I always have to stay on top of my alternate picking. I think it is important to practice new stuff when you are working on your alternate picking. I spent a lot of time practicing my alternate picking with the same few shapes.

One day it dawned on me that I was not really learning any new scale shapes or licks but I was spending all of my time woodshedding my alternate picking technique with the same old shapes and licks. Once I started focusing on just learning new things and consistently practicing with a drum machine I found that I did not have to focus on my picking so much.

I guess what I am trying to say is that learning new things, practicing consistently and using a metronome are good ways really devlope your alternate picking and over all musicianship without focusing just on the picking.

Nate Savage