Sweep picking vs alternating picking?

axemaster911
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Joined: 01/28/06
Posts: 165

axemaster911
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Joined: 01/28/06
Posts: 165

12/12/2006 7:32 am

Are these two terms describing basically the same motion, or is there a major difference in meanings of both terms?
When I see both terms I think of upstroke-downstroke, or downstroke-upstroke in rapid succession. Im not sure on sweep picking though, Im thinking the fretting hand comes into play more as far as technique goes with sweep picking. But really, who knows the best technique, and/or touch of style to explain perfect sweep picking mastery? :D

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# 1

12/12/06
7:32 am

ren
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ren
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Joined: 02/03/05
Posts: 1,985

12/12/2006 10:49 am

alternate picking is strict 'down-up-down-up' motion regardless of movement between strings.

Sweep picking is more like strumming a chord. A single downward or upward motion crossing strings in the same direction and fretting notes as appropriate. You mute with the palm of the picking hand, and take your fingers off the frets right after you hit the note, so you get each one sounding separate, rather than the notes blending in to each other.

Sweep picking and economy picking are strictly speaking the same thing - it's just about whether you stick to strcit 'down-up-down-up' (hence 'alternate' picking), or whether you move the pick in the direction of the string you are moving to ('economy' comes from the minimal movement needed). Sweep picking is usually used to blast through an arpeggio ultra-fast...

Try a forum search - there's a fair bit on it. :cool:

Check out my music, video, lessons & backing tracks here![br]https://www.renhimself.com

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# 2

12/12/06
10:49 am

Ryan Buckner
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Joined: 11/13/06
Posts: 40

Ryan Buckner
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Joined: 11/13/06
Posts: 40

12/12/2006 8:07 pm

I would use economy picking for scalar type runs, and sweeping for arpeggios. Although there are many variations on arpeggios where alternate, economy, and sweep picking styles are to be utilized..so I would really suggest practicing all 3 styles.

Ryan Buckner, Ysrafel

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# 3

12/12/06
8:07 pm

jrvipond
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jrvipond
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Posts: 20

12/18/2006 11:36 am

Learning how to alternate pick has been essential for me, though I'm glad I've started to learn economy picking as its making things much easier. Its just getting into the habbit of doing it without thinking that is the tricky part!

http://www.myspace.com/impostorsuk

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# 4

12/18/06
11:36 am

esprocker
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esprocker
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Posts: 10

12/26/2006 1:52 am

both styles are important. dont get too bogged down in one or the other. also, if you are having trouble with sweep picking, try a technique called rake picking. its something i picked up from satch. its very similar to sweeping in that you make smooth motions of the pick over several strings. however for raking your fingers are already in place. it makes regular chords, especially bar chords, sound tremendously interesting.

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# 5

12/26/06
1:52 am

Virage
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Virage
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Posts: 7

01/14/2007 1:34 am

Once you learn alternate picking you'll use it for everything and economy picking will follow. I only just started learning sweep picking as it isn't used so commonly but its a very useful skill to get down to help improve your soloing speed.

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# 6

1/14/07
1:34 am

Joined: 09/09/24
Posts: 0

01/14/2007 2:01 am

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# 7

1/14/07
2:01 am

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Sweep picking vs alternating picking?

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