How to Build Sweeping Patterns
Sweep picking is an advanced guitar technique that relies on fast-moving individual notes to create a sparkling sound. Although difficult to master, sweep picking relies on a basic pattern that, once learned, can be transferred to any chord to create highly intricate sweeping patterns.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Grasp your guitar pick firmly in your right hand.
-
2
Place the index finger of your left hand on the 12th fret of the E string, your middle finger on the 13th fret of the B string and your ring finger on the 12th fret of the G string.
-
-
3
Holding your wrist firm, slowly move the pick across the G string, followed by the B string and lastly the E string. Once you have plucked all three strings, move the pick in the opposite direction, picking the notes in reverse.
-
4
Continue this motion up and down the strings, striving for evenness and continuity between all notes.
-
5
Set your metronome at 60 beats per minute. As you sweep the pick up and down the strings, strike one note each time the metronome clicks.
-
6
Increase the speed of the metronome gradually, until you can fluidly play the pattern at 120 beats per minute.
-
7
Transfer this basic sweep-picking pattern to any major or minor chord.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Avoid the temptation to use your wrist when sweep picking.
References
- Photo Credit Polka Dot RF/Polka Dot/Getty Images
