Table of Contents
What Is Sweep Picking?
Sweep picking is a guitar technique where you play single notes consecutively across 2 or more adjacent strings using a single picking motion, similar to strumming. This lets you play arpeggios quickly and easily.
Learning how to sweep is the first step towards learning economy picking.
Understanding Sweep Picking
Sweep picking uses a single continuous motion, either downward (ascending) or upward (descending), to “sweep” across multiple strings. When descending, you may need to pick upwards, then pull off, to start the upward sweep picking motion.
The fretting hand needs to stay in sync with the picking hand, playing one note at a time as you move across strings. This results in an arpeggio, rather than a chord, because the notes are not played in harmony.
Here’s an easy sweep picking lick to help you understand. It has 6 picking motions:
Down-Down-Down-Up-Pull Off-Up
How Guitarists Use Sweep Picking
Guitarists use sweep picking to create fast, clean, arpeggiated lines for solos and melodies. It’s a common technique in shred guitar and all styles of hard rock and metal, especially neoclassical metal.
What Are Examples of Sweep Picking?
Here are 3 classic examples of sweep picking.
“Arpeggios from Hell” by Yngwie Malmsteen
“Serrana” by Jason Becker
“Eugene’s Trick Bag” by Steve Vai
This is from the movie “Crossroads“.
What Are Common Sweep Picking Mistakes?
Common sweep picking mistakes include:
- Inconsistent pick attack, such as picking too aggressively
- Letting notes ring together in harmony, rather than one note at a time
- Rushing on the way down, then getting off rhythm on the way up
- Playing notes out of sync, resulting in a sloppy shred sound
Conclusion
Sweep picking is a foundational picking technique, and it’s perfect for playing arpeggios on the guitar.
Practice slowly, focus on keeping your notes clean, and work on a variety of sweep picking exercises.
Here are some sweep picking tips with exercises to help you master the technique.