This lead guitar lesson will focus on the commonly used picking techniques used to play guitar solos. Understanding when and how to use a particular picking technique is an important skill in lead guitar playing.
Essentially there are three common picking techniques that will be discussed in this lead guitar lesson; these are using purely downstrokes, alternate picking and sweep picking. Each technique will be best suited to a certain lead phrase, style of music and individual preferences.
Alternate picking, as the name suggests, involves the use of alternating up and down strokes. As an example, to play the C major scale or Ionian mode using three notes per string, with alternate picking, we first typically start with a downstroke on the C note, followed by an upstroke on the D note and then a downstroke on the E. We then shift to the A string where the F note is an upstroke. Next is a downstroke on the G note and then an upstroke on the A, and so on and on. The scale is completed using these up and down strokes. This alternating movement helps maintain steady time and rhythm and enables maximum speed. This lead guitar lesson aims to emphasise the importance of using this style of picking in lead guitar playing.
An advanced and less commonly used lead guitar technique is sweep picking. When used correctly it can provide great speedy lead lines. This picking style is best used to cross several strings using one stroke in one direction. It is best thought of as strumming a chord without letting the notes ring out in a single motion. When crossing adjacent strings, this picking style will enable the best economy of movement and speed.
In lead guitar, often individuals will use purely downstrokes when playing a series of notes. This is probably the easiest and most accurate way to hit a series of notes, although this style of picking has its limitations. By only stroking downwards, one must play twice the speed to achieve the same effect as using the alternate picking method.
When learning lead guitar it is important to practice propper picking technique. A good starting place is to repeat a scale pattern using purely alternate picking. Gradually increase your speed as you improve but not to the point in which your playing gets sloppy. As you practice this type of exercise, your timing, rhythm and precision will improve which will be greatly beneficial to your lead playing. An important lead guitar lesson tip is to start slowly and to always use a metronome to stay in time.
Essentially there are three common picking techniques that will be discussed in this lead guitar lesson; these are using purely downstrokes, alternate picking and sweep picking. Each technique will be best suited to a certain lead phrase, style of music and individual preferences.
Alternate picking, as the name suggests, involves the use of alternating up and down strokes. As an example, to play the C major scale or Ionian mode using three notes per string, with alternate picking, we first typically start with a downstroke on the C note, followed by an upstroke on the D note and then a downstroke on the E. We then shift to the A string where the F note is an upstroke. Next is a downstroke on the G note and then an upstroke on the A, and so on and on. The scale is completed using these up and down strokes. This alternating movement helps maintain steady time and rhythm and enables maximum speed. This lead guitar lesson aims to emphasise the importance of using this style of picking in lead guitar playing.
An advanced and less commonly used lead guitar technique is sweep picking. When used correctly it can provide great speedy lead lines. This picking style is best used to cross several strings using one stroke in one direction. It is best thought of as strumming a chord without letting the notes ring out in a single motion. When crossing adjacent strings, this picking style will enable the best economy of movement and speed.
In lead guitar, often individuals will use purely downstrokes when playing a series of notes. This is probably the easiest and most accurate way to hit a series of notes, although this style of picking has its limitations. By only stroking downwards, one must play twice the speed to achieve the same effect as using the alternate picking method.
When learning lead guitar it is important to practice propper picking technique. A good starting place is to repeat a scale pattern using purely alternate picking. Gradually increase your speed as you improve but not to the point in which your playing gets sloppy. As you practice this type of exercise, your timing, rhythm and precision will improve which will be greatly beneficial to your lead playing. An important lead guitar lesson tip is to start slowly and to always use a metronome to stay in time.
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