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Six Strings

Module 2 · Scales and Fretboard Mastery · Picking and melody

Alternate picking and scale sequences

Play scales evenly and practise them in patterns.

Read 5 min·Practise 12 min·intermediate

01

Introduction

A scale played straight up and down teaches your fingers the notes. A scale played in sequences teaches them to move in many ways. This lesson ties alternate picking to a first sequence: groups of three.

02

Learning objectives

By the end of this lesson you will be able to:

  • Alternate pick strictly down and up, including across strings.
  • Play the G major scale in groups of three.
  • Keep a steady tempo while changing the pattern.
03

Concept

Alternate picking means strict alternation: down, up, down, up. Every note gets the opposite stroke to the one before it, even when you change strings. It is slower to learn than all downstrokes but is what lets you play fast and evenly.

Three habits make it work:

  • Small motion. The pick barely clears the string. A big arc is slow.
  • Relaxed grip. Hold the pick firmly but not tightly.
  • Same volume. Upstrokes should match downstrokes in volume.

A sequence plays the scale in a pattern instead of straight up. The simplest is groups of three: play notes 1-2-3, then 2-3-4, then 3-4-5, and so on. Each group starts one note higher than the last. Alternate picking continues without stopping, so the group starts on a downstroke, then an upstroke, and so on, alternating.

Sequences make the fingers more flexible and help you hear the scale as music.

04

Visual explanation

e|--------------------------|
B|--------------------------|
G|--------------------------|
D|------------------2--4--5-|
A|---------2--3--5----------|
E|---3--5-------------------|
72 BPM
The G major scale in one octave: G A B C D E F♯ G.
e|----------|---------|---------|---------|---------|----------|
B|----------|---------|---------|---------|---------|----------|
G|----------|---------|---------|---------|---------|----------|
D|----------|---------|---------|--------2|-----2--4|--2--4--5-|
A|---------2|-----2--3|--2--3--5|--3--5---|--5------|----------|
E|---3--5---|--5------|---------|---------|---------|----------|
72 BPM
Groups of three: 1-2-3, 2-3-4, 3-4-5, 4-5-6, 5-6-7, 6-7-8.
05

Practical demonstration

The first group. Play G, A, B with down, up, down. The next group starts on A: up, down, up. That is correct: you never reset the pick. Your picking hand does not know where a group begins, and that is the point.

Count the groups of three aloud, with the metronome ticking in eighth notes: "1-2-3, 2-3-4, 3-4-5". The sequence fits into six groups, then the scale ends on the high G.

If the pick hand gets tangled, go back to one string, strict alternation, at a tempo where it is easy.

06

Guided exercises

Do these in order. Each one is small. Tick the ones you have practised.

  • 1.One string, strict alternation

    4 min · 60 → 100 BPM

    1. Fret the 3rd string at fret 2 and play it repeatedly with down-up picks.
    2. Keep the motion small: the pick should barely clear the string.
    3. Raise the tempo in 5 BPM steps.

    You have it when

    • Down and up strokes have the same volume at 80 BPM.

  • 2.Scale with strict alternation

    4 min · 60 → 90 BPM

    1. Play the G major scale (one octave from the 6th string, fret 3).
    2. Start with a downstroke and alternate without exception, even when you change strings.
    3. Come back down. Notice which string crossings feel awkward.

    You have it when

    • You alternate strictly in both directions at 70 BPM.

  • 3.Sequence in threes

    4 min · 60 → 90 BPM

    1. Play the sequence in the lesson: the first three notes of the scale, then start again from the second note, and so on.
    2. Say the pattern aloud: 1-2-3, 2-3-4, 3-4-5.
    3. Keep strict alternation, even though the starting stroke changes every group.

    You have it when

    • You play the sequence of six groups without stopping at 70 BPM.
07

Tempo recommendations

Start at 60 BPM, eighth notes. Raise by 5 BPM only when the whole sequence is clean. 80 BPM is a good first target.

ExerciseStartTarget
One string, strict alternation60 BPM100 BPM
Scale with strict alternation60 BPM90 BPM
Sequence in threes60 BPM90 BPM
08

Common mistakes

  • Large picking motions. Keep the pick close to the strings. A small motion is faster and more accurate.
  • Switching to all downstrokes when it gets difficult. Slow down until alternate picking is possible, then speed up gradually.
  • Practising the sequence at the tempo of the scale. A new pattern needs a slower tempo. Drop it by 10 BPM at first.
09

Musical application

Sequences are the beginning of lead technique. Later lessons turn them into licks and melodic runs, but the picking foundation is the same.

10

Practice assignment

Short version (10 minutes)

Do 'Scale with strict alternation' at 70 BPM for four minutes.

Standard version (about 30 minutes)

Do all three exercises, then make up a different three-note sequence (for example 1-3-2) and play it.

11

Recap

  • Alternate pick: down, up, down, up, always.
  • Small motion, close to the strings.
  • Sequences make scales musical and train the fingers.
  • New patterns need slower tempos.
12

Completion criteria

You are ready to move on when you can honestly say:

  • I can play the G major scale with strict alternate picking at 70 BPM.
  • I can play the scale in groups of three without stopping.
  • I can keep strict alternation across strings.