Originally Posted by: EPISODERI noticed the other day that the way I hold my pick, makes me prefer to start out on upstrokes rather than downstrokes.

Exactly how do you hold your pick? How would you say it is different than your buddies that play with downstrokes?

Using all upstrokes or all downstrokes is inefficient. It can be useful if you are trying to achieve a certain sound, but in the long run it is best to learn alternate picking (alternating up and down strokes). You can still use upstrokes when you desire that particular effect or when the music is moving slow enough that you can get from one note or chord to the next in time. But if you are serious about improving your skill you will need to practice and achieve a certain competence at alternate picking.

Hope this helps. Happy learning and playing. :)