Guitar Picking Techniques

A guide to different guitar picking techniques

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There are several techniques to playing your guitar while using a pick.  While a pick isn't necessary to play the guitar, you can do so many different things with a pick

We are going to discuss 3 different guitar picking techniques that I use and know about when I play the guitar.  These picking techniques are some of the more standard uses of a pick.

You may come up with your own picking techniques and I hope you do!  That is the great thing about guitar playing...you always can re-invent yourself and the way you play.

1. Down Stroke Or Down Picking

Down picking is the more standard, frequently used picking technique in the guitar industry.  This method of picking is used in many styles of music ranging from hardcore to basic chord melodies.

Down Stroke is an excellent base to start using your new guitar picks and playing your guitar.

Make sure you have a good grip on your pick (also try Guerilla Snot for extra grip) and start stroking your pick downwards on your chords and Viola!  DOWN PICKING!

2. Pick Sliding

This guitar picking technique is more used for the avid guitar player.  If not used correctly could wind up with a horrible sound that could result in an absent audience.

It's also used as a chorus setup and to start a new chorus as well.  Blink 182 likes to use this style in some of their older styles.

Always make sure you have a firm grip between your fingers and get the edge of the pick against the coils on your string and slide upwards towards your lower frets. 

This guitar picking technique does take some practice and will require some late nights with Mountain Dew and your amp cranked loud to find a great sound that you like...and won't get you shot!

3. Sweep Picking

WORD OF CAUTION: This is for advanced players only...well not only, but it is rather difficult and you could wind up forgetting the whole thing and trying a new instrument if you start of with this guitar picking technique first. Visit online poker sites and feel the success to the full extend!

For sweep picking, you have to be perfect on your timing, your finger and string contact must be precise or you'll get a muffled noise that won't sound good at all.

Slightly bend your finger to let your pick slide better across the strings.  Sweep picking is a single motion of picking.  It's sweeping your pick across the strings without letting up for air. Always make sure that you keep your wrist loose...this is key to doing this guitar picking technique! payday loans online

Hitting your notes and sweeping your pick have to be dead on for this to sound right.  Micheal Angelo Batio is known for this guitar picking technique and is one of the fastest sweep pickers alive.

If you don't have any picks, than I totally recommend you pick some up immediately.  I have found some great guitar picks for you already...so there you go...enjoy!