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Tony’s Acoustic Challenge – The New Way to Learn Guitar Family Forums Community Support Reason for Alternate Picking style being taught

  • Reason for Alternate Picking style being taught

    Posted by Ross H on May 6, 2021 at 11:51 am

    I apologize if this is covered in one of the many unsearchable pages of this forum that take a minute each to load. Question: The alternate picking style being taught is down up down up regardless of string or string transition. I’m sure there must be a reason for this and I’m wondering what it is. There are several types of alternate picking that I have learned, just wondering why this style. Unfortunately I am relegated to asking students why the teacher is teaching something the way they are.

    If someone has a good idea please post. Thanks

    AttyTJ replied 3 years, 9 months ago 4 Members · 3 Replies
  • 3 Replies
  • Loraine

    Member
    May 6, 2021 at 12:22 pm

    I’m not familiar with other alternate picking styles. It seems to be universal in my experience. It is the most efficient way to pick and increases speed, and it smooths the sound. You can get so fast it sounds like strumming.

  • Alisa

    Member
    May 7, 2021 at 12:39 pm

    Thanks for your question, Ross. I never even stopped to think there are other styles, so you’ve expanded my horizons 😀 I asked google, and it said that alternate picking is the best method for beginners: it sounds smooth and allows to build speed. The picking style where you pick up going to lower strings and down to higher strings is apparently considered advanced and hard to master. Knowing how much troubles I’m having with alternate picking, I think I’ll pass 😅

  • AttyTJ

    Member
    May 8, 2021 at 9:27 am

    @ross h, I believe, intuitively, @Tony teaches it this way as basic skill that can be used to assist with string location, rhythm, and fretboard learning all at the same time. While you are correct there are other styles, TAC lessons are trying to reach a very broad group ranging from raw new players to those with significant, if distant, experience and skill.

    Speaking for me, it is hard for me, but it is easier than keeping a number of different methods and styles going on this skill I have not mastered, or even come close.

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