Alternate Picking Exercises
Contents
Single String
1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u -0--1--3--1--0--1--3--1-|1--3--4--3--1--3--4--3-|3--4--6--4--3--4--6--4-|4--6--8--6--4--6--8--6-|
Chromatic Scale
1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u E------------------------------------------1-2-3-4- B----------------------------------2-3-4-6--------- G--------------------------2-3-4-5----------------- D------------------3-4-5-6------------------------- A----------4-5-6-7--------------------------------- E--5-6-7-8----------------------------------------- 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d E-/5-4-3-2------------------------------------------- B----------6-5-4-3----------------------------------- G------------------6-5-4-3--------------------------- D--------------------------7-6-5-4------------------- A----------------------------------8-7-6-5----------- E------------------------------------------9-8-7-6\5-
1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3
d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d
E--------------------------------------------------4-5-6-7/8-
B----------------------------------------4-5-6-7/8-----------
G--------------------------------4-5-6-7---------------------
D----------------------4-5-6-7/8-----------------------------
A------------4-5-6-7/8---------------------------------------
E--4-5-6-7/8-------------------------------------------------
4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1
u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d
E--7-6-5\4-------------------------------------------------
B----------8-7-6-5\4---------------------------------------
G--------------------7-6-5-4-------------------------------
D----------------------------8-7-6-5\4---------------------
A--------------------------------------8-7-6-5\4-----------
E------------------------------------------------8-7-6-5\4-
C Major Scale in All Positions
d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u E--------------------------------1-3-5-3-1----------------------------- B--------------------------1-3-5-----------5-3-1----------------------- G--------------------0-2-4-----------------------4-2-0----------------- D--------------0-2-3-----------------------------------3-2-0----------- A--------0-2-3-----------------------------------------------3-2-0----- E--0-1-3-----------------------------------------------------------3-1-
d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u E--------------------------------3-5-6-5-3----------------------------- B--------------------------3-5-6-----------6-5-3----------------------- G--------------------2-4-5-----------------------5-4-2----------------- D--------------2-3-5-----------------------------------5-3-2----------- A--------2-3-5-----------------------------------------------5-3-2----- E--1-3-5-----------------------------------------------------------5-3-
d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u E--------------------------------5-7-8-7-5----------------------------- B--------------------------5-6-8-----------8-6-5----------------------- G--------------------4-5-7-----------------------7-5-4----------------- D--------------3-5-7-----------------------------------7-5-3----------- A--------3-5-7-----------------------------------------------7-5-3----- E--3-5-7-----------------------------------------------------------7-5-
d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u E---------------------------------7-8-10-8-7------------------------------ B--------------------------6-8-10------------10-8-6----------------------- G--------------------5-7-9--------------------------9-7-5----------------- D--------------5-7-9--------------------------------------9-7-5----------- A--------5-7-8--------------------------------------------------8-7-5----- E--5-7-8--------------------------------------------------------------8-7-
d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u E--------------------------------------8-10-12-10-8----------------------------------- B------------------------------8-10-12--------------12-10-8--------------------------- G-----------------------7-9-10------------------------------10-9-7-------------------- D----------------7-9-10--------------------------------------------10-9-7------------- A---------7-8-10----------------------------------------------------------10-8-7------ E--7-8-10------------------------------------------------------------------------10-8-
d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u E-------------------------------------------10-12-13-12-10---------------------------------------- B----------------------------------10-12-13----------------13-12-10------------------------------- G--------------------------9-10-12----------------------------------12-10-9----------------------- D------------------9-10-12--------------------------------------------------12-10-9--------------- A----------8-10-12------------------------------------------------------------------12-10-8------- E--8-10-12----------------------------------------------------------------------------------12-10-
d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u E-----------------------------------------------12-13-15-13-12------------------------------------------- B--------------------------------------12-13-15----------------15-13-12---------------------------------- G-----------------------------10-12-14----------------------------------14-12-10------------------------- D--------------------10-12-14----------------------------------------------------14-12-10---------------- A-----------10-12-14----------------------------------------------------------------------14-12-10------- E--10-12-13----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------13-12-
Cross String: Inside
This one uses open strings to let you focus on strict alternate picking.
1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d -0-0-0-------0--|----0-0-0---0-0|0---0---0---0--|--------0---0--|0-0-0-0-0---0--|0-- -------0-0-0---0|0-0-------0----|--0---0---0---0|0-0-0-0---0---0|----------0---0|---
These are the exact same pattern just with different left-hand fingerings. It may seem tedious but it's all about getting perfect left-right hand synchronization.
1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d -4-5-4-------4--|----4-5-4---4-5|4---4---4---4--|--------4---4--|4-5-7-5-4---4--|4-- -------7-5-7---7|5-7-------7----|--7---7---7---7|5-4-5-7---7---7|----------7---7|---
1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d -4-6-4-------4--|----4-6-4---4-6|4---4---4---4--|--------4---4--|4-6-7-6-4---4--|4-- -------7-5-7---7|5-7-------7----|--7---7---7---7|5-4-5-7---7---7|----------7---7|---
1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d -4-6-4-------4--|----4-6-4---4-6|4---4---4---4--|--------4---4--|4-6-7-6-4---4--|4-- -------7-6-7---7|6-7-------7----|--7---7---7---7|6-4-6-7---7---7|----------7---7|---
1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d -4-6-4-------4--|----4-6-4---4-6|4---4---4---4--|--------4---4--|4-6-8-6-4---4--|4-- -------8-6-8---8|6-8-------8----|--8---8---8---8|6-4-6-8---8---8|----------8---8|---
1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d -4-5-4-------4--|----4-5-4---4-5|4---4---4---4--|--------4---4--|4-5-7-5-4---4--|4-- -------7-5-7---7|5-7-------7----|--7---7---7---7|5-3-5-7---7---7|----------7---7|---
Cross String: Outside
This is basically the same set of exercises as above for inside picking, but arranged for outside picking. Personally, I find outside picking a little easier. Because you are picking the string at the beginning of each down or up motion, you can more easily apply some muscle and get a solid response from the string.
1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d -------0-0-0---0|0-0-------0----|--0---0---0---0|0-0-0-0---0---0|----------0---0|--- -0-0-0-------0--|----0-0-0---0-0|0---0---0---0--|--------0---0--|0-0-0-0-0---0--|0-- 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d -------4-5-4---4|5-4-------4----|--4---4---4---4|5-7-5-4---4---4|----------4---4|--- -7-5-7-------7--|----7-5-7---7-5|7---7---7---7--|--------7---7--|7-5-4-5-7---7--|7--
1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d -------4-6-4---4|6-4-------4----|--4---4---4---4|6-7-6-4---4---4|----------4---4|--- -7-5-7-------7--|----7-5-7---7-5|7---7---7---7--|--------7---7--|7-5-4-5-7---7--|7--
1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d -------4-6-4---4|6-4-------4----|--4---4---4---4|6-7-6-4---4---4|----------4---4|--- -7-6-7-------7--|----7-6-7---7-6|7---7---7---7--|--------7---7--|7-6-4-6-7---7--|7--
1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d -------4-6-4---4|6-4-------4----|--4---4---4---4|6-8-6-4---4---4|----------4---4|--- -8-6-8-------8--|----8-6-8---8-6|8---8---8---8--|--------8---8--|8-6-4-6-8---8--|8--
1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d -------4-6-4---4|6-4-------4----|--4---4---4---4|6-8-6-4---4---4|----------4---4|--- -7-6-7-------7--|----7-6-7---7-6|7---7---7---7--|--------7---7--|7-6-4-6-7---7--|7--
Cross String: Mix
These are the same as above but combine inside and outside picking into a single exercise. Notice the last 3 notes - you have to use the same finger on two different strings. To do this, you would play the bass note as usual, then flatten the finger to fret the treble string.
1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d -----0-----0---0|0-0---0-0---0--|0-0-0-0--------|0-0-----0-0-0--|----0-0-------0|--- -0-0---0-0---0--|----0-----0---0|--------0-0-0-0|----0-0-------0|0-0-----0-0-0--|0--
1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d -----4-----4---4|5-4---4-5---4--|4-5-7-5--------|4-5-----4-5-7--|----5-4-------4|--- -5-7---5-7---7--|----7-----7---7|--------4-5-7-7|----7-5-------4|5-7-----7-5-4--|7--
1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d -----4-----4---4|6-4---4-6---4--|4-6-7-6--------|4-6-----4-6-7--|----6-4-------4|--- -5-7---5-7---7--|----7-----7---7|--------4-5-7-7|----7-5-------4|5-7-----7-5-4--|7--
1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d -----4-----4---4|6-4---4-6---4--|4-6-7-6--------|4-6-----4-6-7--|----6-4-------4|--- -6-7---6-7---7--|----7-----7---7|--------4-6-7-7|----7-6-------4|6-7-----7-6-4--|7--
1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d -----4-----4---4|6-4---4-6---4--|4-6-8-6--------|4-6-----4-6-8--|----6-4-------4|--- -6-8---6-8---8--|----8-----8---8|--------4-6-8-8|----8-6-------4|6-8-----8-6-4--|8--
1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d -----4-----4---4|6-4---4-6---4--|4-6-8-6--------|4-6-----4-6-8--|----6-4-------4|--- -6-7---6-7---7--|----7-----7---7|--------4-6-7-7|----7-6-------4|7-8-----7-6-4--|8--
This one's a bit nasty - I threw some arpeggios and other non-neighboring jumps in there to make sure your left hand wasn't getting lazy.
1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d -----5-----5---4|5-4---7-4---4--|7-5-4-6--------|4-5-----4-5-7--|----5-4-------5|--- -4-7---4-7---7--|----7-----5---5|--------7-5-4-5|----4-5-------4|5-7-----7-5-4--|5--
1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d -----6-----6---4|6-4---7-4---4--|7-6-4-6--------|4-6-----4-6-7--|----6-4-------5|--- -4-7---4-7---7--|----7-----5---5|--------7-5-4-5|----4-5-------4|5-7-----7-5-4--|5--
1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d -----6-----6---4|6-4---8-4---4--|8-6-4-6--------|4-6-----4-6-8--|----6-4-------6|--- -4-8---4-8---8--|----8-----6---6|--------8-6-4-6|----4-6-------4|6-8-----8-6-4--|6--
1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d u d -----6-----6---4|6-4---8-4---4--|8-6-4-6--------|4-6-----4-6-8--|----6-4-------5|--- -4-7---4-7---7--|----7-----6---6|--------7-6-4-6|----4-6-------4|6-7-----7-6-4--|6--