Mendel is known to use a pick almost exclusively. His preferred style was alternatepicking, but on the fifth Foo Fighters album, In Your...
avant-garde jazz and European classical music. He combines rapid alternatepicking and crosspicking with motifs employing whole-tone or diminished pitch...
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