There is no one correct way to play guitar, as everyone who picks up an instrument will approach it slightly different. But there are some standards that most people follow. In this lesson we’ll discuss the most common of the picking techniques: Alternate Picking.
Alternate picking is the most common picking technique, it is easy to understand, and once mastered, can transform a player’s sound for the better.
The concept behind alternate picking is simple. By combining down strokes with up strokes when picking, a player minimizes the movement necessary to pick individual strings.
To put it metaphorically, if in the same day you needed to mail a letter, and pick up a package at the post office it would not make sense to go once in the morning and drop off the letter only to return later that day and pick up your package.
Less motion = Greater speed and precision.
The below diagram illustrates the Alternate Picking Technique
At this point it might also be useful to talk about good picking technique.
It is important to always keep in mind as a budding guitarist the physical properties of the elements you’re dealing with. In this case I am referring to the pick itself and the strings, both of which fall into the category of solid matter. What this means to you is that no matter how hard you try a pick will never pass through a string. Instead something must give or bend.
Therefore when you approach the instrument make sure to keep several things in mind:
- Keep your picking light and loose.
- Don’t “dig” your pick into the strings too far, using only the very tip of the pick if at all possible
- Make sure that your pick is “sweeping” over a string, meaning that it is approaching the string with a slight angle for least resistance.
- The angle of approach should change depending on which direction you are approaching the string from. Again, try to emulate the motion of a broom.
Alternate picking in practice:
And while alternate picking seems like a simple concept, many beginning students fail to recognize its importance. Without having mastered this idea, they progress very slowly.
To practice alternate picking, choose several songs you are already familiar with. As you play them, pay close attention to your picking hand. Make sure that every down stroke is being followed by and up, and so on. Play slowly if you have to. By being persistent and paying close attention to your technique, you will soon have another useful tool to add to your arsenal.
-Also, if this article interested you, keep an eye out for some future articles on different picking techniques including economy picking, sweep picking, and tapping. But for now I’ll just have to leave you hanging 
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- The Big Picture
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- Good Things…
- “Making It” In Music
- Practice Progression
May 24th, 2007 at 9:24 am
Good article! I try to remember to let my wrist do most of the work instead of my elbow. This would follow from your advice to keep it light and loose. Also, what are your thoughts on using your pinky finger as kind of an anchor? I notice that I do this occasionally and haven’t figured out whether it’s a bad habit or not.
May 24th, 2007 at 8:10 pm
Good point! Anchoring yourself is not a bad thing at all as long as you don’t use one particular anchor point as a crutch. I tend to use a variety of anchor points, (including my pinky on the pick guard) when I play. I also like to constantly remind my students that it’s not necessarily ALL about technique. Do what works for you as long as you’re achieving the sound you desire, and if you aren’t then try something that works better.