Alternate Picking: The Foundation of Fast Guitar Playing

Alternate picking is the single most important picking technique on guitar. It’s exactly what it sounds like: alternating between downstrokes and upstrokes with your pick. Down, up, down, up - simple in concept, but developing clean, fast, consistent alternate picking takes dedicated practice.

Every fast guitarist - from Yngwie Malmsteen to John Petrucci to Django Reinhardt - relies on alternate picking as their foundation. Even if you later develop economy picking or hybrid picking, alternate picking is where it all starts.

The Technique

Proper Pick Grip

1. Hold the pick between your thumb and the side of your index finger
2. About 3-5mm of the pick tip extends past your fingers
3. Grip firmly enough to maintain control, loose enough to avoid tension
4. The pick should be angled very slightly - not perfectly perpendicular to the string

The Motion

The picking motion comes from your wrist, not your arm or fingers.

• Downstroke: Wrist rotates slightly downward, pick strikes through the string
• Upstroke: Wrist rotates slightly upward, pick strikes through the string going up

Think of turning a doorknob slightly back and forth. The motion is small, controlled, and efficient. Large arm movements waste energy and limit speed.

Pick Angle

Slightly angling the pick (about 10-15 degrees from perpendicular) helps it glide through the strings rather than catching. This reduces resistance and increases speed.

Common Issues and Fixes

Issue: Upstrokes are weaker than downstrokes

This is the #1 alternate picking problem. Most players naturally apply more force on downstrokes.

Fix: Practice upstrokes in isolation. Play a passage using ONLY upstrokes. Then alternate, focusing on matching upstroke volume to downstroke volume.

Issue: Getting stuck at string crossings

When moving from one string to the next, the pick can get “trapped” on the wrong side of the string.

Fix: Practice scales slowly, paying attention to which pick direction you use when crossing strings. The goal is to maintain strict alternation regardless of string changes.

Issue: Speed ceiling

You can play cleanly at 100 BPM but fall apart at 120 BPM.

Fix: Practice at 110 BPM (just above comfortable) in short bursts. Play 4 clean notes, rest, repeat. Gradually build endurance and increase tempo by 5 BPM increments.

Progressive Exercises

Exercise 1: Single String Alternate Picking

On the open 1st string, play:

D U D U D U D U

(D = downstroke, U = upstroke)

Start at 60 BPM, four notes per beat (sixteenth notes). Increase tempo by 10 BPM when it’s perfectly clean. Target: 120 BPM.

Exercise 2: Two-String Crossing

e|---5-7-5-7---|
B|---5-7-5-7---|

Alternate pick across two strings. The challenge is maintaining alternation when crossing - don’t default to two downstrokes on the new string.

Exercise 3: Three-Note-Per-String Scale

e|---5-7-8--------|
B|-----------5-7-8-|

Three notes per string is the most efficient pattern for alternate picking because the pick naturally exits in the right direction for the next string.

Exercise 4: The Spider Exercise

e|---1-2-3-4---|
B|---1-2-3-4---|
G|---1-2-3-4---|
D|---1-2-3-4---|
A|---1-2-3-4---|
E|---1-2-3-4---|

Alternate pick this chromatic exercise across all six strings. This trains string crossing in both directions.

Exercise 5: Speed Bursts

Play 4 notes as fast as you possibly can (even if sloppy), then rest for 4 beats. Repeat. Gradually increase the burst length to 8 notes, then 12, then 16. This teaches your muscles what fast feels like.

Inside Picking vs Outside Picking

When crossing strings, your pick can be either “inside” or “outside” the two strings:

Inside picking: The pick moves between the two strings (e.g., downstroke on the B string, upstroke on the E string). This feels naturally tight and controlled.

Outside picking: The pick moves around the outside of the two strings (e.g., upstroke on the B string, downstroke on the E string). This can feel more awkward but sounds slightly different.

Practice both. Most players have a natural preference, but being comfortable with both gives you full freedom.

Practice Exercises

Exercise 6: Tempo Ladder

Start at your comfortable clean tempo. Play a scale for 4 beats. Increase by 5 BPM. Repeat. When you hit your “sloppy threshold,” drop back 10 BPM and play for 2 minutes. This is your working tempo for the day.

Exercise 7: Metronome Subdivisions

Set the metronome to 60 BPM:

• Play eighth notes (2 picks per beat)
• Play triplets (3 picks per beat)
• Play sixteenth notes (4 picks per beat)

Switching between subdivisions while maintaining alternation builds rhythmic precision.

Common Mistakes

1. Using arm motion instead of wrist. The arm should be relatively still. The wrist does the work. Large arm movements limit speed and cause fatigue.

2. Gripping the pick too tightly. Tension in the picking hand limits speed and fluidity. Use the minimum grip necessary to keep the pick from dropping.

3. Inconsistent pick depth. The pick should pass through the string by only a few millimeters. Going too deep slows you down and causes snagging.

4. Abandoning alternation at string crossings. When crossing strings, beginners often throw in extra downstrokes. Maintain strict down-up alternation. This is the hardest part but the most important.

5. Practicing sloppy at high speed. Never practice faster than you can play cleanly. Speed built on sloppy foundation is speed that falls apart under pressure.

Try This in Guitar Wiz

Set the Metronome in Guitar Wiz to your target tempo and practice alternate picking exercises with the click. Start slow, increase by 5 BPM increments, and only move up when the current tempo is perfectly clean. The metronome’s precise timing helps you identify when you’re rushing or dragging.

Download Guitar Wiz on the App Store · Explore the Metronome →

FAQ

Is alternate picking better than economy picking?

Neither is “better” - they serve different purposes. Alternate picking is more versatile and rhythmically consistent. Economy picking is slightly faster for scalar passages. Most players use alternate picking as their primary technique.

How long does it take to develop fast alternate picking?

Noticeable improvement comes within 2-4 weeks of daily practice. Reaching “shred” speeds (180+ BPM sixteenth notes) takes months to years of dedicated work.

Should I practice with a metronome?

Absolutely. The metronome is your best friend for building picking speed. It ensures you’re actually getting faster rather than just feeling faster.

People Also Ask

What is alternate picking on guitar? Alternate picking is the technique of alternating between downstrokes and upstrokes with a guitar pick, creating a consistent, efficient picking pattern.

How do I pick faster on guitar? Use wrist motion, keep the pick angle slightly tilted, practice with a metronome at gradually increasing tempos, and maintain strict alternating down-up patterns.

Is alternate picking necessary? It’s the most fundamental picking technique. While you can explore economy picking and other methods later, alternate picking is the essential foundation.