# Alternate picking — down, up, never two downs > Interactive page: [`alternate.html`](alternate.html) · Lab: [`alternate-lab.html`](alternate-lab.html) Alternate picking is the default right-hand clock for **scale lines**: **down-up-down-up** with no two downs (or two ups) in a row. Goal: even pulse, small stroke, clean string changes that still keep the strict alternate rule. **Technique path:** [Exercises · pick](exercises.md#pick) → this page → [Alternate lab](alternate-lab.md) → [Solo drills · alternate](drills-solo.md#alt) **Hold / motion / click:** light grip; mostly wrist; lock to the practice-bar click. **Escape hatch:** when a string change wants a reverse that feels wrong, that is a cue for [economy](economy.md) or [sweep](sweep.md) — not two downs on alternate. TAB: high **e** on top. Footers: **LH**, **RH** D/U, **X** (`o` outside / `i` inside), note names. ## Scales job — why alternate exists These lessons are the right-hand grammar for [scales](scales.md): pentatonic boxes (2NPS), chromatic approach, and any shape under strict DUDU. - **Learn the map:** note-name footers are scale tones — say them while you pick (Am box = A minor pentatonic; 3NPS cells preview shapes on [Scales](scales.md) / [Modes](modes.md)). - **Grow the neck:** 2→4→6 string steps = full-neck scale fluency. - **Lab:** [Alternate lab](alternate-lab.md) · Scale shape loads real systems under the same RH rules. - **Siblings:** long 3NPS → [economy](economy.md); chord tones of a key → [sweep](sweep.md). **Sources (two-check):** Hal Leonard / rock lead alternate · Berklee right-hand-to-click. Inside/outside: Guitar World consensus. Troy Grady pickslanting is the *job* (exit path) — not a copied drill catalog. Siblings: [Economy](economy.md) · [Sweep](sweep.md). --- ## Lesson 1 · Open E pulse · DUDU Eight notes on open low E. Left hand off the frets. ``` e|-------------------------------- B|-------------------------------- G|-------------------------------- D|-------------------------------- A|-------------------------------- E|---0---0---0---0---0---0---0---0 LH 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 RH D U D U D U D U X: E E E E E E E E ``` Listen for: every up as loud as every down. ## Lesson 2 · Accents on open G Same DUDU on open G — three jobs: accent downs, accent ups, even. ``` e|-------------------------------- B|-------------------------------- G|---0---0---0---0---0---0---0---0 D|-------------------------------- A|-------------------------------- E|-------------------------------- LH 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 RH D U D U D U D U X: G G G G G G G G ``` ## Lesson 3 · Chromatic G 5–8 · start down Frets 5-6-7-8-8-7-6-5 (repeat the top) — eight eighths, one bar of 4/4. First note down. ``` e|-------------------------------- B|-------------------------------- G|---5---6---7---8---8---7---6---5 D|-------------------------------- A|-------------------------------- E|-------------------------------- LH 1 2 3 4 4 3 2 1 RH D U D U D U D U X: C C# D D# D# D C# C ``` ## Lesson 4 · Same chromatic · start up Identical frets; RH map flips. Same eight-note 4/4 bar. ``` e|-------------------------------- B|-------------------------------- G|---5---6---7---8---8---7---6---5 D|-------------------------------- A|-------------------------------- E|-------------------------------- LH 1 2 3 4 4 3 2 1 RH U D U D U D U D X: C C# D D# D# D C# C ``` ## Lesson 5 · Outside ping-pong · G5–B5 Start on G5, then B5. **o** on the X row. ``` e|-------------------------------- B|-------5-------5-------5-------5 G|---5-------5-------5-------5---- D|-------------------------------- A|-------------------------------- E|-------------------------------- LH 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 RH D U D U D U D U X: o o o o o o o C E C E C E C E ``` ## Lesson 6 · Inside ping-pong · B5–G5 Start on B5, then G5. **i** on the X row. ``` e|-------------------------------- B|---5-------5-------5-------5---- G|-------5-------5-------5-------5 D|-------------------------------- A|-------------------------------- E|-------------------------------- LH 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 RH D U D U D U D U X: i i i i i i i E C E C E C E C ``` ## Lesson 7 · 2NPS progressive · 2→4→6 strings **Two strings · D G** ``` e|-------------------------------- B|-------------------------------- G|-----------5---7---7---5-------- D|---5---7-------------------7---5 A|-------------------------------- E|-------------------------------- LH 1 3 1 3 3 1 3 1 RH D U D U D U D U X: i o G A C D D C A G ``` **Four strings · D G B e** — 5–7 on each, reverse including peak (sixteen eighths). ``` e|---------------------------5---7---7---5------------------------ B|-------------------5---7-------------------7---5---------------- G|-----------5---7-----------------------------------7---5-------- D|---5---7---------------------------------------------------7---5 A|---------------------------------------------------------------- E|---------------------------------------------------------------- LH 1 3 1 3 1 3 1 3 3 1 3 1 3 1 3 1 RH D U D U D U D U D U D U D U D U X: i i i o o o G A C D E F# A B B A F# E D C A G ``` **Six strings · full neck** — 2NPS 5–7 E→e updown (twenty-four eighths). ``` e|-------------------------------------------5---7---7---5---------------------------------------- B|-----------------------------------5---7-------------------7---5-------------------------------- G|---------------------------5---7-----------------------------------7---5------------------------ D|-------------------5---7---------------------------------------------------7---5---------------- A|-----------5---7-------------------------------------------------------------------7---5-------- E|---5---7-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------7---5 LH 1 3 1 3 1 3 1 3 1 3 1 3 3 1 3 1 3 1 3 1 3 1 3 1 RH D U D U D U D U D U D U D U D U D U D U D U D U X: i i i i i o o o o o A B D E G A C D E F# A B B A F# E D C A G E D B A ``` ## Lesson 8 · 3NPS progressive · 2→4→6 · strict alternate **Two strings · D G** — D5–7–9 G5–7–8 updown — no double downs. G starts on an **up**. ``` e|------------------------------------------------ B|------------------------------------------------ G|---------------5---7---8---8---7---5------------ D|---5---7---9---------------------------9---7---5 A|------------------------------------------------ E|------------------------------------------------ LH 1 2 4 1 2 3 3 2 1 4 2 1 RH D U D U D U D U D U D U X: o i G A B C D D# D# D C B A G ``` When the join feels inevitable: [Economy · ascending join](economy.md#lesson-2--ascending-join--d579-then-g5). **Four strings · D G B e** — same frets as economy (D 5–7–9, G 5–7–8, B 5–6–8, e 5–7–8) updown — twenty-four eighths. Strict alternate only (no double downs). ``` e|---------------------------------------5---7---8---8---7---5------------------------------------ B|---------------------------5---6---8---------------------------8---6---5------------------------ G|---------------5---7---8---------------------------------------------------8---7---5------------ D|---5---7---9---------------------------------------------------------------------------9---7---5 A|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ E|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ LH 1 2 4 1 2 3 1 2 4 1 2 4 4 2 1 4 2 1 3 2 1 4 2 1 RH D U D U D U D U D U D U D U D U D U D U D U D U X: o i o i o i G A B C D D# E F G A B C C B A G F E D# D C B A G ``` **Six strings · full neck** — E/A/D 5–7–9; G 5–7–8; B 5–6–8; e 5–7–8 updown — thirty-six eighths. Strict alternate (no double downs). ``` e|---------------------------------------------------------------5---7---8---8---7---5------------------------------------------------------------ B|---------------------------------------------------5---6---8---------------------------8---6---5------------------------------------------------ G|---------------------------------------5---7---8---------------------------------------------------8---7---5------------------------------------ D|---------------------------5---7---9---------------------------------------------------------------------------9---7---5------------------------ A|---------------5---7---9---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------9---7---5------------ E|---5---7---9---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------9---7---5 LH 1 2 4 1 2 4 1 2 4 1 2 3 1 2 4 1 2 4 4 2 1 4 2 1 3 2 1 4 2 1 4 2 1 4 2 1 RH D U D U D U D U D U D U D U D U D U D U D U D U D U D U D U D U D U D U X: o i o i o i o i o i A B C# D E F# G A B C D D# E F G A B C C B A G F E D# D C B A G F# E D C# B A ``` ## Lesson 9 · String skip · outside and inside **Outside** E5 ↔ D7: ``` e|------------------------ B|------------------------ G|------------------------ D|-------7-------7-------7 A|------------------------ E|---5-------5-------5---- LH 1 1 1 1 1 1 RH D U D U D U X: o o o o o A A A A A A ``` **Inside** D7 ↔ E5: ``` e|------------------------ B|------------------------ G|------------------------ D|---7-------7-------7---- A|------------------------ E|-------5-------5-------5 LH 1 1 1 1 1 1 RH D U D U D U X: i i i i i A A A A A A ``` ## Lesson 10 · Triplets, then 3-string and 6-string 3NPS fragments Triplets on G5–7–8 (six notes): ``` e|------------------------ B|------------------------ G|---5---7---8---5---7---8 D|------------------------ A|------------------------ E|------------------------ LH 1 3 4 1 3 4 RH D U D U D U X: C D D# C D D# ``` Fragment D–G–B: ``` e|------------------------------------ B|---------------------------5---6---8 G|---------------5---7---8------------ D|---5---7---9------------------------ A|------------------------------------ E|------------------------------------ LH 1 2 4 1 2 3 1 2 4 RH D U D U D U D U D X: o i G A B C D D# E F G ``` **Six-string 3NPS · ascending** — next step after the 3-string fragment; same frets as lesson 8c, one direction only (eighteen notes). Full updown is lesson 8c. ``` e|---------------------------------------------------------------5---7---8 B|---------------------------------------------------5---6---8------------ G|---------------------------------------5---7---8------------------------ D|---------------------------5---7---9------------------------------------ A|---------------5---7---9------------------------------------------------ E|---5---7---9------------------------------------------------------------ LH 1 2 4 1 2 4 1 2 4 1 2 3 1 2 4 1 2 4 RH D U D U D U D U D U D U D U D U D U X: o i o i o A B C# D E F# G A B C D D# E F G A B C ``` ## Lesson 11 · Am box 1 · 3 then 4 strings (full 6 in lesson 15) **Three bass strings · E A D** ``` e|------------------------------------------------ B|------------------------------------------------ G|------------------------------------------------ D|-------------------5---7---7---5---------------- A|-----------5---7-------------------7---5-------- E|---5---8-----------------------------------8---5 LH 1 4 1 3 1 3 3 1 3 1 4 1 RH D U D U D U D U D U D U X: i i o o A C D E G A A G E D C A ``` **Four strings · E A D G** — mid step (sixteen eighths). Full six-string Am is [lesson 15](#lesson-15--am-box-1-full-neck--updown) — not duplicated here. ``` e|---------------------------------------------------------------- B|---------------------------------------------------------------- G|---------------------------5---7---7---5------------------------ D|-------------------5---7-------------------7---5---------------- A|-----------5---7-----------------------------------7---5-------- E|---5---8---------------------------------------------------8---5 LH 1 4 1 3 1 3 1 3 3 1 3 1 3 1 4 1 RH D U D U D U D U D U D U D U D U X: i i i o o o A C D E G A C D D C A G E D C A ``` ## Lesson 12 · Burst · eight sixteenths on G5 Beats 0.25 — still DUDU. ``` e|-------------------------------- B|-------------------------------- G|---5---5---5---5---5---5---5---5 D|-------------------------------- A|-------------------------------- E|-------------------------------- LH 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 RH D U D U D U D U X: C C C C C C C C ``` ## Lesson 13 · 4NPS spider · D then G Four frets on D (5–8), four on G (5–8), then reverse. Even NPS + start down → ascending changes are **inside** (`i`). Odd NPS (lesson 8) → ascending change is outside and the next string starts on an up. ``` e|---------------------------------------------------------------- B|---------------------------------------------------------------- G|-------------------5---6---7---8---8---7---6---5---------------- D|---5---6---7---8-----------------------------------8---7---6---5 A|---------------------------------------------------------------- E|---------------------------------------------------------------- LH 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 4 3 2 1 4 3 2 1 RH D U D U D U D U D U D U D U D U X: i o G G# A A# C C# D D# D# D C# C A# A G# G ``` Next: 3-string spider in lesson 16, then 4-string and 6-string in the expanded lesson 16 cards. ## Lesson 14 · Outside then inside crawl · fret 5 · E→e **Outside crawl** — low string first each pair across all six strings (E→e at fret 5; five pairs). Ten eighths. ``` e|---------------------------------------5 B|-------------------------------5---5---- G|-----------------------5---5------------ D|---------------5---5-------------------- A|-------5---5---------------------------- E|---5------------------------------------ LH 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 RH D U D U D U D U D U X: o o o o o A D D G G C C E E A ``` **Inside crawl** — high string first each pair. Same frets E→e; X row `i`. Ten eighths. ``` e|-----------------------------------5---- B|---------------------------5-----------5 G|-------------------5-----------5-------- D|-----------5-----------5---------------- A|---5-----------5------------------------ E|-------5-------------------------------- LH 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 RH D U D U D U D U D U X: i i i i i i i i i D A G D C G E C A E ``` ## Lesson 15 · Am box 1 full neck · updown Full six-string Am pentatonic at fret 5, reverse including the peak — twenty-four eighths (three bars of 4/4). ``` e|-------------------------------------------5---8---8---5---------------------------------------- B|-----------------------------------5---8-------------------8---5-------------------------------- G|---------------------------5---7-----------------------------------7---5------------------------ D|-------------------5---7---------------------------------------------------7---5---------------- A|-----------5---7-------------------------------------------------------------------7---5-------- E|---5---8-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------8---5 LH 1 4 1 3 1 3 1 3 1 4 1 4 4 1 4 1 3 1 3 1 3 1 4 1 RH D U D U D U D U D U D U D U D U D U D U D U D U X: i i i i i o o o o o A C D E G A C D E G A C C A G E D C A G E D C A ``` ## Lesson 16 · Progressive 4NPS spider · 3→4→6 **Three strings · D G B** — frets 5–8 on D, G, and B, then reverse including the peak — twenty-four eighths. ``` e|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ B|-----------------------------------5---6---7---8---8---7---6---5-------------------------------- G|-------------------5---6---7---8-----------------------------------8---7---6---5---------------- D|---5---6---7---8-------------------------------------------------------------------8---7---6---5 A|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ E|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ LH 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 4 3 2 1 4 3 2 1 4 3 2 1 RH D U D U D U D U D U D U D U D U D U D U D U D U X: i i o o G G# A A# C C# D D# E F F# G G F# F E D# D C# C A# A G# G ``` **Four strings · D G B e** — frets 5–8 updown (thirty-two eighths). ``` e|---------------------------------------------------5---6---7---8---8---7---6---5------------------------------------------------ B|-----------------------------------5---6---7---8-----------------------------------8---7---6---5-------------------------------- G|-------------------5---6---7---8-------------------------------------------------------------------8---7---6---5---------------- D|---5---6---7---8---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------8---7---6---5 A|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- E|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LH 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 4 3 2 1 4 3 2 1 4 3 2 1 4 3 2 1 RH D U D U D U D U D U D U D U D U D U D U D U D U D U D U D U D U X: i i i o o o G G# A A# C C# D D# E F F# G A A# B C C B A# A G F# F E D# D C# C A# A G# G ``` **Six strings · ascending only** — 4NPS 5–8 E→e, one direction (twenty-four eighths = three bars). Ascending-only keeps the cell countable; reverse when ready in the [lab](alternate-lab.md). ``` e|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------5---6---7---8 B|-------------------------------------------------------------------5---6---7---8---------------- G|---------------------------------------------------5---6---7---8-------------------------------- D|-----------------------------------5---6---7---8------------------------------------------------ A|-------------------5---6---7---8---------------------------------------------------------------- E|---5---6---7---8-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LH 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 RH D U D U D U D U D U D U D U D U D U D U D U D U X: i i i i i A A# B C D D# E F G G# A A# C C# D D# E F F# G A A# B C ``` Then: [Alternate lab](alternate-lab.md) · [Economy](economy.md). ## Practice note 5 minutes on a new lesson. Pulse/accents first, then one-string chromatic, then one crossing family per day. Progress multi-string cells 2→4→6 when the smaller cell is even. Do not stack spiders and full-neck runs in the same five minutes. Then [Alternate lab](alternate-lab.md), [Economy](economy.md), [Solo drills · alternate](drills-solo.md#alt).