I put a lot of thought into this video. I very much wanted to create a sweep picking tutorial that addressed the mechanics of the technique at its most basic level. Too many videos out there either dive right into big sweep shapes (Don't do this!!!!!) or completely gloss over the very technical and hugely important focuses within. Please like and share and thanks for watching guys!! :D PART 2 HERE: ua-cam.com/video/pAc1f4h37L4/v-deo.html Sweeping isn't that hard once you can do it. I'm speaking purely in terms of economy of motion. When people struggle with sweep picking there are usually 1 or more of these 6 errors: 1. Notes aren't same duration 2. Notes aren't transitioning cleanly 3. String noise isn't being muted 4. Sync sucks 5. Arm/wrist motions aren't suitable for the technique 6. Incorrect pickslanting If you want access to my HUGE video course "Sweep Picking Master", you can get it now on the MetalMastermind platform: metalmastermind.com/sweep-picking-master/
I agree with you on this, I found your video was very helpful for me. I'll be coming back to it, I've been looking for a video like this for some time. :)
when I drank regularly my hands would shake like this during the comedown. Caffeine doesn't help either. I haven't drank for 3 months and thankfully the shaking stopped.
Its not hard to learn to shred. Just do some finger exercises and pick up a joe satriani tab book. Then when you get better go get a dream theater tab book. I say book because they're better than a computer screen.
...and these matches; that's all I need. The ashtray and these matches and the remote control and the paddle ball - and this lamp. I don't need one other thing, not on-- I need this. The paddle game and the chair; and the remote control - and the matches. For sure. That's all I need...
Absolutely awesome video. I'm an intermediate-level guitarist already but I'd never given sweep picking much practice. By the end of the video I already have a basic grasp of the technique to work on and improve. Couldn't have asked for a better lesson - especially for free. This guy needs a medal.
Damn dude, I've tried to start learning sweep picking a number of times, just to immediately be put off by "beginner" 5 string examples with little to no insight into picking and muting outside of letting the pick drop to the following string. Glad I decided to give one more look and came across your video. The building blocks you provide are immensely helpful in getting the basic technique down, and I will forever be grateful.
One of the very few people that just gets straight to the point and explains it clearly without being extremely vague and comedic like these other "lessons" out there, thanks man
Thank you! I am trying my best to make up for all of those (won't name names) "teachers" who fool around and/or fail to actually teach the technique. Too many joke/meme channels out there. I aim to help.
Since Alfred Potter introduced these lessons specially 20 Neo classical licks Being his student on youtube i was able to learn and understand solos in few months.. *He is the most Honest Hardworking Guitar Teacher and ofcourse one of the best Guitar Wizard out there*
Thank you SO much. For the first time, I think I might possibly be able to learn to sweep. You have removed the fear factor that has been intimidating me for so long when it comes to this technique.
Man, I just unlocked how to sweep and I'm mad stoked. Months of honing previous techniques to get it down Time and time again, I would look at different resources to try learn - but no one has gone in depth / break it down (n no ego even tho mans beast) Llike the pick slanting - brilliant. Don't think I've come across anyone else mention it so much, and with my posture I'm working on, it was a huge fundemental insight to crack it. Drilling n hearing neutral etc in my head Ultimately want to say thank you, mate - prolly wouldn't have got it down for a while longer without your instruction. Truely wish your channel recieved more reception than it does - killer material/licks. Rock on, mate ✊
Quit guitar because mechanical engineering at my school was becoming time consuming. Went to play guitar after graduation, and my memory kicked in what I was taught 10-years ago-- all because of your lessons. You don't know but your lessons are very helpful especially in your website. Thanks, Mister Potter.
Best tutorial for sweep picking on UA-cam. Despite how hard of a technique it is to get down, this helps a lot and I just whipped out the metronome. Thank you! this helps a LOT.
Thanks! As far as I know, there is no other tutorial out there that actually teaches the technique (there might be now, but not last I checked). Everyone just seems to show off and/or gloss over the fundamentals
@@AlfredPotterGuitar I've been watching and practicing this over and over and I'm already getting decently fast man. I love the feeling of progress thanks again.
Not everyone can sweep. Pickn techniques, as to the way you hit the strings are a Major factor. Up n down, not many people know this style, and yes, use a metrinome.
Dude, this had to be the best freaking sweeping lesson I have found. Thank you for this detailed explanation. I will be sure to practice this everyday. Thanks so much.
Thanks for opening the biggest door for me in years,,had given up trying to do this style and now I can finally do it cleanly. ,,some players use 'lessons to show what they can do but only very few teach with nothing else in mind but to really help others,,cool guy and a fantastic teacher ,thanks so so much !
Thanks George, I'm so happy to help! And yes that's what I thought too about the goal of the video. I wanted to make an actual lesson on sweep picking. I couldn't believe that nobody else had bothered to break it down and teach it.
I know this is an old video, Alfred, but I have always wanted to get this down (over 20 years) and you got me started by explaining it a little bit better than most. Great video, man. Thanks.
Hi Chris, I am so pleased! I remember what it was like for me when I was learning. There were no videos out there that actually taught the technique mechanics - just a load of people showing off or glossing over the fundamentals. If you appreciate my teaching style and really want to get sweeping like crazy, I made a huge 75+ video course hosted on MetalMastermind.com called "Sweep Picking Master". I think you'll love it. Check out the promo here to see if it's for you: ua-cam.com/video/6v4UsNKk4hM/v-deo.html
I have to say that you explained this better than anyone. So really you never play 2 notes, you only pick one note and either hammer on or pull off to produce the second note, and the picking hand always goes all the way up, or all the way down I am still having trouble getting to mute the previous string now, but you have made a good tutorial. thanks
you should start getting some pro equipment and make a bunch of tutorials and you will be huge. Dood this helped me so much. you can make this channel big!!! \m/
I’ve literally been playing the guitar for 14 years and always avoided sweeping. Lately I’ve noticed some holes in my technique and figured I’d add some new shit to my Arsenal. This video seriously explained it so perfectly that it kinda demystified the whole air around sweeping and helped me push that skill. So hell yeah haha. Thanks man.
You're great at explaining and giving examples. Not to mention your great choice of pace and suggesting pauses. Going to sub to your channel thanks for the vid!
I have watched several videos on sweep picking lessons, and this is by far the best. This was broke down step by step to understand the right way to sweep. Thanks!
selective muting is too hard given sweep picking is supposed to be about relatively fast arpeggios. I just let my left hand fingers mute strings by lifting them slightly. The only time I would mute is if I just leave my pick hand in the mute position for all the strings and actually MUTE them while sweeping. But maybe I'm weird.
been playing guitar for as long as i can remember - mostly oldschool blues - watched this video - used what i already knew combined with your explenation and in a very short time i could actually sweep ick - more or less :) ty
First video I've seen of yours so far. Just started trying to learn this technique and it's like Thor teaching me guitar. You are such a great teacher, man. Soothing and helpful without the frustration. 😎⚡🤘👍
You have a great accent. It's part Ozzie and I guess part New Zealandish, or do they both sound the same? I can't hear the Welsh under it, but maybe a bit?
Haha, glad to hear it. Impatient players often give sweeping a bad name by slurring through arpeggios that are way too fast for them. We can be different though! We can approach them in a slow and clean way and leave the technique with some of its elegance :p
Thank you so much for this simple explanation. I'm slowly getting down the palm muting part. took me a while and your explanation keeps me on my 2 feet and I don't need additional tutorials. No further comments needed for this video.
I could never get into sweep picking because I felt it was too complicated for me to learn, I can play most of pantera's solos and aic's solos so im looking to get better I feel sweep picking is the next step. Thanks for this video I may be able to learn this now! (subbed)
+kryptichellsing Thanks for the sub and for the comment! I hope my video helps you to get started. These really are the core fundamentals that I've never really seen anybody else teach on UA-cam
This is great, I can already feel my hands taking less stress just from knowing the absolute fundamentals, which are never properly explained. Thanks bro!
6:29 ? Why not downstroke? You are making it way too difficult. Up then down, down (SWEEP! ) So you'd have UP, down down, UP, down down as opposed to UP, UP, lift way over a string you don't really have to then down.... if you did UP, pulloff, DOWN, DOWN, UP you have a nice sweep downward, no inside picking (which is hard) and three easy picks in a row right b4 that pulloff. Much easier, imo.
@@AlfredPotterGuitar I mean, you can do it with the inside picking but I just tried it both ways after watching this (i don't do a lot of sweep picking) and it seemed to me to be initially a lot easier using the down, down, up, pulloff way instead of the up, pulloff, up, down way as you showed. But maybe someone could do that at ripping speed but gosh, it'd make it harder to do, I think, if you had to pick in a direction away from your next note. I didn't have much luck speeding it up either way because that small of a sweep I actually have never even played before. I would have used more hammers and pulloffs (VH spoiled my picking techniques!). thanks!!!
I was on my phone before so couldn't post the video link. But here it is now: ua-cam.com/video/nRLPrNV6rsE/v-deo.html Strangely enough I feel the "inside picking" version is the fastest. Watch Rusty Cooley and you'll see he agrees. The "outside picking" or Yngwie method is easier to learn and that's why beginners gravitate towards it. The trouble with it is that it doesn't work for 4-string sweeps very well - if at all. And I feel it violates some rules of pickslanting which makes me uneasy, haha.
Hahah I did find that a funny watch, though. It's totally a parody of how useless most guitarists are when it comes to teaching (especially something technical like sweeping!) XD
Thanks that's exactly why I made the video! Because nobody actually teaches it. It's just people showing off. They never break it down and explain the motions and the rest strokes etc. Thanks for watching.
I like to think I'm pretty good at playing guitar, but sweep picking is a huge block for me. Appreciate you taking the time 5 years ago to make this vid.
No worries. Yes, it's because nobody except me has ever bothered to actually teach the technique. All other sweep picking videos show off and/or explain very little if at all.
Hello, I was wondering what shapes I should use to learn how to sweep pick. Would it make sense to sweep pick a bar chord for example and do you have to move your fingers of the string every time you play the string or do you gently mute it by hovering your finger over the string or should I only use my palm? What intervals do you normally use? I was curious to how you can derive your own licks to sweep over using the major scale. What position should the notes be in to be able to sweep pick them with more ease. Is it possible to improvise using sweep picking? Thanks for reading if you are reading this.
My friend! I am on my phone right now and about to go to sleep, but if you would join my discord (the link is along the navbar of my website alfredpotter.com ) and drop your question in the #technique channel, I will answer it when I wake =)
Finally a beginner guitar lesson on sweep picking truly basic! I don't know what's up with everybody else, they maybe don't know the meaning of beginner! I know it'll take a lot of time for me to lear it but this video was awesome! Thanks man, really!
+Alfred Potter Guitar Plus thanks for not showing off, that drives me crazy. I mean a lot of people make beginner guides and in the beginning of the video they show how they do that (of course 1000 times better than a beginner!) and I find it very intimidating they may think it's a way to show everyone their abilities or they maybe don't remember how it feels to be a beginner, I don't know! But I'm sure a beginner like me see that only as a discouragement and many think "I'll never be able to do that!". Instead you did it slow and explain how to train our fingers and our minds and you make me realize that by applying your method I will be able to learn! Thanks so much!
I appreciate your kind words. You complimented me on exactly what I set out to achieve: a humble, basic, informative video. :) and yes if we strip anything down to the basics we can become masters!
+Alfred Potter Guitar Your encouragement is gold for me! I'm much older than you and when I was a kid I studied classical guitar with a private teacher for few years. Now after more than 20 years I decided to learn guitar again but I don't have time to take lessons again (life is different now!). I've been an instructor for many years in a totally different art and your attitude it's exactly the same attitude I have when I teach! But in music 20 years it's a lot so the first thought I had was "I'll never learn again, I'm too old!". It's nice to see people like you teaching in this way, thanks Alfred!
Seemingly overnight I can cleanly sweep 3 note patterns at high speeds. Thank you for this video sir, first tutorial that has actually worked for me regarding sweep picking.
@@AlfredPotterGuitar Maybe there is something magic about your videos. I was following your video on 5 string sweeps, went to sleep, and again woke up creating my own 5 string sweep patterns at 150bpm. I cant thank you enough, definitely subscribing (this is after weeks of failed attempts to learn sweeping)
At the last exercise - can you play the bottom note (G-string) with an downstroke, essentially starting the downstroke sweep 1 note earlier? Or is there a specific reason for it being an upstroke?
This helped me out so much! You are the only one I have found that has went into full detail and actually seem to care about guitar playing. Great video man. Subscribing for sure! Good playing too!
Thanks for subscribing and commenting! Yeah I can't stand videos where people just show off and gloss over the technical aspects, barely explaining anything. This video of mine was designed to be a total, over-the-top detailed instructional that I wish I had access to when I began sweeping :D
Mate, I watched 5 seconds of you in this video and immediately knew this would be great. Your serious face in the beginning worked to convince me that you know your stuff.
Great video, subscribed. But i just have a question, in the 2/3 string examples are you also muting with the palm of your right hand or just with your left hand by releasing the string? Thanks.
+Lord Turtle Ⓥ Thanks! And thank you for the question. In the 2 and 3 string examples you put together the fretting hand transitions AND the palm mute.
Thank you. Yes it is a mystery and it certainly isn't helped by people pretending to teach it when in actuality they just show off and barely explain anything, haha! I found that getting technical instead, like in this video, is the way to go.
Great video Alfred I've been playing for a while and I can sweep but when I sweep downwards I've always struggled with string noise vs perfect sounding sweeps when I sweep picking up. This video helps clairfy it a lot good stuff appreciate it
Hi Alfred! I want to know if the picking pattern will make a huge difference, when learning Sweep Picking. Like, if I play the G going up, or down. Will that influence much? (in case of 3 strings sweeping) If I pluck the G string up, my pick would still in between B and G, so I would just move down from there. If I pluck the G string down, I would have to skip the G string, and then play it down (because I would be going up, on the lower strings). Is there a wrong method or any of this two would still give me a good result at the end? I made a quick video here showing what I mean, and I'm beggining to learn, as you can tell: ua-cam.com/video/REPe0SlfSMM/v-deo.html Thanks in advance!
Hey you're a clever dude. Most people never question or even think about this. It may interest you to know that there's actually a third way of playing 3-S sweeps. I covered all 3 in my video: "How the Pros Sweep: Style vs. Style" Check it out here: ua-cam.com/video/nRLPrNV6rsE/v-deo.html
@@AlfredPotterGuitar Thanks for the reply. I was practicing Rusty style, but now I feel like the Malmsteen way is easier tbh.. I want to play a Jason Becker song, so that may take some time haha
You won’t find a better video explanation. I have learned on my own what it takes to sweep pick but I still haven’t mastered the technique for shit. This is the most crucial piece in shredding. Ugh I need it.
Sweeping isn't that hard once you can do it. I'm speaking purely in terms of economy of motion. When people struggle with sweep picking there are usually 1 or more of these 6 errors: 1. Notes aren't same duration 2. Notes aren't transitioning cleanly 3. String noise isn't being muted 4. Sync sucks 5. Arm/wrist motions aren't suitable for the technique 6. Incorrect pickslanting I cover and remedy all of these points in my PDF "Lead Guitar Practice Methodology". Learn about it here! ua-cam.com/video/s43mwnLpKZ4/v-deo.html Or if you just want a chat, send me a message through my FB page (AlfredPotterGuitar) =)
Alfred Potter Guitar wow thanks for responding! I can do sweep picking at a reasonable bpm, but so often it’s a technique only used at high speeds towards the end of solos. I guess it’s also possible that I’m overshooting on the amount of notes in that arpeggio section of the song. Maybe I’m trying to do too much perhaps but I don’t know. I’ll have to come up with some questions and get back to you.
![[Beginner's Guide] How to Sweep Pick The Right Way](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/GewxOa2w0I8/mqdefault.jpg)
I put a lot of thought into this video. I very much wanted to create a sweep picking tutorial that addressed the mechanics of the technique at its most basic level. Too many videos out there either dive right into big sweep shapes (Don't do this!!!!!) or completely gloss over the very technical and hugely important focuses within. Please like and share and thanks for watching guys!! :D PART 2 HERE: ua-cam.com/video/pAc1f4h37L4/v-deo.html
Sweeping isn't that hard once you can do it. I'm speaking purely in terms of economy of motion. When people struggle with sweep picking there are usually 1 or more of these 6 errors:
1. Notes aren't same duration
2. Notes aren't transitioning cleanly
3. String noise isn't being muted
4. Sync sucks
5. Arm/wrist motions aren't suitable for the technique
6. Incorrect pickslanting
If you want access to my HUGE video course "Sweep Picking Master", you can get it now on the MetalMastermind platform: metalmastermind.com/sweep-picking-master/
I agree with you on this, I found your video was very helpful for me. I'll be coming back to it, I've been looking for a video like this for some time. :)
Thank you and I'm glad that I could help
thanks!!!
This is so useful, I'm totally subbing
Thank you and welcome!
I seem to be very efficient at one string sweeping
SEriously? It took me 79 years to even do it ONCE and you can do it THAT FAST?
MustardTiger all the sweep techniques are broken down here guitarskillsplanet.com/sweep-picking-tricks/
DaGamingDoge ok boomer
@@38clonewars ok zoomer
Yeetuss zok oomer
Hands are shaking because you know they wanna play some badass tunes.
It’s a nerve problem.
I am just not comfortable in front of a camera
@@AlfredPotterGuitar your rocking it man, make the camera your.... ..... ...... best friend
when I drank regularly my hands would shake like this during the comedown. Caffeine doesn't help either. I haven't drank for 3 months and thankfully the shaking stopped.
Alfred Potter Guitar you kill it tho man, love the voice and the vids. Thanks for the advice
Goodness, better than a 20 dollar lesson. I just need to learn to shred. That's all I need in life.
That's all we want!
+Parlamour1 Nah, you can feel with shred. You just gotta hit the right notes.
I find scales even the standard one slowed down to be sped up is the best shred exercise
Its not hard to learn to shred. Just do some finger exercises and pick up a joe satriani tab book. Then when you get better go get a dream theater tab book. I say book because they're better than a computer screen.
...and these matches; that's all I need. The ashtray and these matches and the remote control and the paddle ball - and this lamp. I don't need one other thing, not on-- I need this. The paddle game and the chair; and the remote control - and the matches. For sure. That's all I need...
Absolutely awesome video. I'm an intermediate-level guitarist already but I'd never given sweep picking much practice. By the end of the video I already have a basic grasp of the technique to work on and improve. Couldn't have asked for a better lesson - especially for free. This guy needs a medal.
So happy to help!
Damn dude, I've tried to start learning sweep picking a number of times, just to immediately be put off by "beginner" 5 string examples with little to no insight into picking and muting outside of letting the pick drop to the following string. Glad I decided to give one more look and came across your video. The building blocks you provide are immensely helpful in getting the basic technique down, and I will forever be grateful.
Stick with this and you will nail it! Yeah, there are so many bad lessons out there. I am glad this helps.
For sure! I'm definitely purchasing one of your lessons, you are a saint for offering as much as you do for free on here.
4:48 Oh shit ambulance is Coming
Matthew Pitts 😅😅😅😅
FUCK IS HE GOING TO BE OKAY?
😂😂😂😂
Lmao...
haha Euro* ambulence
You're a wizard, Alfred.
He's a potter for a reason
A Wot?
No he's just Alfred
Been playing 30 yrs and never got a handle on sweeping. Good job here. Very helpful
So pleased to hear it =)
One of the very few people that just gets straight to the point and explains it clearly without being extremely vague and comedic like these other "lessons" out there, thanks man
Thank you! I am trying my best to make up for all of those (won't name names) "teachers" who fool around and/or fail to actually teach the technique. Too many joke/meme channels out there. I aim to help.
Wow... I went through many other sweep-picking tutorials and couldn't really find any that were as beginner friendly as this one. Props to you bro!
Thanks! Yeah, even after all these years, this is the only video that actually teaches the technique - a fact which is just crazy to me
Don't be nervous! You are doing well teaching peeps
Thank you, Brian.
very cool
Since Alfred Potter introduced these lessons specially 20 Neo classical licks
Being his student on youtube i was able to learn and understand solos in few months..
*He is the most Honest Hardworking Guitar Teacher and ofcourse one of the best Guitar Wizard out there*
Thank you, so kind! I hope to one day make a living helping people with guitar. Your encouragement helps me remain patient.
Thank you SO much. For the first time, I think I might possibly be able to learn to sweep. You have removed the fear factor that has been intimidating me for so long when it comes to this technique.
Oh yes success!! Btw you might also want to watch my video on "How the Pros Sweep: Style vs Style" it offers two easier ways to sweep pick. Good luck!
Man, I just unlocked how to sweep and I'm mad stoked. Months of honing previous techniques to get it down
Time and time again, I would look at different resources to try learn - but no one has gone in depth / break it down (n no ego even tho mans beast)
Llike the pick slanting - brilliant. Don't think I've come across anyone else mention it so much, and with my posture I'm working on, it was a huge fundemental insight to crack it. Drilling n hearing neutral etc in my head
Ultimately want to say thank you, mate - prolly wouldn't have got it down for a while longer without your instruction. Truely wish your channel recieved more reception than it does - killer material/licks. Rock on, mate ✊
I am so pleased to read of your success and proud to have been a helping factor. Continue working hard - I wish you the best of luck!
Quit guitar because mechanical engineering at my school was becoming time consuming. Went to play guitar after graduation, and my memory kicked in what I was taught 10-years ago-- all because of your lessons. You don't know but your lessons are very helpful especially in your website. Thanks, Mister Potter.
I love how your guitar is dirty and shows the mileage you've put on it. Just like a good tool should be!
You are the first person to appreciate it lol
Thank you
@@AlfredPotterGuitar Its not something that should be appreciated... clean your shit man... take care of your baby
@@kevinnoye5645 Nah, it's vintage
Trust me, This is the best tutorial I've ever seen on UA-cam. Thank you very much.
I am pleased that you think so!
Seems like one of the best tutorials out there. I guess I can give sweep picking another try.
did it work?
@@happysmiker they never answer lol
Everything explained accurately, in a detailed way, clearly visible and accompanied by exercises. Couldn't expect more. You're a great teacher!
Thank you so much. I wish you the best of luck with your practice.
Best tutorial for sweep picking on UA-cam. Despite how hard of a technique it is to get down, this helps a lot and I just whipped out the metronome. Thank you! this helps a LOT.
Thanks for watching!
I've seen alot of videos from alot of big guitarist and yours was the one that made sweep picking click thank you so much keep up the great work.
Thanks! As far as I know, there is no other tutorial out there that actually teaches the technique (there might be now, but not last I checked). Everyone just seems to show off and/or gloss over the fundamentals
@@AlfredPotterGuitar I've been watching and practicing this over and over and I'm already getting decently fast man. I love the feeling of progress thanks again.
Best tutorial,on UA-cam on sweep picking
Thank you. Sequel coming soon!
anyone can sweep you just have to sit with a metronome and practice a lot. I'm far from perfect but the more metronome you the better get
Did Yoda write the last sentence of your comment?
@@danjwalker Not, he did
Thanks John Petrucci.
Not everyone can sweep. Pickn techniques, as to the way you hit the strings are a Major factor. Up n down, not many people know this style, and yes, use a metrinome.
Wow, Anthony really changed alot ever since he left smosh
I don't know what any of that means
@@AlfredPotterGuitar He's saying you look like Anthony Padilla, a UA-camr formerly of Smosh.
@@ccda3324 and smosh was previously the most subscribed channel on yt
Dude, this had to be the best freaking sweeping lesson I have found. Thank you for this detailed explanation. I will be sure to practice this everyday. Thanks so much.
Thanks! I noticed the internet didn't actually have a video tutorial on how to sweep (just people showing off or skipping the basics), so I made it =)
Thank you over the years . You've made me better. If I ever get famous, I'll remember all the UA-cam guitarist that got me where I am .
sound of your stomach picked up and amplified by your guitar pickups at 6:23 😁. happens to me all the time
Well that thoroughly grossed me out! I do remember being very hungry when I made this video but was in a rush that day. Must eat next time.
Alfred Potter Guitar yeah man. for sure
Arash Ghanbari iof
jajaja
I was on stage with my guitar resting on my stomach and I cut a fart and it went through my guitar and out of the PA to the crowd. Nice one. Lol 🤣
Thanks for opening the biggest door for me in years,,had given up trying to do this style and now I can finally do it cleanly. ,,some players use 'lessons to show what they can do but only very few teach with nothing else in mind but to really help others,,cool guy and a fantastic teacher ,thanks so so much !
Thanks George, I'm so happy to help! And yes that's what I thought too about the goal of the video. I wanted to make an actual lesson on sweep picking. I couldn't believe that nobody else had bothered to break it down and teach it.
I know this is an old video, Alfred, but I have always wanted to get this down (over 20 years) and you got me started by explaining it a little bit better than most. Great video, man. Thanks.
Hi Chris, I am so pleased! I remember what it was like for me when I was learning. There were no videos out there that actually taught the technique mechanics - just a load of people showing off or glossing over the fundamentals. If you appreciate my teaching style and really want to get sweeping like crazy, I made a huge 75+ video course hosted on MetalMastermind.com called "Sweep Picking Master". I think you'll love it. Check out the promo here to see if it's for you: ua-cam.com/video/6v4UsNKk4hM/v-deo.html
I have to say that you explained this better than anyone. So really you never play 2 notes, you only pick one note and either hammer on or pull off to produce the second note, and the picking hand always goes all the way up, or all the way down I am still having trouble getting to mute the previous string now, but you have made a good tutorial. thanks
Sounds like you're getting it. Good luck!
you should start getting some pro equipment and make a bunch of tutorials and you will be huge. Dood this helped me so much. you can make this channel big!!! \m/
Thanks I hope so! And I am working on it ;)
THOR! Odin's SON! protector of the man kind.. Run to play some metal! RAGNAROK AWAITS!
Great lesson and demonstration man! Sweeps are probably the most challenging guitar technique.
Thanks and yes it is for sure!
Then you don't know 8 finger tapping
I’ve literally been playing the guitar for 14 years and always avoided sweeping. Lately I’ve noticed some holes in my technique and figured I’d add some new shit to my Arsenal.
This video seriously explained it so perfectly that it kinda demystified the whole air around sweeping and helped me push that skill.
So hell yeah haha. Thanks man.
Yes!! so glad to hear it. All the best to you!
this guide alone has helped me immensely over the year. It is well done, easy to understand and very professional.
Thanks I am glad to hear it =)
You're great at explaining and giving examples. Not to mention your great choice of pace and suggesting pauses. Going to sub to your channel thanks for the vid!
I'm happy you noticed - I try hard to explain clearly and thoroughly. Thanks for the sub!
I have watched several videos on sweep picking lessons, and this is by far the best. This was broke down step by step to understand the right way to sweep. Thanks!
Thanks that's what I was aiming for!
selective muting is too hard given sweep picking is supposed to be about relatively fast arpeggios. I just let my left hand fingers mute strings by lifting them slightly. The only time I would mute is if I just leave my pick hand in the mute position for all the strings and actually MUTE them while sweeping. But maybe I'm weird.
Yes i agree or im wierd too
Thanks for this, I have 30 years of bad habits to break, your video is excellent.
Good luck =)
find the sweet spot then play the g string? hehehe
greg samarael "sweet spot"
save it. we're mature adults.
John Håvard Valebrokk we are?
John Håvard Valebrokk Steve T huh?
Lol you have to be 12 😂 I'm not hating but you HAVE to be XD
been playing guitar for as long as i can remember - mostly oldschool blues - watched this video - used what i already knew combined with your explenation and in a very short time i could actually sweep ick - more or less :) ty
So pleased!
First video I've seen of yours so far. Just started trying to learn this technique and it's like Thor teaching me guitar. You are such a great teacher, man. Soothing and helpful without the frustration. 😎⚡🤘👍
Thank you! I do try =) Good luck with the technique.
Well. Any video where I pick up two or more useful things gets a thumbs up. Nice work.
as a guitar music teacher too another you rock , me hopes its all cool for you your passion and articulation are truly the bees knees
Thanks and happy new year!
This is the most useful sweep picking tutorial that I have seen! Thanks.
Thank you. Yes no nonsense here - all technique no frills
You sound like Thor
I don't like my accent, argh. But I must live with it.
Alfred Potter Guitar you kidding? It's epic
That's what Thor would say.
You have a great accent. It's part Ozzie and I guess part New Zealandish, or do they both sound the same? I can't hear the Welsh under it, but maybe a bit?
Haha yes the accents are very similar but the Aussie accent is a little harder on the ears. All of their vowels sound like "eeeeeeee".
Very informative and easy to follow, I've been playing guitar for years but avoided sweeping like the plague, I think I'm ready to take the step now.
Haha, glad to hear it. Impatient players often give sweeping a bad name by slurring through arpeggios that are way too fast for them. We can be different though! We can approach them in a slow and clean way and leave the technique with some of its elegance :p
dude really It worked! :D it took 3 weeks 5 days and 17 hours :)
Love this kind of feedback - keep up the good work!
How long and how much do you practice?
IT'S EVERY DAY BROOOOOOOOOO00O00OO
tunku wel for me around 3 months practising sweep picking for 3 hours a day; url
I have now been playing for 11 years though so you better focus on other technical support like legatto the first 5 years firsf
Number one, no one did a full guide like this, thanks 🔥🤘🏽
Thank you for noticing! Everyone else just shows off and/or completely fails to teach the tech.
You look like you'd come to a dudes house to give him guitar lessons just to steal his wife lol very helpful lesson though thanks man
This is the most random thing i’ve ever seen
Played guitar for a number of years, but always struggled with learning to sweep pick. Thanks for the guide, been really helpful!
So glad to hear it. All it takes is the basics and it's not as hard as it seems! It's still a pain in the ass though lol
It's perfect for me I'm a beginner at sweeps .thanks again.
strawman musicluvr that's the first time you said thanks lol
Bork McBork ha ha.
Thank you so much for this simple explanation. I'm slowly getting down the palm muting part. took me a while and your explanation keeps me on my 2 feet and I don't need additional tutorials. No further comments needed for this video.
I could never get into sweep picking because I felt it was too complicated for me to learn, I can play most of pantera's solos and aic's solos so im looking to get better I feel sweep picking is the next step. Thanks for this video I may be able to learn this now! (subbed)
+kryptichellsing Thanks for the sub and for the comment! I hope my video helps you to get started. These really are the core fundamentals that I've never really seen anybody else teach on UA-cam
This is great, I can already feel my hands taking less stress just from knowing the absolute fundamentals, which are never properly explained. Thanks bro!
Man, nobody explains these fundamentals. It was so frustrating when I was learning!!
Alfred Potter Guitar Haha man my technique has improved after just one day. I will keep using this video, gotta do more bro!
6:29 ? Why not downstroke? You are making it way too difficult. Up then down, down (SWEEP! ) So you'd have UP, down down, UP, down down as opposed to UP, UP, lift way over a string you don't really have to then down.... if you did UP, pulloff, DOWN, DOWN, UP you have a nice sweep downward, no inside picking (which is hard) and three easy picks in a row right b4 that pulloff. Much easier, imo.
This is a very intelligent observation! I teach the different ways to approach 3S sweeps in my video: "How The Pros Sweep: Style vs. Style"
@@AlfredPotterGuitar I mean, you can do it with the inside picking but I just tried it both ways after watching this (i don't do a lot of sweep picking) and it seemed to me to be initially a lot easier using the down, down, up, pulloff way instead of the up, pulloff, up, down way as you showed. But maybe someone could do that at ripping speed but gosh, it'd make it harder to do, I think, if you had to pick in a direction away from your next note. I didn't have much luck speeding it up either way because that small of a sweep I actually have never even played before. I would have used more hammers and pulloffs (VH spoiled my picking techniques!). thanks!!!
I was on my phone before so couldn't post the video link. But here it is now: ua-cam.com/video/nRLPrNV6rsE/v-deo.html
Strangely enough I feel the "inside picking" version is the fastest. Watch Rusty Cooley and you'll see he agrees. The "outside picking" or Yngwie method is easier to learn and that's why beginners gravitate towards it. The trouble with it is that it doesn't work for 4-string sweeps very well - if at all. And I feel it violates some rules of pickslanting which makes me uneasy, haha.
from the first 42 seconds i can already tell i like this guy
From your first comment, I can tell you're a good dude
6:24 I think your hungry bro😂😂😂
That's why he was shaking a bit 😂
Dude is one of the chillest guys I've seen.
A decade of slooooowly getting better at guitar will automatically make you chill and patient =p Either that or you'll give up, haha
3:58 Clean Note Transitions
5:44 2 String Example
6:50 3 String Example
Thank you brother
Thank you, Alfred. This is just what I needed, a slow walk through the basic mechanics of this exciting technique.
Glad it was helpful =)
If sweeping is a beginner move, im lucas mann
Rings Of Saturn \m/
Weird way to spell guitar pro 3
Pretty sure he never said it was a beginner technique xD
This is much more informative than the Swisgaar Skwigelf Advanced Finger Wizard Master Class.
Hahah I did find that a funny watch, though. It's totally a parody of how useless most guitarists are when it comes to teaching (especially something technical like sweeping!) XD
Finally someone who understands.
It's a pain to explain/teach but somebody had to do it. And I am happy to help!
wow it took me this long to find someone who explains it the way I need it, THANK YOU
Thanks that's exactly why I made the video! Because nobody actually teaches it. It's just people showing off. They never break it down and explain the motions and the rest strokes etc. Thanks for watching.
I need to have your patience man lol I can learn a lot of things quickly but sweeping is just beyond me right now
Same man
I like to think I'm pretty good at playing guitar, but sweep picking is a huge block for me.
Appreciate you taking the time 5 years ago to make this vid.
No worries. Yes, it's because nobody except me has ever bothered to actually teach the technique. All other sweep picking videos show off and/or explain very little if at all.
Hello, I was wondering what shapes I should use to learn how to sweep pick. Would it make sense to sweep pick a bar chord for example and do you have to move your fingers of the string every time you play the string or do you gently mute it by hovering your finger over the string or should I only use my palm? What intervals do you normally use? I was curious to how you can derive your own licks to sweep over using the major scale. What position should the notes be in to be able to sweep pick them with more ease. Is it possible to improvise using sweep picking?
Thanks for reading if you are reading this.
My friend! I am on my phone right now and about to go to sleep, but if you would join my discord (the link is along the navbar of my website alfredpotter.com ) and drop your question in the #technique channel, I will answer it when I wake =)
@@AlfredPotterGuitar Thanks. Unfortunately I had an issue trying to enter. It wouldn't verify.
Finally a beginner guitar lesson on sweep picking truly basic! I don't know what's up with everybody else, they maybe don't know the meaning of beginner! I know it'll take a lot of time for me to lear it but this video was awesome! Thanks man, really!
+alexlanza7&9 Thanks so much! Yes there are so many "lessons" out there that just dive into big sweeps with little to no explanation. Drives me crazy!
+Alfred Potter Guitar Plus thanks for not showing off, that drives me crazy. I mean a lot of people make beginner guides and in the beginning of the video they show how they do that (of course 1000 times better than a beginner!) and I find it very intimidating they may think it's a way to show everyone their abilities or they maybe don't remember how it feels to be a beginner, I don't know! But I'm sure a beginner like me see that only as a discouragement and many think "I'll never be able to do that!". Instead you did it slow and explain how to train our fingers and our minds and you make me realize that by applying your method I will be able to learn! Thanks so much!
I appreciate your kind words. You complimented me on exactly what I set out to achieve: a humble, basic, informative video. :) and yes if we strip anything down to the basics we can become masters!
+Alfred Potter Guitar Your encouragement is gold for me! I'm much older than you and when I was a kid I studied classical guitar with a private teacher for few years. Now after more than 20 years I decided to learn guitar again but I don't have time to take lessons again (life is different now!).
I've been an instructor for many years in a totally different art and
your attitude it's exactly the same attitude I have when I teach! But in music 20 years it's a lot so the first thought I had was "I'll never learn again, I'm too old!".
It's nice to see people like you teaching in this way, thanks Alfred!
Looking at his hands shaking, tells us he actually just wanted to shred really hard.
He needs a drink.
Shit yeah send me one
Great lesson, that's the right technique. The rest stop stroke is really the only way to get those notes spaced evenly.
Very ASMR like.
ASMR is for weirdos wtf it’s so weird 😂
I'm going to need to keep coming back to this one. Thanks, dude.
i am more like the blues dude and use to laugh at the metalheads but this is hard :D
btw nice video!
Seemingly overnight I can cleanly sweep 3 note patterns at high speeds. Thank you for this video sir, first tutorial that has actually worked for me regarding sweep picking.
I am so pleased
@@AlfredPotterGuitar Maybe there is something magic about your videos. I was following your video on 5 string sweeps, went to sleep, and again woke up creating my own 5 string sweep patterns at 150bpm. I cant thank you enough, definitely subscribing (this is after weeks of failed attempts to learn sweeping)
At the last exercise - can you play the bottom note (G-string) with an downstroke, essentially starting the downstroke sweep 1 note earlier? Or is there a specific reason for it being an upstroke?
Hello yes there are two alternative techniques available to you. Watch my video "How the pros sweep: style vs. style" to learn more.
This helped me out so much! You are the only one I have found that has went into full detail and actually seem to care about guitar playing. Great video man. Subscribing for sure! Good playing too!
Thanks for subscribing and commenting! Yeah I can't stand videos where people just show off and gloss over the technical aspects, barely explaining anything. This video of mine was designed to be a total, over-the-top detailed
instructional that I wish I had access to when I began sweeping :D
Going in to this a soon as i'm done with exams m8 :)
+tGhIeNrGmEiRte Please let me know how you get on and if you have further questions
You rarely see good hockey players who can also coach right. Good vid!
cool marshall amp back there, I have same one :D
I have one too, it's the only one I can afford ;)
"pause the video if you need to" you my friend are an awesome teacher. subbing for sure
Thank you friend. And welcome!
This guy sounds like Thor. I like it
Mate, I watched 5 seconds of you in this video and immediately knew this would be great.
Your serious face in the beginning worked to convince me that you know your stuff.
great video, great guitar, but you might want to ask lightning mcqueen for some of that rusteez. Only kidding great vid
This old guitar has been retired, you'll be happy to hear, haha
Not the most fancy and entertaining video, but very much detailed and useful... thanks man!
Great video, subscribed. But i just have a question, in the 2/3 string examples are you also muting with the palm of your right hand or just with your left hand by releasing the string? Thanks.
+Lord Turtle Ⓥ Thanks! And thank you for the question. In the 2 and 3 string examples you put together the fretting hand transitions AND the palm mute.
Definitely one of the best videos around sweep picking! Great work, man!
Sequel hopefully coming this week!
Always found this kind of technique a real mystery, Alfred, but i feel very optimistic with this - thanks for a great video.
Thank you. Yes it is a mystery and it certainly isn't helped by people pretending to teach it when in actuality they just show off and barely explain anything, haha! I found that getting technical instead, like in this video, is the way to go.
Hey Alfred,
Thumbs up!!
+Mark Love Thanks Mark!
Excellent lesson and you explain everything slowly step by step. Thank you so much.
Thank you, that was certainly my goal. To make it so simple that everyone can sweep =) sequel coming soon
Rollo ?
Great video Alfred I've been playing for a while and I can sweep but when I sweep downwards I've always struggled with string noise vs perfect sounding sweeps when I sweep picking up. This video helps clairfy it a lot good stuff appreciate it
It's always the way it goes huh: one way is better than the other. Quite frustrating!
Young James Hetfield teaching how to sweep pick : )) haha
Didn't know someone named Alfred Potter would be so metal and badass
Hahah yes it is quite an old English name
@@AlfredPotterGuitar I've got the same name. Alfreds unite!
So when does the booze and women come into effect?
Thanks dude this helps me because I’ve only been teaching myself for one year and I’m good at picking and now i wanna play some sweep picking
excellent. I wish you luck!
Hi Alfred! I want to know if the picking pattern will make a huge difference, when learning Sweep Picking.
Like, if I play the G going up, or down. Will that influence much? (in case of 3 strings sweeping)
If I pluck the G string up, my pick would still in between B and G, so I would just move down from there.
If I pluck the G string down, I would have to skip the G string, and then play it down (because I would be going up, on the lower strings).
Is there a wrong method or any of this two would still give me a good result at the end?
I made a quick video here showing what I mean, and I'm beggining to learn, as you can tell: ua-cam.com/video/REPe0SlfSMM/v-deo.html
Thanks in advance!
Hey you're a clever dude. Most people never question or even think about this.
It may interest you to know that there's actually a third way of playing 3-S sweeps.
I covered all 3 in my video: "How the Pros Sweep: Style vs. Style"
Check it out here:
ua-cam.com/video/nRLPrNV6rsE/v-deo.html
@@AlfredPotterGuitar Thanks for the reply.
I was practicing Rusty style, but now I feel like the Malmsteen way is easier tbh..
I want to play a Jason Becker song, so that may take some time haha
You won’t find a better video explanation. I have learned on my own what it takes to sweep pick but I still haven’t mastered the technique for shit. This is the most crucial piece in shredding. Ugh I need it.
Sweeping isn't that hard once you can do it. I'm speaking purely in terms of economy of motion. When people struggle with sweep picking there are usually 1 or more of these 6 errors:
1. Notes aren't same duration
2. Notes aren't transitioning cleanly
3. String noise isn't being muted
4. Sync sucks
5. Arm/wrist motions aren't suitable for the technique
6. Incorrect pickslanting
I cover and remedy all of these points in my PDF "Lead Guitar Practice Methodology". Learn about it here!
ua-cam.com/video/s43mwnLpKZ4/v-deo.html
Or if you just want a chat, send me a message through my FB page (AlfredPotterGuitar) =)
Alfred Potter Guitar wow thanks for responding! I can do sweep picking at a reasonable bpm, but so often it’s a technique only used at high speeds towards the end of solos. I guess it’s also possible that I’m overshooting on the amount of notes in that arpeggio section of the song. Maybe I’m trying to do too much perhaps but I don’t know. I’ll have to come up with some questions and get back to you.
Yeah man I hear ya! Well send me a message if you want. I am here to help
lmao why does this guy look like the Jesus Christ of metal?
I look Eastern?
That's because he is. The Italian version of Jesus is white.
He IS the jesus christ of metal...
He doesnt look like it..
That's the best tutorial on this I've seen, and most of the others I had to pay for. Good job.