Learn Guitar Economy Picking Technique

Economy picking is not how you learn to play guitar when you’re on a budget … ;-). Basically, when economy picking teaches you to be economical with your hand movements, so that you can pick faster, with better accuracy. At first it seems a little clunky, and alternate picking makes much more sense. After practicing for awhile, though, your hand will understand! 

What is Economy Picking on Guitar?

Economy picking is often explained in terms of its opposition to alternate picking. When you alternate pick: 

• You always follow a down stroke with an up stroke 
• It can be easier to keep time 
• It is easier to play an even number of notes per string 

When you economy pick:

• You always follow a down stroke with an upstroke, except when you are changing strings.  
• When you change strings, you start on the new string with the same stroke on which finished the old one. See the exercises for a more visual explanation.  
• It is easier to pick fast 
• It is easier to move into sweep picking 
• It is easier to play an odd number of notes per strings 

To learn to economy pick: 

• Start by playing a triplet on an open E, beginning with a down stroke 
• Don’t push the limits of your speed 
• When you finish the triplet, begin a new triplet on the A string, beginning with a downstroke again. 

If you have only used alternate picking until now, economy picking will feel broken and non-rhythmic to begin with. You'll soon notice, though, that when you are trying to play a fast song, keeping the same stroke direction to change strings is faster, and just makes more sense.

Guitar Economy Picking Exercise 1

 Download .gtp5 ( Right-click Save Target as... )

In songs where speed is required, but there is also an even number of notes per string and alternate picking just doesn’t cut it, you can use hammer ons or pull offs to achieve the speed while maintaining economy picking flow. See the second exercise for an example of how to do this.

Guitar Economy Picking Exercise 2

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Other things to keep in mind as you are learning economy picking

• Make sure you are holding the correct part of the pick. Leave only the tip of the pick overhanging your thumb - using any more will slow you down.
• Make sure you angle your pick slightly upwards if you are moving down strings, and slightly downwards if you are moving up strings. You will be 'stroking' the strings more than plucking them.  

Good songs for practising economy picking

• Reign in Blood,Slayer 
• Mr Crowley,Ozzy Osbourne 
• Dead Heart in a Dead World,Nevermore 
• Master of Puppets,Metallica 
• Heaven Tonight,Yngwie Malmsteen