Last Updated on May 15, 2019 by Klaus Crow

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Sweep picking is a picking technique that was invented and developed by jazz guitarists Chuck Wayne and Tal Farlow.

Later the technique was further developed by fusion guitarist Frank Gambale.

The quality of sweep picking is that it produces a fast and fluid sound (once you get the hang of it). This is because you only need few strokes as apposed to alternate picking.

While it is generally used for arpeggios, it can also be applied to scales, 3 notes per string licks and… well just anything really.

In this topic we’ll be covering 5 pentatonic patterns in the key of A. If you already know how to play the 5 pentatonic shapes using alternate picking and you want to try sweep picking for a change to make it sound more fluid, give it a more Gambale feel to it or just to see where it will take you, this one’s for you.

You don’t have to choose one picking technique for your style of playing. A lot of guitar players combine both. They use alternate picking mainly and apply sweep picking occasionally for particular licks or arpeggios.

Sweeping

For the alternate picking approach you go “down, up, down, up, down, up” with the picking hand. In the scale patterns below you also use alternate picking except when changing strings you’ll be picking in the direction of where you’re heading. Use a downstroke if you’re changing to a higher (pitch) string and use an upstroke if you’re changing to a lower (pitch) string.

You can see the down and upstroke symbols in the scale patterns right between the standard and tablature notation. The downstroke symbol looks like a hurdle for track and field, the upstroke symbol looks like a “V”.

I have to admit the pentatonic patterns are quite a stretch. Major scales are much easier to play, but for the rock and blues players out there we don’t want to miss out on the pentatonic.

It takes a bit of practice to get used to the sweep picking feeling but hang in there. After a while it feels so natural and easy. It’s the path of least resistance.

Have fun!



Pattern 1 (A minor pentatonic)

All 5 patterns are in the key of A, so the root note is also an “A” note.

Root notes are the “5” on the 6th string, the “7” on the 4th string and the “10” on the 2nd string.



Pattern 2 (A minor pentatonic)

Root notes are the “7” on the 4th string and the “10” on the 2nd string.



Pattern 3 (A minor pentatonic)

Root notes are the “12” on the 5th string and the “10” on the 2nd string.



Pattern 4 (A minor pentatonic)

Root notes are the “17” on the 6th string and the “14” on the 3rd string.



Pattern 5 (A minor pentatonic)

Root notes are the “5” on the 6th string, the “7” on the 4th string and the “5” on the 1st string.



If you really want to get into the sweep picking zone there’s a really cool Frank Gambale Sweep picking DVD called Monster Licks-Speed Picking

Keep on picking!