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140 Part III: Beyond the Basics: Playing Like a Pro TEAM LinG
lead than in riff-playing (see Chapter 7 for more on that technique), so I focus
on the more subtle aspects of coaxing out single notes from the guitar.
When you play with a pick, you can use either downstrokes or upstrokes (see
Chapter 5 for an explanation of the two). In rhythm- and riff-playing, downstrokes
are more important and usually suffice. In lead-playing, your down
and up picking must be equally matched and of a certain technical proficiency
to make your solos as controlled and expressive as possible.
In this section, I help you master the technique of alternate picking so you can
apply it to all your single-note playing, even when all downstrokes will do.
Every musical instrument has note combinations or fingering sequences that
are harder to execute than others. But melodies are indifferent to these
mechanical quirks and difficulties. Part of mastering your instrument is
making sure that the listener isn’t aware when you’re making a difficult move
versus when you’re having an easy time of it.
To begin, work on playing both types of strokes with equal ease and facility.
Becoming smooth with your simple
downs and ups
The best way to begin alternate picking is to simply play steady down-updown-up
patterns on an open string. If you can maintain a steady rhythm and
experience no glitches or hesitations in either direction, you’re doing well.
However, many people initially have trouble making their upstrokes as
smooth and loud as their downstrokes. This is natural, because you play
many more downstrokes in guitar than upstrokes. Also, upstrokes go against
gravity and require a little more effort to maintain smoothness all through
the stroke. Just keep practicing, making sure that your upstrokes come up
with the same swift confidence that your downstrokes have.
Don’t think too much about your pick strokes, though — simply play as much
as you can with a pick, and your picking will be smooth as butter in time.
Smoothness in picking is the same as achieving gracefulness in dancing or
skiing. You get there by doing it — over and over.
In notation, a downstroke is indicated by the symbol 2. An upstroke is indicated
by the symbol 4. Be sure to pay close attention to the down- and
upstroke indications in this chapter.