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Copyright 2011 C E Martin Publishing *all rights reserved*


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INTRODUCTION: Please Read:

Hi and Welcome!

My name is Clifford Martin, thank you for downloading this free

alternate picking e-book.

This book is a simple technique guide only. I am in no way trying to

Preach in my approach to this book. My only aim is to impart subtle and sometimes

hidden information. These concepts are really a guide for those who are stuck or who

are unsure of what is involved regarding the physical elements required for the

alternate picking method of the guitar.

Thanks and Enjoy,

Clifford Martin 2011

Copyright 2011 c Clifford Earle Martin *All RightS Reserved* Uk/Euro/USA


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TABLE OF CONTENTS:

PAGE 1.WHAT IS ALTERNATE PICKING

PAGE 2.HOLDING THE PLECTRUM

PAGE 4..PLECTRUM GRIP

PAGE 5..VARIOUS OTHER PLECTRUM GRIPS

PAGE 6..WHAT IS HAPPENING WHEN WE PICK?

PAGE 7..A WORD FROM THE PROS

PAGE 8...STRAIGHT LINE THEORY

PAGE 9...STRING ALIGNMENT

PAGE 11..ALIGNMENT EXERCISE

PAGE 12.AVOID!

PAGE 13..FLAOTING/ANCHORING..

PAGE 14..ANGLING PLECTRUM

PAGE 15..METRENOME

PAGE 16..IN CONCLUSION


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What is Alternate Picking?

Alternate picking is a strict Up and Down Picking Movement as opposed to a

hammering on and pulling off technique. We do this by employing a relaxed wrist

motion. [But NEVER do we pick from a tensed elbow!]. We sometimes use a floating

motion across the strings and sometimes a pivoting or anchoring technique by resting

our palm lightly on the bridge of the guitar. The exercise below demonstrates the

basic Down Up and Up Down Strict alternate picking movement.

DOWN STROKE UPSTROKE

EX.1Down Up etc. Up Down etc.

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HOLDING THE PLECTRUM

When Holding the pick [plectrum] the thumb needs to be RIGID but NOT tense

[Flexible is the best definition]. There must be NO tension in the hand either. [ With a

loose thumb it is easy to drop the pick or loose fluidity.]

Ex.2 Simple exercise for holding the Pick:

Put out your hand as if to shake hands

Bring the fingers in as if to hold a cup

Bring down the thumb. It can remain Flexible but not wobbly and helpless.

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Inside of plectrum grip. [Fingers Lightly Folded In]

Basic Grip with the THUMB as the Powerhouse [The power comes from the thumb].

Ready to Play! Although the thumb is gripping the plectrum firmly there is NO tension.

Also the wrist, hand and forearm are ALWAYS Relaxed

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PLECTRUM GRIP

The Classic Plectrum Grip

Although the hand is closed it is NOT Tensed in any way. The fingers just tuck in

Lightly.This is the most common or Classic grip and is a really excellent grip if you

are having problems with your picking hand . This is the grip as used by the great

improvisers like John Mclauhglin, Shawn Lane, Guthrie Govan, Robert Fripp and Al Di

Meola.

Classic Plectrum Grip

With a loose thumb it is impossible to gauge distances as you will aim to

pluck the string and then suddenly change the distance as you bend the

thumb to actually pluck the string.

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VARIOUS OTHER PLECTRUM GRIPS

Other Grips:

MAB Anchoring Crutch Fanned out [e,g Lynch] Finger out [sometimes Meola]

PLEASE NOTE:

Different players grip the pick in different fashions. I use the classic John Mclaughlin

grip because I feel it is the best one when it comes to jazz/fusion improvisation and

complex rhythms. But, the basic concept of holding of the pick between the thumb

and the forefinger remains the same for all. Whichever grip you choose alwaysremember that regardless of how you hold the plectrum, It is the Principles that

always remain the same.

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WHAT IS ACTUALLY HAPPENING WHEN WE ARE ALTERNATE PICKING?

Plectrum and string Alignment

If we look at the diagram below we can see what is PHYSICALLY taking place when

we are picking across from the Outside of the 1stand 2nd strings. We are skipping

over the second string and Not even Touching it, before we come back down to

pluck it!

UP SKIP OVER PLUCK DOWN

This is known as Coming UP on the UP Stroke. When we do this we naturally Align

with the next string that we wish to pluck. This gives us the Correct Leverage and

hand positioning so that we can play each note AS IT COMES. This works naturally

regardless of Floating or Pivoting from the bridge of the guitar.

= UP SKIP OVER PLUCK DOWN

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A WORD FROM THE PROS:

Michael Batio and Paul Gilbert demonstrated this in the late 1980s. Here is their

interpretations of this simple concept. Both of these exercises employ alternate

picking from the Outside of the strings.

MAB Exercise for the Up Stroke

In this Paul Gilbert Example he Doubles the coming up on the upstroke concept to

really emphasis how essential this is.

This concept is so illusive that many guitarists miss it or just give up. It connects

Everything. This is the little hinge that swings the big door!

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Straight line scientific theory

A REFERENCE POINT ONLY:

When coming up on the upstroke it is a good idea to follow a Straight line angled

at Around 45 degrees. This means that we will pluck each string with exactly the

same motion and plucking hand shape when we cross the strings. This in turn enables

us to pluck each string as it comes rather than haphazardly chasing after notes.

Scientifically speaking the Shortest and Quickest route between any two points is a

Straight line. Arcs and curves defeat economic motions. If you come Up on the up

stroke then this generally occurs naturally.

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String Alignments and straight line theory

In the diagram below we can easily see the right hand crossing the strings following a

straight line around 45 degrees picking each string naturally as it comes. We can alsosee that the right hand is always aligned with the string it wishes to pluck.

Straight wrist following a straight line at around 45 degrees Aligned with the 6thstring

Open E


Open A


Open D

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Straight wrist following a straight line at around 45 degrees Aligned with the 3rdstring

Open G

Straight wrist following a straight line at around 45 degrees Aligned with the 2ndstring

Open B

Straight wrist following a straight line at around 45 degrees Aligned with the 1ststring

Open E

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SIMPLE ALIGNMENT EXERCISE

In this simple exercise below we will APPLY all of the above to all 6 open strings. [No

fretting required]. This will probably feel awkward at first but it is just so that you can

get the Feel and understanding behind the Straight line and the Coming Up on the

Upstroke Concept.

REMEMBER: The movement comes from the Wrist not the forearm and certainly NOT

from the elbow.

Use the Tip of the Plectrum

It is essential to use the TIP of the plectrum and AVOID Digging in to deeply between

the stings with it. [Otherwise you will have to dig out with it and loose momentum].

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lOCKING THE WRIST AND FORCING: AVOID!

A Word of Caution:

Many beginners rest on the bridge of the guitar aligned with ONE string and try to

pluck or tremelo 4 or more strings really fast from that one position without coming Up

on the upstroke to the next string! This is IMPOSSIBLE and means that they will

generally ARC and jam the wrist and force Damaging movements from the elbow.

BAD Jammed Wrist GOOD STRAIGHT Wrist

If you do Arc your wrist you will probably Stick around the 3rdor 4th strings. This

can lead to the excessive use of force and cause DAMAGE to the tendons and the

elbow.Alternate Picking Always consists of a light and relaxed movement employingthe same Leverage at a slow pace as it does at a fast pace.

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PALM ANCHORING / FLOATING [Shifting Position across all 6 strings]

Remember: When you come Up on the up stroke you will naturally be aligned with

the next string that you wish to pluck

Below: The Right arm rests on the top edge of the guitar holding it gently but steady.

Palm in Position for Descent Ready to Play Descending

Palm in Position for Ascent Ready to play Ascending

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ANGLING THE PLECTRUM:

It is worth experimenting on angling the pick. Many top players do this. [See Diagram

below].As you progress this enables you to slice more easily through all 6 strings

whilst varying the edge to the tone of your picking. By employing Straight line

theory the plectrum will naturally angle.

Pick FLAT Pick ANGLED

It is best to use a Hard Plectrum for speed picking. E,g JIM DUNLOP 1.20MM and

then some!

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Metrenome

It is essential to practice with a metrenome. This will iron out all of the creases in your

playing as well as maintaining smooth and fluid alternate picking lines.

You can also use a drum synth or any device that keeps accurate time.

Classic Metrenome Digital Metrenomes

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IN Conclusion:

Despite its popularity with Heavy Metal alternate picking is an excellent technique

when employed for the acoustic guitar or the execution of clean electric guitar lines.

It is also very useful for serious improvisation when for example one is soloing through acomplex chord chart.

Many thanks for reading this book. I hope that it has been of some use to you.

I wish you all the best!

Good Luck and thank you for downloading this book.

Clifford Earle Martin 2011

Copyright 2011 c Clifford Earle Martin *All RightS Reserved* Uk/Euro/USA

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