You can pick real fast if you know Alternate Picking
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Short Description: Now you can also pick strings as fast as some of your idols do.
Alternate picking is a method where you strictly pick in a downward and an upward motion alternately in a continuous run. When alternate picking is done very fast on a single note it is sometimes called tremolo picking.
Alternate picking reduces wrist movement a great deal while you play notes so it becomes that much easier to play the guitar. In fact, if you master this art of picking you can execute a fast picking lick flawlessly even on a bad hair day.
The first step however would be to go and get a brand new pick. It should be of medium thickness so that you can pick the strings firmly without in any way muting them. Slip the pick between your thumb and forefinger. The pointed edge should peep out with about two thirds of it being hidden between the fingers. This happens to be the most “favored” way of holding the pick.
But legendary musicians have held it in their different ways and still been able to produce unforgettable music. So, my suggestion is hold it in a manner you’re comfortable with and see to it that you are able to execute the notes without much effort. That’d be the best way for you.
Don’t forget the basic reason why you want to learn alternate picking. It is to be able to do a fast run. Hence be very careful to choose the right area of the string you’d pick. If you pick nearer the neck you’ll get a mellower tone than the treble you’d hear if you pick near the bridge. Judge the tone which would be most suitable before you start to play.
The angle at which the pick strikes the string is also equally important. If you want a crystal clear tone hold the pick parallel to the strings while they are struck. If you tend to strike the strings with the pick held at an angle, the tones won’t be so crystal clear.
There are obviously two basic movements in alternate picking - the upstroke and the downstroke. Some players keep their wrists stiff and do all movements from their elbow while others go for circular picking using their thumb and index fingers. But most of the players prefer moving their wrists for alternate picking. Here again there is no “best” approach. Whatever you feel comfortable with is best for you.
Start practicing with short repetitive patterns at a moderate tempo of 80 - 100 beats per minute. You may use a metronome to maintain the beats. Slowly but steadily increase the tempo to 160 beats per minute. When you can play flawlessly at this speed you may rightly congratulate yourself that you’ve become a true pro!
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