Alternate Picking Cross-String

How to Practice

1. 1Play the tablature using strict alternate picking (down-up-down-up). Start with a downstroke.
2. 2Measures 1-2 use a 2-note-per-string A minor pentatonic pattern ascending and descending across all strings.
3. 3Measures 3-5 switch to 3-note-per-string A natural minor, requiring inside and outside picking string changes.
4. 4Measure 6 is a short ending phrase. Repeat the whole exercise at increasing tempos.

Tips & Techniques

• •Keep your pick angle consistent and use small, efficient motions.
• •Pay special attention to the string crossing moments — that's where timing breaks down.
• •On 3-note-per-string passages, notice the difference between inside picking (pick trapped between strings) and outside picking.
• •Start well below the recommended BPM and only speed up when every note rings cleanly.
• •Use a metronome and accent beat 1 of each measure to stay locked in.