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This lead guitar lesson will explain common picking techniques used in lead guitar playing, the most common of these being alternate picking. Understanding when to use the best picking techniques is an important skill in lead guitar.

Essentially there are three common picking techniques that will be discussed in this lead guitar lesson; these are using purely downstrokes, alternate picking and sweep picking. Each technique will be best suited to a certain lead phrase, style of music and individual preferences.

Alternate picking, as the name suggests, involves the use of alternating up and down strokes. As an example, to play the C major scale or Ionian mode using three notes per string, with alternate picking, we first typically start with a downstroke on the C note, followed by an upstroke on the D note and then a downstroke on the E. We then shift to the A string where the F note is an upstroke. Next is a downstroke on the G note and then an upstroke on the A, and so on and on. The scale is completed using these up and down strokes. This alternating movement helps maintain steady time and rhythm and enables maximum speed. This lead guitar lesson aims to emphasise the importance of using this style of picking in lead guitar playing.

A style of picking less commonly used in lead guitar playing is sweep picking. This too has its advantages when implemented in a certain context of playing. Sweep picking is a continuous stroke over many strings in one single movement. It is similar to playing a chord, but without letting the notes ring out. This style of picking is used with one note per string with the next note on the adjacent string. Sweep picking enables the best economy of movement when crossing consecutive strings by allowing the pick to travel the least amount of distance in order to hit the notes.

In lead guitar, often individuals will use purely downstrokes when playing a series of notes. This is probably the easiest and most accurate way to hit a series of notes, although this style of picking has its limitations. By only stroking downwards, one must play twice the speed to achieve the same effect as using the alternate picking method.

When learning lead guitar it is important to practice propper picking technique. A good starting place is to repeat a scale pattern using purely alternate picking. Gradually increase your speed as you improve but not to the point in which your playing gets sloppy. As you practice this type of exercise, your timing, rhythm and precision will improve which will be greatly beneficial to your lead playing. An important lead guitar lesson tip is to start slowly and to always use a metronome to stay in time.

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