Economy Picking Guitar Lesson
Economy Picking
Brad explains the basics of a technique called economy picking. Economy picking is a technique that increases speed and accuracy.
Taught by Brad Henecke in Speed and Technique seriesLength: 5:33Difficulty: 3.0 of 5
Before alternate picking was ever developed, economy picking was the most prevalent picking technique. It is still used very frequently, but not quite as often as alternate picking. Economy picking is often described as a combination of alternate picking and sweep picking. Economy picking eliminates any unnecessary movement made by the picking hand in the course of a scalar line. Quite simply, economy picking will allow you to play single note lines at much faster tempos. When it comes to technique, remember the following mantra: "minimum effort for maximum effect." In other words, the most economical hand and finger movements will yield the most accurate and fastest playing. Also, remember to keep your entire body as relaxed and comfortable at all times.
Note: Jazz guitarists such as Django Reinhardt exploited this technique when playing fast, improvised lines. A Django inspired lick can be found in the "Supplemental Content" section.
Economy Picking Guidelines
The rules are simple. On a single string, use strict alternate picking. When switching to another string use two consecutive strokes of the same direction.
Economy Picking Exercises
A. Exercise 1
Open the notation to "Economy Picking Exercise" in the "Supplemental Content" section. This exercise begins with three low open E notes. Notice how the picking pattern begins with standard alternate picking. On the "and" beat of 2, the exercise switches to the fourth string. Normally, an upstroke would be applied to this note. However, it is more economical to use a downstroke for this note, since the pick is already heading in a downward direction.
When descending the exercise, the picking pattern must change. Two upstrokes are played sequentially when crossing strings. This is the most economical picking pattern, since the pick is already headed in an upward direction from the previous note. Watch Brad's picking hand very closely for an example of how this exercise should be played. Since the left hand is taken out of the exercise, you are free to focus all of your attention on the picking hand.
B. Exercise 2
This exercise incorporates the left hand into the first exercise. The vast majority of lines that are picked with economy picking are scalar lines that involve fretted notes rather than open strings.
This exercise requires some extra brain / hand coordination. As a result, you'll need to start this exercise at a much slower tempo. Then, gradually speed it up. Although economy picking is a technique that is built for speed, play this exercise very slowly at first. Make sure the rhythm is even and that the exercise sounds musical. Do not cut the first note on each string short. This is a very common mistake made by guitarists who are first learning economy picking.
When to Use Economy Picking
Economy picking works best when there are an odd number of notes played on a string (usually 1, 3, or 5) before a string crossing must be made. Otherwise, alternate picking is typically most economical. Brad exemplifies this guideline by playing through the most common pattern of the G Aeolian mode. Pay careful attention to the picking pattern he uses for this scale. Tablature to this scale played with economy picking can be found under the "Supplemental Content" tab.
Supplemental Learning Material
Speed and Technique
Found in our Beginner Lesson SetsTechnique is extremely important to playing in any style of music. Perfect technique combined with blazing speed can take your playing to a whole new level.
Lesson 1
Series Introduction
Brad introduces his Speed and Technique series.
Length: 1:15 Difficulty: 0.5 Members Only
Picking and Timing
Brad Henecke covers proper picking technique and gives a basic lesson on notes/timing.
Length: 6:10 Difficulty: 0.5 Members Only
Picking and Downstrokes
This lesson is all about the downstroke. Brad discusses technique and shows you how to pick in different rhythmic groupings.
Length: 5:20 Difficulty: 0.5 Members Only
Upstrokes
Brad covers the proper way to perform an upstroke.
Length: 4:16 Difficulty: 0.5 Members Only
Alternate Picking
Brad Henecke covers alternate picking and how it can speed up your guitar playing.
Length: 5:00 Difficulty: 0.5 Members Only
Alternate Picking with Upstrokes
Brad Henecke presents alternate picking exercises that start with an upstroke.
Length: 3:26 Difficulty: 0.5 Members Only
Sweep Picking
Brad explains the basics of sweep picking in this fun speed building guitar lesson.
Length: 9:00 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
Economy Picking
Brad explains the basics of a technique called economy picking.
Length: 5:33 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
Series Review
Brad provides a brief review of this series. He gives information regarding why technique is so important.
Length: 2:00 Difficulty: 0.5 Members Only
String Skipping
Brad covers proper string skipping technique and gives you some exercises that will speed up your playing.
Length: 8:10 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Hammer-on / Pull-off
This lesson is all about improving speed by applying hammer-ons and pull-offs. Learn some exercises that sound great and boost speed.
Length: 11:27 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Hammer-On Lick
Brad Henecke demonstrates a speed building lick that makes heavy use of hammer-ons.
Length: 0:00 Difficulty: 0.0 Members Only
About Brad Henecke
View Full Biography
Brad Henecke was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on May 5th of 1963. He has been a fan of music for as long as he & his family can remember. You could always find him running around the farm wailing on his cardboard guitar, pretending to be a member of the rock band KISS. Additional inspiration came during his first concert when he got the chance to see Boston & Sammy Hagar in the early 1970's.
This opened up a whole new world of rock and roll music for him; his parents noticed his growing interest in music and enrolled him into guitar lessons when he was 13.
From there he jumped into two years of lessons at a local music store in Cedar Rapids. After discovering Eddie Van Halen, Brad knew that the
guitar would always be a part of his life. He took his love throughout the city as he played as a pit musician & jammed at parties for friends.
This made him thirsty for more. He enrolled classes at Kirkwood Community College & also took lessons from the one & only Craig-Erickson (www.craig-erickson.com).
His love for music landed him a gig opening for Molly Hatchet in Cedar Rapids with a band called "Slap & Tickle". He has also played in the Greeley
Stampede show for quite a few years with "True North".
Brad is currently playing in Greeley, Colorado with a rock band titled "Ragged Doll". They play a wide variety of music with an emphasis on
classic rock from the 60's to present, with Brad playing electric guitar in the five piece lineup.
He currently jams on his all-time favorite guitar: a Paul Reed Smith Custom 24. Beyond guitar, he plays also plays drums & bass guitar. He has
also been known to thrash a banjo from time to time. He is still actively playing & passing his 31 years of playing experience on to others (you!).
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Member Comments about this Lesson
Discussions with our instructors are just one of the many benefits of becoming a member of JamPlay.what guitar effects are you using to make your guitar sound so?
upstrokes are against gravity, that's why i've been uneconomic doing downstrokes too much. this lesson is great in showing me that mistake.
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great lesson.