Directional Picking Technique and Alternate Picking Technique
Alternate Picking
When picking arpeggio patterns, there are two types of picking that we can use to accurately perform different open chord arpeggios. The standard approach to arpeggios is to employ the same technique as our strumming patterns (take a look at the course on strumming basics for more information) in that notes on downbeats will be played with downstrokes, and notes on the upbeat will be played with upstrokes.
C Major Arpeggio With Alternate Picking
Directional Picking
Another approach to performing open chord arpeggios is to use directional picking which means that we will follow the direction of the strings in order to determine the picking direction of the arpeggio. This means when we move from a lower string to a higher string, we will use a downstroke, and when we play a higher string moving to a lower string, we will use an upstroke. This method is used when frequently alternating strings or repeating an arpeggio pattern that moves in a single direction. Note the example below using directional picking.
C Major Arpeggio With Directional Picking
