So I've taken there lockdown as an opportunity to try and unlearn some bad habits and so far I've managed to sort out how I hold my pick after a mere 35 years. But I am feeling the benefit in terms of precision.
The next thing I am looking at is my picking when I play my scales, and I have noticed that I am not always using strict alternate picking and that I will continue with a down pick when I am moving to the next string (ascending scale) e.g. I am playing an E shape major scale and I will play:
(E string) down up
(A string) down up down
(D string) down...
Clearly it's not alternate but for me (at the moment) it flows more to continue the down stroke to the next string. Is this another bad habit? What are the benefits of keeping to strict alternate picking? I am overthinking? Any comments / thoughts appreciated
Comments
“Theory is something that is written down after the music has been made so we can explain it to others”– Levi Clay
But saying that ...alternate gives a different kind of feel and sound I think ..
I reckon it's better to get as many different techniques as possible and use as and when needed depending on the sound wanted or the easiest way to negotiate it
- I'm a bit faster on my scales using this method
- I'm a LOT better at selecting notes and picking them confidently when I solo / noodle.
caged scales are usually laid out mainly with three notes per string and one or two strings that only have 2 notes , so you need to pick the 3 note ones twice and the two note strings can be left as they are or doubled or trebled. Someone else could explain it better.
its just that it sets your pick up for the best position when you change strings.
check out some alternate picking YouTube stuff from Ben Ellen or Ben Higgins , Troy Grady etc
Someone else may explain better than me
I agree with the general sentiment that if it works for you and lets you do what you want to be able to, then there’s no right or wrong.
In terms of the pure alternate picking vs economy picking discussion, the way I try to see it is about giving yourself as many options as possible in a given situation.
For example in the original example of ‘down up down’ on the A string, if you are only able to economy pick then the only place you can go is to the D string with a down pick - i.e. the place you go next is dictated by the direction of the last pick movement. However if you are able to use full alternate picking then the up pick could go either to the D string OR back up to the E string. So you now have more flexibility.
Using full alternate picking from A -> D would be outside picking, while deciding to go back up A -> E with an upstroke would be inside picking. If you can get these 2 patterns down then you can go from any string to any other string regardless of whether you’re on an up pick or a down pick.
Another thing this gives you is that it completely removes the need for any distinction between even or odd numbers of notes per string. It works for both. Whereas in the economy picking example you provide, you’re having to essentially change your picking style when moving between strings depending on if there are 2 or 3 notes per string.
You can definitely try and always start your phrases specifically on a down stroke or an upstroke, and make sure you only play an even or odd number of notes to accommodate your habits, but sometimes you don’t know where a phrase will end up so it can be good to have the flexibility to go anywhere.