Basic Picking

MASTER THE BASICS OF PICKING AND IMPROVE YOUR SOLOING TECHNIQUES WITH THIS IN-DEPTH LESSON BY CHRIS BIRD.

“I already use a pick. What more do I really need to know?”

Good question! Picking is a surprisingly involved area of guitar playing. Though you only have to choose between downstrokes and upstrokes, how you employ that triangular piece of plastic can have a major impact on technique, playing speed, and even your tone.

“Well, consider me surprised! What else can you tell me?”

When you pluck your guitar’s strings, you’ll use either a downstroke or an upstroke. Simple, right? However, if you use a technique known as ‘alternate picking’, you can improve your timing and speed. You’ll probably do it naturally – it’s harder to explain than it is to get started, in fact.

“You might as well try and explain it, though!”

Yes, well here goes! The idea is to sync your downstrokes and upstrokes in time with the music you’re playing. You’ll probably feel emphasis in the music which will guide you. Take a look at the boxout where we explain more.

“Down, up, down, up – I get it, but I’m struggling to apply it to my playing.”

Remember, most real music features space and rhythm – not just constant runs of alternate picking. The trick is to keep your down-up motion going even where there isn’t a note to play. Take a listen to the first verse in Cory Wong’s “The Optimist” to hear how it’s done.

“Do lots of guitar players tend to use alternate picking?”

Every guitarist uses it to some extent. Certain songs even feature long runs of pure alternate picking. For instance, Rammstein’s jaw-dropping shock-rock epic “Deutschland” features Richard Kruspe’s cool alternate picked line played in unison with the synth. Full-on alternate picking like this is really hard, though – for now, you’re better off using it in small bursts, where it’ll actually be easier than using only downstrokes or some other rhythm. Like we say: it’ll help you stay in time and gradually build speed.

“Got it. Shall we play some music?”

Sure! Take a look at the first tab example below. It’s a fairly simple hard rock lead guitar line. There are potentially several different ways you could pick it, but be sure to start with a down-up-down run to manage that quick opening phrase. Our second tab example follows essentially the same rhythm, but with different notes. You can use strict alternating or experiment with a more fluid approach.