A Closer Look At Sweep-Picking
(23 Sep 03)
Incorporating legato
Hammer On's / Pull Off's
Now, let's take it up a notch and incorporate another tough part: incorporating hammer-ons and pull-offs. Take a look at the next example:
This is quite similar to one of the previous examples. But this time, we're using a pull-off to get from the first to the second note. I'll tell you the advantage of that a bit later.
First, you might find out that this actually involves another difficulty: You have to stop the picking motion in between. In order to play all notes at equal length, you have to start the sweep-motion with an upstroke, then STOP, execute the pull-off, and then continue the sweep-motion on the next two strings.
This might prove to be difficult, so take yer time and work on it. Again, DO NOT RUSH OR DRAG!
Our next example...
...is again a reversed version of the previous one. This time, we're throwing in a hammer-on. This might be a bit easier, since the sweep-motion is over already, and the pull-off is the last thing you have to do.
Now, why include those hammer ons and pull offs? Why not change picking-directions to pick each note?
See, it makes sweeping a bit easier. Many of the "common" sweep-licks involve two notes on one of the strings, and it's way easier to play the second note of these two with a hammer-on or pull-off, especially at high speed. I'll show you what I mean:
Take a look at the next TAB:
This is kind of a combination of the previous two exercises. We're sweeping upwards until we reach the high E-string, play the G (15th fret) with an upstroke, pull off back to E and play the C on the B-string with another upstroke... then, we start over again.
Imagine you'd play that G with an upstroke and the E with a downstroke... you'd have to skip around the E-string to be able to execute the upstroke on the B-string. It's way easier to include that pull off... you only have to change the picking-direction once, and this will allow you to get this lick to "flow"...
Incorporating legato-moves like hos, pos and slides is a completely normal thing, that's why you should really work the previous three examples and get used to them. Take your time, and always listen to see whether it sounds good or not. Once you increase speed, make sure you can still hear all the notes.
The previous example was a C major triad. Let's see what a minor triad would look like, using a D minor as an example. Everything stays the same (pick-directions, pull off etc.), you just play a minor third (F) instead of a major third.
Here ya go:
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