Acoustic Guitar Cross Picking in 5 minutes • Acoustic Tuesday 255
Learn cross picking on acoustic guitar in just 4 easy steps with this simple, easy-to-use approach!
Cross picking is a picking pattern that involves skipping strings in your picking pattern. It doesn’t use fingers, instead opting for a pick. It’s a great way to get that cascading finger pick sound but with more bite!
The hardest part of cross picking lies in switching pick directions. While normal strumming strikes all the strings in one direction, cross picking has you alternating pick direction with each string you strike.
To help you learn how to cross pick, I’ve created 4 easy steps — think of them as checkpoints or mini-lessons. Once you feel good at one part, move on to the next one!
On one final note, don’t forget to check out the cross picking musicians that I’ve listed in the episode. They’re incredibly talented and worth giving a listen to if you’re interested in learning this great strumming pattern.
Featured in this Episode…
- Gwenifer Raymond
- Bob Minner
- SantaCruzGuitarCo
I liked how this guide makes cross picking seem much easier to learn. Breaking it down into four steps is a great idea, especially for someone just starting out. The tips on changing the pick direction were easy to understand. I also enjoyed the suggestions for guitarists to listen to. A useful post for anyone looking to get better at acoustic guitar.
I liked how it breaks the technique into four simple steps, which makes it feel much easier to learn. The explanation about changing the pick direction was also helpful. It sounds like a great way to create a smooth fingerpicking-style sound while still using a pick
Cross picking offers a practical way to create cascading acoustic guitar patterns using a pick. Breaking the technique into four steps makes learning string skipping feel much more approachable.
I like that this breaks cross picking down into smaller checkpoints instead of making it sound like some advanced guitar trick. The part about changing pick direction is probably where most players get stuck, especially when trying to keep the rhythm steady. I’d probably practice the string skips really slow first and focus more on clean movement than speed. Also curious how much the pick thickness changes the feel of this technique, because that seems like it could make a bigger difference than people expect. A few sloppy reps are pretty normal too.
Breaking cross-picking down into small steps makes this technique much easier for beginners. It is a fantastic way to practice changing picking directions and string skipping. Thanks for sharing!
As someone learning guitar techniques, I like how cross picking is broken into four manageable checkpoints. Explaining the string skipping and alternating pick directions makes the technique feel much less intimidating for beginners.
The part about switching pick direction is probably where most beginners will struggle, especially when trying to keep the rhythm steady. I like that the method breaks cross picking into small checkpoints instead of treating the whole pattern as one complicated movement. One thing I’d add is that practicing very slowly with a metronome can make the string changes feel more natural before increasing speed.
Cross picking looks intimidating at first, but breaking it down into a few simple steps makes the technique feel much more approachable,step-by-step approach makes the picking pattern easier to understand and gives players something practical to work on during practice!
I came across this blog and found the guitar learning tips very helpful. The step-by-step approach to mastering cross picking makes the technique easier to understand, while the practical guidance encourages musicians to improve their skills with consistent practice.
Your point of view caught my eye and was very interesting. Thanks. I have a question for you.
This taught me the pick direction switch importance. Tried the first two steps last night without a metronome and it helped with coordination.definitely recommend practicing with the listed artists to get the classic tone right.
I don’t think the title of your article matches the content lol. Just kidding, mainly because I had some doubts after reading the article.
thanks tony inspiring and comfortable, no I don’t want clocked by puck!
Tony
Cross picking…. How can you possibly, not mention Dan Crary….?
Love the show!
Thanx Tony, U make it look easy!
https://fb.watch/fu-GW4rmca/ Thought I would share this link of the Barcelona guitar trio. A lot of work went into this. Thanks for the Acoustic Tuesday show. And for TAC I was about to give up Dec 21 guitar geeks came my computer thought I would try it for 3 months before trying to sell my guitars. some days I wonder why I’m still here. Then the next day I set down for my 10 minutes and it all falls in place. Thanks Tony and all that help along the way. Find the fun I did
Great lesson for someone still trying to figure out a style to land on. Fingerstyle is my first go-to but struggle with dexterity issues. Less thinking and more practice lol
I’m not very dexterous, I didn’t know about cross-picking. It is difficult for me, but I’ll keep practicing. 🙂
Holy Cow Tony do I love cross picking!!! Like meditation it is a life time practice and darn near just a rewarding.
A little bummed that I missed my first acoustic challenge here. New and into the play 30 days. Learning how to do stuff on my I pad, lots of goofs. Excited to be here. Correct bad habits and play guitar. The crosspicking is hard but looking forward to getting it down.
I love these mini lessons. They are easy to follow, give us another tool and inspire us to try something new when we practice.
Keep ’em coming!!
Great Episode, tnx!
Hi Tony
Can you provide tablature for the cross-picking examples (5 mins learning section) you demonstrated?
Carol
Tony, I shuddered watching you drive and film! My niece Paige Melanson aged 17 had her life cut short by someone doing a similar thing, he was checking his e mail and looked away at the wrong time. In an instant ne was into the rear of the car with the result that Paige was instantly killed. Please do not do this again, it ruined Acoustic Tuesday for me but more importantly you may feel qualified to do it but it results in death not to mention eniurmous lawsuits. Please no! A lesson for all that text, phone, check e mail, it can happen to you.
Tony scary movies to scary states Watch House came back to Iowa not Iowa City but play in a barn last night. What a great show thanks for your recommendation early.
Whoa Tony – Talk about Acoustic News with the Moves!! I think you condensed a 35 minute show into 23 minutes and 48 seconds … great content but let me catch my breathe! We don’t move that fast over here.