My Alternate Picking Rehab...

[zbalz]

As some of you know, I am currently going through Alternate Picking Rehab because of strict (and probably sloppy) economy picking overdose

I was running through some old songs and licks I learned and relearning them by strictly alternate picking. However, I noticed that a few licks seem MUCH more convenient using a different method. I understand that it is all well to run licks using other methods, however, I am just wondering how you guys would run this blues lick:

D D D U U U U U
----------5---------------------
-------5------8--5--------------
--7(b)--------------7(b)(r)--5--
-------------------------------7
--------------------------------
--------------------------------

The d's mean downstroke and U's are upstrokes, thats how I run it. I understand everyone's different, but would you guys prefer alternate picking something like this?...Just curious.

[StoneDragon]

I would still play that lick using alternate picking.

Just keep in mind that the whole point is to have you in control of how you phrase the music. With that in mind, it doesn't matter how you move the pick. It matters what moving the pick sounds like.

[zbalz]

Yeah but I actually noticed that despite the fact I am more comfortable with this picking, I found myself being more stable and rhythmatic using alternate picking on some of the songs I learned, so I am trying my hardest to break it in.

-zbalz

[StoneDragon]

The important thing is that now you're aware of how your picking technique can effect phrasing and timing. Let that be your guide.

[MrSamson]

Hey...

I have tried to economize my picking at times...but it can throw your timing off...at least for me.

I have been working at raking chord triads in triplets...with a metronome...

Seeing if that helps things...

Later,

MrSamson

[Bardsley]

I find that for that sort of blues lick that my rhythm is much better when alternate picking, I tend to play those first three notes way too fast when sweeping.

[JerBear]

While I practice alternating picking I also have come to use a lot of the other 3 fingers as well in the last year. Just because of that style I can get some interesting sounds that you would be hard pressed to get by pick alone. I just added this as another option to straight alternate picking.

[Eric]

I've relearned that lick using alternate picking, and now it feels weird to do it any other way....

I used to rake it, but I ran into a speed barrier, which I think is due to the fact that the hand picks up downward momentum during the rake. This becomes harder and harder to counter as you go faster.

[joe blow]

Its hard with sweep picking to get rhythmic clarity as it really is a legato technique.I personally alternate pick that lick you mentioned.