Sweep picking exercise

[coyote-1]

I come from alternating technique, always up-down (or down-up) motion. So my sweep picking on arpeggios is weak.

I’ve developed a practice routine. The exercise can be anything really, but I’m using Night In Tunisia.

I play on the low E string with my ring finger. I then start a minor 9 arpeggio with the pinky. So if the first note is Ab on the ring finger, I then sweep down:
A on pinky
C middle finger, on A string
E index finger, on D string
B third finger, G string

Then sweep back up. Not worrying at first about note definition. The primary focus is to play from the elbow with a relaxed wrist, and allow the ‘sweep’ to occur without stress. To ensure I’m NOT trying to define the note with the pick.

I’m moving this up and down the neck. I’m finding that as I get toward the 8th and 9th fret, the note precision starts to get better. Then as I move up to around fret 12, it deteriorates. So the objective is to simply do this for a few minutes here and there, and let the note precision fall into place on its own.

It not only helps develop the sweep technique, but puts a standard under my fingers.

[AllanAllen]

I would recommend the use of a metronome for this, otherwise you can end up rushing all your sweeps. I started with diatonic triads up and down the neck, but you'll probably have a leg up starting with a tune.

[coyote-1]

I would recommend the use of a metronome for this, otherwise you can end up rushing all your sweeps. I started with diatonic triads up and down the neck, but you'll probably have a leg up starting with a tune.

Metronome is default for me. I’m not doing that exercise “to the song”; I’m doing it to a metronome.

My first instrument is drums. I’m a stickler for time.