| 1. The first thing that you need to do when approaching | | | | 7. Make nice, clean picking movements, even if you |
| alternate picking, whether its for the first time or now, is | | | | have to exaggerate just a little in the beginning to get |
| to make sure that both hands are incredibly relaxed, | | | | the feel. Remember that we are working with down, |
| and that you are holding the pick with a good grip, but | | | | up, down, up, but also understand that different |
| without any tension in the right hand. | | | | groupings of notes make require you to start with an |
| 2. Finding the right balance of grip and relaxation can | | | | upstroke. |
| take time, but it is very important. | | | | 8. In fact I would encourage anyone who wants to get |
| 3. The best exercises to start out with are 3 notes per | | | | really good at alternate picking to play around with all |
| string runs, this is because they will keep the pick | | | | sorts of scenarios of downs and ups. Try to keep the |
| strokes even and consistent. Later on you will want to | | | | transitions between the strings small and clean. Do not |
| mix it up by using different groupings of notes. | | | | rush this part, as it can create future "hiccups" in your |
| 4. If you are just getting started or having trouble, do | | | | shredding. |
| only 3 note per 3 string exercises. Work on the low | | | | 9. Don't be afraid to mix in other techniques, and in fact |
| strings and high strings individually, then attempt to put | | | | this will make you a better player over time. Also don't |
| them together. | | | | be afraid to try and get different tones out of your |
| 5. Turn the volume on your guitar down so that your | | | | alternate picking, by adjusting your grip, angle, and |
| hands will have to work a little harder to pick out clean | | | | approach. |
| notes. This will make full volume playing sound | | | | 10. Make sure not to dig the pick too deep between |
| incredible. | | | | the strings. You want it to glide across, much like |
| 6. Play around with the angle of the pick, and figure out | | | | sweep picking, but with a little bit more snap. There is a |
| how you need to adjust this angle from string to string. | | | | fine balance, and every guitarist is different, so instead |
| This can take a while, but as a big tip - by practicing | | | | of thinking in terms of right and wrong - start thinking in |
| things slow you can figure out where all of the good | | | | terms of good and better for "ME". |
| habits are, and then boost them up from there. | | | | |
