Having just started, and trying my best to follow Lisa's advice, currently on the first bit of the melody section. I'm wondering, should I be picking with an 'up stroke' or a 'down stroke'? I was going downwards, but noticed that Lisa is always picking upwards? Is there best practice or is it personal choice?
I said it was a basic question!
Russell
Originally Posted by: RussellrugbyHaving just started, and trying my best to follow Lisa's advice, currently on the first bit of the melody section. I'm wondering, should I be picking with an 'up stroke' or a 'down stroke'? I was going downwards, but noticed that Lisa is always picking upwards? Is there best practice or is it personal choice?
I said it was a basic question!
Russell
In the end, it is generally personal preference. As best practice, try to alternate from one note to the next as; up-then-down, up-then-down. Or, up/down, up/down, up/down. Clevery (joking), it's called alternate picking. It's the most economical method of picking and will be important as you get better.
Not that, as you get better at guitar, you will always alternate pick, you won't. There will be ways that you play that mix which stroke direction you're playing in a song. It's what give music it's flavor. But learning the alternate picking skill will be very valuable and it really ain't that hard once you're used to it.
