Picking Hand Technique

The guitar has a tremendous number of right hand techniques, here are the 5 most important fundamentals beginners will need to master. (these are also applicable to the bass):
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1. Hold the pick very loosely
   
   
2. Make sure that only the tip of the pick is making contact with the string
   
   
3.  Practice down and up picking, also known as alternate picking. You'll need to do this until the down and up motion becomes completely subconscious.
   
   
4. Keep your picking hand as loose and relaxed as possible. If you feel you hand, wrist or arm becoming tight, take a break for a few second and gently shake out your hand.
   
   
5. Developing an almost machine-like consistency to your picking technique is crucial. To achieve this, frequently ask yourself the following questions: Am I holding my pick loosely? Am I alternating my pick down and up? Am i striking the string with the very tip of my pick? Finally, to begin practicing alternate picking, play 4 picks per string(down, up, down, up) beginning on string 1 and working down through all 6 strings then work your way from string 6 back through string 1. Then you can play the same exercise with 2 picks per string instead of 4.
   
   

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