combined legato/picking question

[toz71]

Howdy,
When i do legato should i be alternating my picking when i change strings or go in the same direction with the pick?
For example if i pick the low E string on the 5th fret with a down stroke, hammer on the 7th fret e string then when i go to the pick the A string for the next hammer on is it better to stay in the same direction with the pick or follow strict alternate picking and start with an upstroke??:confused:

[EricV]

As expected, my answer is: depends =)
Really, it´s up to you. My choice usually is to use strict AP, so I would use an upstroke on the A-string.
There are certain points to consider when you i.e. do string-skipping (with a combination of pick and legato), and it might be easier to approach that with outside picking, helping to keep it accurate and avoid accidentially hitting strings you wanna skip.
For example, when I do skips between the high e and the G- or D-String, I use an upstroke on the high e, and a downstroke on the G, which helps me to avoid accidentially hitting the B-string etc.

Of course, it´s up to you what pick direction you use in the example you describe, but I would prefer AP (hence, an upstroke on the A-string) in order to keep the AP-pattern going.
Hope this helps
Eric

[toz71]

Cheers Eric!