Anton’s Guide to Double Picking: Shred like a Pro

Posted 2 years ago by Anton

Double picking: The Shredder’s Secret Weapon

There are numerous techniques that can be found in a pro shredder’s arsenal. One that doesn’t get talked about enough is double picking. If you listen to the Shred Masters enough, you’ll start to notice certain lightning fast passages that stand out from everything else by repeating notes within a lick. Today I’m going to try to shine some light on this technique, known as double picking.

double picking shred guitar alternate picking — The spirits have more options

What is Double Picking?

If you try to search for double picking online, you’ll find some confusion about what the term actually means. Sometimes it appears to be used as a direct synonym for alternate picking or tremolo picking. Seeing that shred guitar terms are often more colloquial than strictly defined, I wouldn’t presume the authority to say for certain what the definition should be.

That being said, it seems clear that the best definition is the one that is the most useful and makes it unique from the other terms and that’s the definition I’ll be using. It also doesn’t hurt that it happens to be the definition that was used when I first learned the term.

Using that definition, Double picking is a guitar technique that involves using alternate picking to play individual notes two times in a row within a passage or run. This allows for longer and more interesting runs while also providing the opportunity to play faster once the technique is mastered.

It’s used in many different contexts and situations with the most notable being for neoclassical arpeggios and lightning fast modal/diatonic shred runs.

Regardless of what you call it, double picking is an essential technique for any serious shred guitarist to master. So if you’re looking to take your playing to the next level, it’s definitely worth investing some time and effort into mastering this technique.

How to Practice Double Picking

Learning how to double pick effectively takes time and dedicated practice. Here are a few tips to help you get started:

double picking shred mastery

Start by taking a scale you’re already comfortable with and practice playing through the scale by picking each note two times in a row while using steady alternate picking.
Use a metronome to help you keep a steady tempo. Start at a slow tempo and gradually increase the speed as you improve.
Try using different rhythms such as the shuffle rhythm with your double picked notes.
When you’re ready, try the technique using a melody within the scale you’ve practiced.
Try double picking arpeggios both ascending and descending and then string together a progression of double picked arpeggios.
Be patient and don’t get discouraged. Double picking is a challenging technique to master, but with time and practice, you will see improvement.

Double Picked E minor Arpeggio

I’ve put together a quick example for you to see exactly how double picking can be used. Below is an Em arpeggio playing down all 6 strings starting on the 12th fret. Notice that each note, except for the last, is played twice in a row using straight alternate picking all the way through.

double picking Em arpeggio — An E minor arpeggio played at the 12th fret on all 6 strings, using double picking.

Conclusion

Double picking is a vital technique for any shred guitarist looking to take their playing to the next level. Be sure to continue adding new techniques to your shred arsenal such as double picking, sweep picking, economy picking and outside picking, you will begin to get a sixth sense for shred and be able to combine the techniques subconsciously and it won’t be long before you’re playing at the pro level.

While it may take some time and practice to master, the rewards are well worth it. With dedication and the right approach, you too can shred like a pro.

Shred on!

-Anton

Become a Shred Machine with these Alternate Picking Tips

Posted 2 years ago by Anton

Alternate Picking tips for the aspiring Guitar-Shredding Machine

alternate picking tips - shred machine — A Shred Machine

Greetings, aspiring Shred masters! If you’re reading this, you’re probably interested in becoming a guitar-shredding machine. Well, you’re in luck because I’m here to impart some wisdom on the subject with some AAA grade alternate picking tips.

First things first, let’s define what alternate picking is. Basically, it’s the act of using an up-and-down motion with your pick to play melodies, shred runs or arpeggios. This technique allows you to play faster and more accurately, and it’s a crucial aspect of any Shred guitar solo worth its salt.

Now, before you go running off to practice “No Boundaries” at breakneck speed, there are a few things you’ll need to know. First and foremost, make sure you have a solid foundation. This means having a good grasp on the basics of guitar playing, such as chord progressions, scales, and proper finger placement. Without these building blocks, you’ll be stumbling around like a newborn colt trying to walk on ice.

Check out the legendary shred pioneer in action with this essential MAB collection:

Auto Amazon Links: No products found. http_request_failed: A valid URL was not provided. URL: https://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?SearchIndex=All&multipageStart=0&multipageCount=20&Operation=GetResults&Keywords=B00UC3BZ40&InstanceId=0&TemplateId=MobileSearchResults&ServiceVersion=20070822&MarketPlace=US Cache: AAL_6cb5262114eba64df291256fc45038f0

Alternate Picking TIps

So let’s take a look at some alternate picking tips that are going to set you on the path to Shred legend status:

Start slowly: When practicing alternate picking, it’s important to start at a slow tempo and gradually increase the speed as you become more comfortable and accurate. Trying to play too fast too soon can lead to sloppy playing and bad habits. Be patient from the beginning and you’ll save a lot of time and headaches in the long run.
Use a metronome: A metronome is an essential tool for practicing alternate picking because it helps you keep a steady tempo and ensures that you’re playing in time. Start by setting the metronome to a slow tempo and gradually increase it as you become more comfortable.
Practice with a pick: While some guitarists prefer to use their fingers to pick, alternate picking is pretty much impossible without a pick. In all seriousness though, make sure to use a pick that you are comfortable with and use the correct grip and angle when holding your pick to ensure a clean and precise sound.
Focus on accuracy: It’s important to focus on accuracy rather than speed when practicing alternate picking. You’ll never impress MAB with muffled notes and sloppy playing. Watch where your fingers land on the frets to ensure a clear, articulated sound from each note and never try to play faster than you’re current skill level will allow. Sloppy practice leads to sloppy playing and that is not real Shred.
Mix it up: You’re going to need to get comfortable with switching techniques, so make sure to mix up your practice routine by using some legato and other Shred techniques such as finger tapping or sweep picking. This will help keep your playing interesting and keep you from getting bored or frustrated.
Finally, don’t be afraid to experiment and find your own voice on the guitar. While it’s important to learn from and be inspired by other players, the best shredders are the ones who have a unique style and sound. So go out there, grab your guitar, and start shredding like there’s no tomorrow! Just make sure to keep it within the realm of good taste, folks – nobody likes a noodler.

alternate picking tips custom shred guitar with skull and sweep picking

Finally, if you want to take your alternate picking to the ultimate level, you need to learn from the best. Check out Michael Angelo Batio’s indispensable video course series from Doug Marks’ Metal Method.

So there you have it, some pro alternate picking tips. With some dedication and practice, you’ll be tearing up the fretboard in no time.

Just remember to have fun while practicing to avoid burnout and always keep learning. There’s always more to discover on the guitar.

Shred on!

-Anton

Alternate Picking vs. Legato: What’s the difference?

Posted 2 years ago by Anton

Alternate Picking vs. Legato

Greetings, fellow guitar enthusiasts! Today, we’ll be discussing a topic that has plagued the minds of guitar players everywhere: Alternate Picking vs. Legato.

Alternate Picking

First of all, let’s define our terms. Alternate Picking, also known as “AP,” is a guitar technique that involves using an up and down motion to pick individual strings. This method is often used when playing fast, complex passages on the guitar.

It is a key component of any Shred guitarist’s arsenal. In shred guitar, alternate picking is used to play rapid, complex passages that may include rapid string changes, wide intervals, and rapid shifts between different positions on the guitar neck.

Auto Amazon Links: No products found. http_request_failed: A valid URL was not provided. URL: https://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?SearchIndex=All&multipageStart=0&multipageCount=20&Operation=GetResults&Keywords=B07PHJTNKG&InstanceId=0&TemplateId=MobileSearchResults&ServiceVersion=20070822&MarketPlace=US Cache: AAL_f1dd293475939d50caa98d7a98b88279

Alternate picking is particularly useful in this context because it allows the player to maintain a consistent picking motion and keep the pick close to the strings, which can help to increase speed and accuracy. Alternate picking has been used to great effect by pretty much any Shred guitarist you can think of, from Mythical Tapping Maestro Eddie Van Halen to Legendary Shred Wizard Steve Vai.

Robert Baker showing you some Alternate Picked Shred Licks!

Legato

On the other hand, Legato (pronounced “le-gah-toe”) is a technique that involves using the fingers to smoothly transition between notes, rather than picking each one.

In shred guitar, legato can be used to great effect for playing rapid, fluid lines that may also include wide intervals and rapid shifts between different positions on the guitar neck. Legato is achieved by using techniques such as hammer-ons, pull-offs, slides, and even finger tapping, which allow the player to seamlessly transition between notes without the need for additional picking motion.

Clint Tustin showing you some epic legato shred exercises and patterns!

What’s the difference?

So, what’s the difference between these two techniques? Well, it all comes down to speed and control. Alternate Picking is generally considered to be faster, as it allows the player to quickly alternate between strings. However, Legato can be more controlled, as it allows the player to smoothly transition between notes without any extra picking motion.

While alternate picking is often the go-to technique for fast playing in shred guitar, legato can be used to add a sense of fluidity and expressiveness to the playing.

But let’s not get too caught up in the technicalities. At the end of the day, it’s all about what works best for you as a player. Some guitarists swear by Alternate Picking, while others prefer Legato. Ultimately, it’s all about finding the technique that allows you to express yourself the best on the guitar.

If you put the practice in, you’ll be able to use a combination of alternate picking and legato to achieve maximum speed while maintaining expressiveness and musicality.

So don’t stress too much about it. Just pick up your guitar (no pun achieved) and get to it!

Shred on!

-Anton