up- and downward strokes to improve picking

[progg]

... and I don't mean alternate picking.

I'm currently trying to build up speed and accuracy with alternate picking. Been practicing for a few days when I the other day suddenly stopped and started stroking the strings upswards only... Couldn't believe how slow I played that that. Tried the downstrokes aswell and it too was very slow.

Anyone actually exercising these? I mean.. improving upward strokes and downward strokes? It would be logical that one would improve speed but have anyone had any experience with this?

Regards,
Progg

[friskynibbles]

if i'm playin and my hand is moving up i strike upwards. whatever will hit it fastest. it's not something i think about when i'm playing.
*shrug*

[progg]

I meant repeatative upward strokes to improve speed picking.

[lalimacefolle]

I've heard that James HETFIELD played only downstrokes, even in high speed riffs.

Carlos santana has used only downstrokes to improve his speed (try playing your favorite lick with downstrokes only, use a metronome, increase, then try with up and downstrokes....wooooosh!!!)

[crazyguy]

What you need is Little Black Dots on vai.com. There's a lesson covering exactly what you're talking about.