Six Guitar Picking Techniques to Elevate Your Playing

Downstroke Picking

The downstroke is the first technique most guitarists learn. It involves striking the strings downward toward the ground, allowing the pick to rest against the next string (a "rest stroke"). This method minimizes the distance your pick travels, reducing the chance of hitting the wrong string. By practicing downstrokes, you train your muscles for precise and efficient movements.

Key Points:

• Technique: Stroke downwards, letting the pick rest against the next string.
• Benefit: Reduces the distance traveled, increasing accuracy.

Alternate Picking

Alternate picking, or double stroke, alternates between downstrokes and upstrokes. This technique is essential for playing faster passages, such as 8th notes or quicker. Ensure your wrist moves sideways rather than rotating your forearm. Consistent practice of down-up-down-up strokes will help you avoid bad habits and improve your speed and accuracy.

Key Points:

• Technique: Alternate between downstrokes and upstrokes.
• Benefit: Increases speed and precision for faster passages.

Sweep Picking

Sweep picking is ideal for rapid arpeggio runs. It involves using consecutive downstrokes or upstrokes on adjacent strings to create a fluid, fast sequence of notes. Unlike a regular strum, each note is picked individually. Your left hand should press down one note at a time to ensure clean articulation.

Key Points:

• Technique: Use consecutive downstrokes or upstrokes on adjacent strings.
• Benefit: Enables fast, fluid arpeggio runs.

Notable Artists:

• Yngwie Malmsteen
• Herman Li (Dragonforce)
• Frank Gambale

Fingerpicking

Fingerpicking involves using your fingers instead of a pick. Common in classical, folk, and world music, this technique allows for intricate and expressive playing. Typically, the thumb handles the lower strings, while the index, middle, and ring fingers manage the higher strings. Experiment with rest strokes (fingers rest against the next string) and free strokes (fingers hover above the strings) to achieve different sounds.

Key Points:

• Technique: Use fingers instead of a pick.
• Benefit: Allows for intricate and expressive playing.

Notable Artists:

• Mark Knopfler (Dire Straits)
• Andres Segovia
• Merle Travis
• Joao Gilberto

Hybrid Picking

Hybrid picking combines a pick held between the thumb and index finger with the use of bare fingers. This technique is excellent for playing bass melodies while simultaneously picking chords or melodies on higher strings. It also allows for hitting non-adjacent strings with ease.

Key Points:

• Technique: Use a pick and bare fingers simultaneously.
• Benefit: Facilitates complex playing involving non-adjacent strings.

Notable Artists:

• Buckethead
• Brad Paisley
• Albert Lee
• Brian Setzer

Finger Picks and Thumb Picks

Finger and thumb picks are attached to each finger (except the pinkie) and thumb via a plastic band. These picks produce a crisper, louder sound compared to regular fingerpicking. They are commonly used by banjo players but are also popular among slack key, Dobro, and slide guitarists.

Key Points:

• Technique: Use picks attached to fingers and thumb.
• Benefit: Produces a crisper, louder sound.

Notable Artists:

• Nils Lofgren
• Chet Atkins
• Robert Johnson

Conclusion

Each of these picking styles has traditional applications in specific genres, but don't hesitate to experiment with them in any style you play. These techniques are tools to help you achieve the music you envision. By mastering these methods, you'll become a more versatile and expressive guitarist.

Interesting Stats:

• Speed: Yngwie Malmsteen, a master of sweep picking, can play up to 17 notes per second. Source.
• Popularity: According to a 2020 survey, 60% of guitarists use alternate picking as their primary technique. Source.

By incorporating these techniques into your practice routine, you'll unlock new dimensions in your guitar playing, making you a more well-rounded and skilled musician.