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I.use a few different methods when recording my solos but lately I've become fascinated with sweep picking. As of now I'm only down to 3 string picks, sometimes 4. I'm seeking technical advice from any sweep experts out there on mastering the full 6 string sweeps. Also looking for cheats and shortcuts. [/b]

I'm no sweep expert but when I was younger I used to do a lot of sweeping and tapping when practicing. There are a few good sweeping instructional videos on Youtube to get you started. Here is an old video of me doing my finger exercises. I think I was about 17 then.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WIjL93x29_c

MikeG9699 wrote:I'm no sweep expert but when I was younger I used to do a lot of sweeping and tapping when practicing. There are a few good sweeping instructional videos on Youtube to get you started. Here is an old video of me doing my finger exercises. I think I was about 17 then.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WIjL93x29_c

Dang dude not bad for a 17 year old! I thought if he was that good then how is he now. I went to your site GREAT guitar playing!

Actually both you guys are good! Gives an old FART like me hope for the music of your generation!

I am no expert either but I use it when I play arpeggio's I have an original where about half the song is arpeggiated chords that I use sweep picking on.!

deanmusicmedia wrote: Also looking for cheats and shortcuts. [/b]

now that's a curious request.

Get a copy of the John Petrucci Rock Discipline dvd.

Its good to have around.
Im not a sweep picker, but he has a whole section on it. (full string)

Hi Dean! Here is a sweep picking lesson I've saved from an article. It's effective with a metronome. I hope it helps:

http://jsantos.net/lesson_3_25.html

This is where I come in- in my purist garb and tell you that sweep picking is the biggest waste of time a guitar player can invest in. Only other guitar players would even care how great you are at it. Aside that it all sounds the same no matter who does it, it's just so limited in scope...

But that's all my opinion, do what turns you on..

Personally, I go with legato - not as flashy as sweep, but more honest in speed and technique and it has applications in many different genre's of music. And still, I use it sparingly.

I find that for faster sweep picking thicker brushes on my broom helps a lot, if you are playing slower passages, thinner brushes will work.