Economy Picking Vs. Alternate Picking

[GRYNreaper001]

this is a pretty dumb way to think about guitar playing. just play the shit. if it sounds the way u want it, then play it that way. if it doesn't, figure out another way to play it.

[MayCryBlood666]

he looks like the gitarist from Onward to Olympus

[oscarhu30]

Jeff Loomis= Economy Picking

John Petrucci= Alternate Picking

[iamtheguy3223]

I use economy picking a lot because it is a little easier. However, once I get to the point where I notice on of my riffs with economy picking is getting sloppy, I instantly try to alternate pick it. All in all, I don't really think that one is always better than the other. It just all depends when and where they are being used.

[TheMetalGuitar123]

For me, I pick however feels most comfortable. Especially when I play fast, it's more about how relaxed I can be and not really how fast I can pick. Economy picking has some advantages, though I rarely use it. I actually use it more in my single note riffs than I do my leads. But, I'll more often than not play with alternate picking and legato before I use economy picking.

[arnaugm]

I use both technics... it just depends on wich song I play and what sound I wanna have

[HiImJerry8]

ive always played alternate picking, i must have practiced economy picking about 3 times since i started playin guitar, but now, i use mostly economy picking, it just makes the sound flow, and my hand just slides across the strings, its a really effective way of playing for someone lazy like me :D

[HumanHarbor11]

Economy picking takes more skill to do. More control of your right hand, which separates good guitarists from great guitarists. There are some pieces of music that are so fast you CANT alterante pick it, unless you dont want to sound like the original recording. Once you get economy picking down and can play it fast, you will notice you become faster than those who just alternate pick. Look up Patrick Gobles video called Supernatural Speed. Nobody on this post can play that fast :)

[MD40LD50]

ive had the same prob with economy till i learned it...i dont know the tec names for the notes but you get a quad triplet with economy picking thats impossible to get with alt picking......+ super fast runs dont get bogged down with way to much picking and scratching..some go with legato to clean it up but with econmoy you can pick and make it sound very smooth....the best part is it sounds great going in and out of sweeps.. unless you like chop chop chop of alt picking then a smooth sweep.

[cilcannonvryce]

In contrast to the few comments I have read -

I believe each should be used for phrasing. But that is me. I would never rely on one or the other. You should never simply "just be more efficient with a given technique" so you just you it live because that is easier. To me, that is hacking; and a good ear knows it.

Fact is, neither technique is fast than the other. Its simply the person using it that makes it faster or slower.

[doctorhotlicks]

I would have liked to hear you argue that you can get max speed with alternate picking. I sent a video response as to why I believe this to be the case.

[StevenStormTrooper]

I down pick EVERYTHING

[jewelfewel]

economy picking is so much faster than alternate picking and once you learn to economy pick you dont have to slave over speed ever again.  although praciticing both is a great idea.

[Snake0682]

between economy and alternate i dont really think wich way im picking mostly economy comes natural even if i try to strictly alternate

[panamanian911]

the analogy about "taking the easy rode" with economy picking doesn't make sense. Always using the hardest way to play something doesn't make you a better guitarist.

[lisahayes3]

@panamanian911

The idea is that alternate produced a "better" sound. So he won't resort to economy just cuz it's easier at the expense of the desired sound.

The idea is faulty for the dogmatic assertion that the sound produced by alternate is in all cases always superior to economy picking. The proposition is true where the alternate sound is always preferred. It is false when it is not, as when you do want a smoother sound vs one w/an emphasis on attack. Even this characterization is faulty.

[lisahayes3]

@panamanian911

The sound of an upstroke tends to be different from a downstroke. So whether using alternate or economy picking is only an argument about how the articulation sounds when you stroke one string and then another, where a "smoother" sound is produced when picking directionally with the same stroke, or a "pluckier" sound when picking with an opposite stroke.

I think the analysis falls apart for having adopted the bias that "alternate" is plain better & should be the default method.

[lisahayes3]

@panamanian911

What I walk away w/from this analysis is that downstrokes always produce that "better" & therefore "preferred" sound. So I should play a mix of alternate & economy where I always pcik the string change w/a downstroke?

The nature of different articulations produce certain sounds, & these call for specific techniques. I think I'll use the best technique that's conducive to making that articulation. Vibrato on a fretted fingerboard ain't done the same way as on a fretless one.

[OneRing19]

u look like adam savage from mythbusters

[Benill03]

@OneRing19 I feel that both compliment each other SOOOOO well! When I practice strict alternate picking, my economy picking improves immensly. Especially in accuracy/clean note for note playing. But if you want to get FAST QUICK.....integrate/practice economy picking!!! THINK OF IT AS VIAGRA FOR YOUR PICKING!!!!

[christofthedead]

1:23 is amazing

precisely execute!

[RandyBakkelund]

i only use economy picking on big 3 octave arpeggios, some of the shapes are too ridiculous to use alternate picking, it all depends on what your playing and what you want to do

[Griminal]

I don't see how learning a new technique is easier than using a technique you are familiar with

[jdude81]

i wouldnt necessarily say economy is easier then alternate both are distinct an will differ with personal preference to the player

[wangzingee]

I like them both. I think that it is good to learn and master both economy and alternate that way you can choose what you want to sound like. I would disagree that down picking sounds better, they both have a differant sound and they both sound good. Alternate sounds more agressive while economy sounds more lagato

[snofthndr]

You should make a video with all the artists that people mistake you for...

[DietGrape]

i used to economy pick and it was hard to alternate. but now i cant economy pick and i like the good timing alternate picking gives me

[katarro1000]

Hi from argentina, dude. I bet for alternative, becacause maybe is more harder, but with the pass of time is the best. With a litle more bear you will look like the bass player of nightwish LOL

[Spaxx1001]

I agree with supprize. Personally, I use alternate and economy picking when I play, in addition to hybrid picking, finger picking, sweep picking, etc. I get bored when I use just one technique, but that's just me. It all depends on what kind of sound I'm looking for, if I want a run to be really smooth I'll economy pick, if I want it staccato and powerful I'll alternate pick. In the end I think it's good to learn everything you can because you'll end up with so many different options.

[supprize]

its better to just do everything instead of choosing one, ie sweep, alternate, ecomonmy, legato ect... thats where its at

[brokenstalker]

are you the vocalist of skylit drive?

[GuitarGnosis]

@brokenstalker That's another name I can add to my list :P

No, I'm not.

[beerisyummyyumyum]

@GuitarGnosis haha dude i was just gonna ask that.

[klavestorm]

@GuitarGnosis Lol, I wonder if someone has asked you if your in Nightwish

[boxtrap21]

@brokenstalker skylit drive lol worst band ever

[NapalmNewt]

Paul Gilbert is also full an alternate picking advocate for the great back and forth rhythm.

[Shadowofcreation]

There is a place for both imo. Fast 16ths and bursty triplet passages benefit from economy picking.

It is fluidity and consistency of motion and makes use of the momentum of the last down stroke. Very "economical".

Their use is purely situational. I employ both when the situation calls for it. Take Frank Gambale for example.. best picking technique on earth.

Valid video though! Shred on!

[therealgtarbeast666]

i econamy pick without ever thinking about the difrence anymore cause started that way. but it really seems to work fine so whataver i guess

[denisgiann]

economy picking is smoother and faster ...it gives you a legato like feel.alternate picking is choppier and more distinct.Any way you choose is fine but i think alternate picking creates good habits and a sense of timing that economy picking lacks.

[GitarrPwnz]

@denisgiann I think you can make your eco-picking sound less smooth and your alternate picking sound less harsh and more smooth depending on how well you play. I honestly don't believe there's a difference. The difference is in up-picking and down-picking. Up-picking usually gives harsher tone because of the angle of the pick when we pick upwards. I'm guessing you start practicing eco-picking from the low strings with a downward pick. From the high strings with a down-pick it should be opposite.

[patfarlow]

@denisgiann Well Django Reinhardt economy picked with a sense of timing created a entire genre.

[trailblazer225]

I don't think alternate picking is much harder than economy picking if you practice both enough. You just have to be conscious of what you're doing at all times, which is true of both. Economy picking just comes more naturally. Also, I don't hear any difference in sound.

[potheadpenguin]

tbh, I think that economy and alternate sound about the same, down picking is always much agressive though

[joesimmons90]

I forgot to add... don't do one just because you can't do the other.

[joesimmons90]

I would learn both, why be stuck with knowing one but not the other? When you know both, you have a freedom of choice in sound since economy is smoother and alternate is more aggressive.

[longination]

Ive changed my tecknique bout year ago to economy and am still struggling to adjust cos my triplets up guitar are much weaker than down and its making my playing really sloppy. Any tips for gaining accuracy.

PS i am amazing anyone can do both teckniques, to me they feel like different worlds whith polar opposite tribes.

[cm20]

I decided as well to switch to economy picking, after hearing the "legato" sound of frank gambale, and the like. Whatever you are not as strong at, isolate it and practice it to the metronome. Over and over. Turns out, I got way faster with economy picking, and i have a wayyyy gentler touch over the strings. Also have the option to play loud, but there is also an option to play quiet. Seems like you lose that with alt. picking

[XxChainsawGorgexX]

they both tend to feel natural to me, i think it depends on what i'm playing. i can never stick to straight down picking lol. so thats my weakness :P

[Tharenii]

straight up alternate picking for me! economy picking just doesnt make me feel like i am playing! :D thats just me.... but i really am amazed by some people for can economy pick well

[crapmaster5000]

I've been economy picking since i started playing. It just feels more natural and easier for me.

[royrockerfella]

economy picking is smoother and faster too.

[zero2kx]

I have always been an alt. picker but lately have been experimenting with economy picking. I hear no difference at all in lead playing and to be honest anybody that is listening to your music that is not a guitar player will never know if you are using upstrokes or down. If you can nail the lick cleanly playing with your toes then do it. Point is use what you feel comfortable with.

[lifedelay]

i agree,,,,ive never put much thought to my picking, my right hand just goes to it i guess haha

[JoeyVFive]

I think I sometimes economy sometimes with out knowing lol