Sweep Picking

Sweep Picking is a technique used for arpeggiating chords where you use a single downward or upward picking motion across multiple strings. Its advantage is speed - a sweep picked arpeggio can be played faster than an alternate-picked one. It is possible to play 7-8 note arpeggios ascending or descending with all notes played in order without repetition.

In tab, sweep picking is usually indicated above the tab line as follows:

  d----------------|      u----------|
e----------------12h17p12-----------------
b-------------13----------13--------------
g----------14----------------14-----------
d-------14----------------------14--------
a-12h15----------------------------15p12--
e-----------------------------------------

The d---| indicates to downpick all notes within the specified range, and uppick for u---|.

Technique

While simple in concept, actually performing sweep picking is very difficult and requires disciplined practice to master. There are four main areas to concentrate on:

Right-hand Timing

Your picking hand must sweep through the strings in-time with the beat.

   d-| u-|
|:---x-x---:|
|--x-----x--|

   d---| u---|
|------x-x------|
|:---x-----x---:|
|--x---------x--|

Sounding only One String at a Time

Synchronizing Left and Right Hands

Common Shapes

Major Triad

Minor Triad

|5|-|-|-|-|r|
|-|3|-|-|-|-|
|-|-|r|-|-|-|
|-|-|5|-|-|-|
|r|-|-|3|-|-|
|-|-|-|-|-|-|

  d----------------|   u------------|
e----------------12h17-12-----------------
b-------------13----------13--------------
g----------14----------------14-----------
d-------14----------------------14--------
a-12h15----------------------------15p12--
e-----------------------------------------

This is the most common minor shape from my experience.

|-|3|-|-|-|5|
|-|-|-|r|-|-|
|-|-|5|-|-|-|
|-|-|-|3|-|-|
|5|-|-|-|-|r|
|-|-|-|-|-|-|

  d----------------|   u------------|
e----------------13h17-13-----------------
b-------------15----------15--------------
g----------14----------------14-----------
d-------15----------------------15--------
a-12h17----------------------------17p12--
e-----------------------------------------

If the stretch above is too difficult, you can start on the higher note on the 5th string, which is the root of the chord.