Sweep picking — from the pick path up
Sweep picking is how scale harmony speaks fast: several clean notes from one pick stroke — the chord tones inside a key (arpeggios), not every step of the scale. The goal is not speed yet — it is clean strokes: each string speaks on its own beat, with no chop between strings and no smear like a strum. The pick stays at one angle and rides across adjacent strings.
Technique path: Exercises · Solo exercises · Alternate · Economy · this page · Scales / CAGED · Solo drills · sweep
What this module is trying to do: train the right hand to produce even, separate attacks while the pick moves in one direction. If three strings sound like one muddy rake, slow down. If they sound like three disconnected chops, you are alternate picking, not sweeping. The sweet spot is three clear notes, one fluid motion.
Six-line tablature (TAB): high e on top, low E on bottom — same as Foundations · TAB. Read left to right as time. x marks where the pick hits. Play becomes Stop; a moving bar on the TAB follows the sounding note. Models use eighth notes (two notes per second at BPM 60). Tempo follows the metronome in the practice bar.
Scales job — why sweep exists
Alternate and economy teach you to run steps of a scale. Sweep teaches the skeleton of the same key: triads and 7ths that sit inside major / minor / pentatonic maps and CAGED chord shapes.
- Open-string paths first: learn the pick ride (3→4→5 strings) before fretting — then Am barre lessons are A minor chord tones (scale degrees 1–♭3–5) at the 12th fret.
- Name the harmony: each sweep is a chord from the key — connect it to the Am / C major world on Scales, not only to “a cool lick.”
- Lab: Sweep lab builds arpeggios in any root/quality — the same CAGED vocabulary as Scales, under a rest-stroke RH.
- Sibling RH: scalar filler between arpeggios uses alternate or economy. One key, three jobs.
Lesson 1 · Three-string sweep · G → B → e
Three strings only: G, B, high e. Each x is one pick attack on that string.
Down · G first, then B, then e · D D D
Pick travels toward the floor. One continuous downstroke in three parts: G → B → e. Do not stop and restart the pick between strings.
e|-----------------x-
B|-------------x-----
G|---------x---------
D|-------------------
A|-------------------
E|-------------------
1 2 3
D D D
G → B → e
Up · e first, then B, then G · U U U
Reverse the path. Pick travels toward the ceiling: e → B → G. Three upstrokes, same fluid motion.
e|---------x---------
B|-------------x-----
G|-----------------x-
D|-------------------
A|-------------------
E|-------------------
1 2 3
U U U
e → B → G
Down then up · one loop
Link both motions: G → B → e (D D D), then immediately e → B → G (U U U). One tablature diagram — read left to right, six beats.
e|---------x---x--------- B|-----x-----------x----- G|-x-------------------x- D|----------------------- A|----------------------- E|----------------------- 1 2 3 4 5 6 D D D U U U G → B → e → e → B → G
Listen for: one pick angle; no chop between strings. Three separate hits means it is still alternate picking.
Same drill, other string sets: when G–B–e is even, run the same down, up, and down-up loop on B → G → D, then G → D → A, then D → A → E (low E on that last set). Same tablature layout — only which lines carry the x marks changes. Do not rush to lesson 2 until all four three-string groups sound even.
Lesson 2 · Four-string sweep · D → G → B → e
Four adjacent strings: D, G, B, high e. Same pick path as lesson 1, one string wider — down then up in one loop.
Down then up · one loop
D → G → B → e (D D D D), then e → B → G → D (U U U U). Eight beats, left to right.
e|-------------x---x------------- B|---------x-----------x--------- G|-----x-------------------x----- D|-x---------------------------x- A|------------------------------- E|------------------------------- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 D D D D U U U U D → G → B → e → e → B → G → D
Listen for: four even notes — the extra string often makes the middle rush.
Lesson 3 · Five-string sweep · A → D → G → B → e
Five strings: A, D, G, B, high e — not low E. Pick path behind many five-string triad sweeps on Solo drills. Down then up in one loop.
Down then up · one loop
A → D → G → B → e (D D D D D), then e → B → G → D → A (U U U U U). Ten beats, left to right. When this is even at 50–60, move to lesson 4 · Am.
e|-----------------x---x----------------- B|-------------x-----------x------------- G|---------x-------------------x--------- D|-----x---------------------------x----- A|-x-----------------------------------x- E|--------------------------------------- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 D D D D D U U U U U A → D → G → B → e → e → B → G → D → A
Listen for: five separate notes — not a chord smash. A→D and D→G are where most players rush.
Am fingering · 12th-fret barre (lessons 4–9)
Finger numbers: 1 index, 2 middle, 3 ring, 4 pinky — same as Open chords and Barre · A-shape. The grip below is the standard A-shape Am one octave above open position (barre at fret 12). Lessons use A15 on the A string for the swept C; the index barre still anchors e12 and E12 (barre at fret 12).
Chord grip (reference)
Set the full shape once to learn it, then sweep with one finger at a time — do not squeeze the whole chord while sweeping (notes will bleed). Sources agree: mute or release each string right after it speaks; when one finger covers two strings at the same fret, use a roll, not a held barre (Guitar World · Petrucci; Tom Hess).
| String | Fret | Note | Finger | In sweep |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| E | 12 | E | 1 index | L9 swept E — barre at fret 12 |
| A | 15 | C | 4 pinky | L6 swept C; L8: pick A12 (1), hammer A15 (4) |
| D | 14 | E | 3 ring | Roll or shift from A — lift A as D sounds |
| G | 14 | A | 3 ring | Roll with D14 at fret 14 on lesson 5+ |
| B | 13 | C | 2 middle | |
| e | 12 | E | 1 index | L7–8: pick e12 (1), hammer e17 (4) |
Suggested planting order (down sweep):
- Lesson 4 (G–B–e): 3 → 2 → 1
- Lesson 5 (+D): 3 → 3 → 2 → 1 (ring rolls D14→G14)
- Lesson 6 (+A): 4 (A15) → 3 (D14, release A) → 3 (G14) → 2 → 1
- Lesson 9 (+E): 1 (E12) → 1+4 (A12h15) → 3 (D14) → 3 (G14) → 2 → 1+4 (e12h17)
- Up sweep: reverse the order; same fingers, release after each note.
Legato (lessons 7–8): after the down sweep picks e12 with 1, hammer e17 (A) with 4. Lesson 8 adds the same idea on A: pick A12, hammer A15 (C) with 4 while 1 holds the barre.
Lesson 4 · Simple Am · G → B → e
First fretted sweep: A minor at the 12th-fret barre on the same three strings as lesson 1 — G14 · B13 · e12 (A on G, C on B, E on high e). Barre fret 12; this is the standard Am shape one octave above open position. Left hand: plant each finger as the pick arrives — 3 → 2 → 1 on the down sweep (full map).
Down then up · Am lick
Same pick path as lesson 1: G → B → e (D D D), then e → B → G (U U U) — six beats, one tablature diagram. When it is clean, add the D string in lesson 5.
e|--------12---12-------- B|----13----------13----- G|-14------------------14- D|----------------------- A|----------------------- E|----------------------- LH:3 2 1 1 2 3 RH:D D D U U U A C E E C A
Listen for: three separate chord tones — not a muted strum. If it smears, slow down and fix the left hand before speed.
Lesson 5 · Four-string Am · D → G → B → e
Same 12th-fret barre Am as lesson 4, one string wider — add D14 (E). Same pick path as lesson 2: D → G → B → e, then reverse. Fret map: D14 · G14 · B13 · e12. Fingers (down): 3 → 3 → 2 → 1 (ring rolls D14→G14) (map).
Down then up · Am · four strings
Eight beats, one tablature diagram — same column layout as lesson 2 down-up. When this is even, add the A string in lesson 6.
e|------------12---12------------- B|---------13---------13--------- G|-----14-----------------14----- D|-14--------------------------14 A|------------------------------- E|------------------------------- LH:3 3 2 1 1 2 3 3 RH:D D D D U U U U E A C E E C A E
Listen for: four even chord tones — the new D string often rushes ahead of G.
Lesson 6 · Five-string Am · A → D → G → B · e
Full five-string path from lesson 3, still no low E. Add A15 (C) to the lesson 5 shape: A15 · D14 · G14 · B13 · e12. Matches the 12th-fret Am barre across the middle of the neck. Fingers (down): 4 (A15) → 3 (D14) → 3 (G14) → 2 → 1 — release A as D speaks (map).
Down then up · Am · five strings
Ten beats, one tablature diagram — same column layout as lesson 3 down-up. When this is clean, add legato in lesson 7 (e12h17), then lesson 8 (A12h15).
e|----------------12---12------------------ B|------------13-----------13---------- G|--------14-------------------14-------- D|----14---------------------------14---- A|-15----------------------------------15- E|--------------------------------------- LH:4 3 3 2 1 1 2 3 3 4 RH:D D D D D U U U U U C E A C E E C A E C
Listen for: five separate notes — same rush points as lesson 3 (A→D, D→G).
Lesson 7 · Hammer-on · e12h17 · three strings
Same shape as lesson 4 (G14 · B13 · e12). After the down sweep picks e12 with 1, hammer e17 (A) with 4 — one unpicked note before the up sweep. In TAB, h = hammer-on.
Down · e12h17 · up · Am
Seven beats: three down, e12h17, three up — same column layout as lesson 4. When this is even, run the same e12h17 tag on the four-string shape (D–G–B–e) before lesson 8.
e|--------12---12h17---12-------- B|----13-------------------13---- G|-14-------------------------14- D|------------------------------ A|------------------------------ E|------------------------------ LH:3 2 1 4 1 2 3 RH:D D D h U U U A C E A E C A
Listen for: the hammer must speak as clearly as the swept notes. Related: Solo exercises · hammer / pull · Break rut · sweep jump.
Four strings (practice): use the lesson 5 down-up path (D→G→B→e). Same e12h17 after the down sweep lands on high e — no new left-hand fingers, only a wider pick path.
Lesson 8 · Hammer-ons · A12h15 + e12h17 · five strings
Full five-string Am. Start the down sweep with A12h15 (pick A, hammer C on the A string), then D14 · G14 · B13 · e12, then the same e12h17 from lesson 7. Up sweep reverses the path. Finger map: A12h15 uses 1 + 4; e12h17 uses 1 + 4.
Down · A12h15 · sweep · e12h17 · up
Twelve beats, one tablature diagram — extends lesson 6 columns with hammer marks on A and e.
e|---------------------12---h17--12----------------- B|-----------------13----------------13------------- G|-------------14------------------------14--------- D|---------14--------------------------------14----- A|-12--h15---------------------------------------12- E|-------------------------------------------------- LH:1 4 3 3 2 1 4 1 2 3 3 1 RH:D h D D D D h U U U U U A C E A C E A E C A E A
Listen for: both hammers even; A→D still unhurried after the A-string hammer. When this is clean, add low E in lesson 9.
Lesson 9 · Six-string Am · E → A → D → G → B → e
Full 12th-fret Am barre with the same legato tags as lesson 8: A12h15 and e12h17. Add low E12 (E) at the start of the down sweep. Path: E12 · A12h15 · D14 · G14 · B13 · e12h17, then reverse. Fingers: 1 on E12 and A12, 4 on both hammers, then 3 → 3 → 2 → 1 on the sweep (map).
Down · A12h15 · sweep · e12h17 · up · six strings
Fourteen beats, one tablature diagram — lesson 8 plus low E12 at each end of the path. Same hammer fingerings: 1 + 4 on A and high e.
e|------------------------12---h17--12-------------------- B|--------------------13----------------13---------------- G|----------------14------------------------14------------ D|------------14--------------------------------14-------- A|--------12--h15------------------------------------12---- E|-12--------------------------------------------------12- LH:1 1 4 3 3 2 1 4 1 2 3 3 1 1 RH:D D h D D D D h U U U U U U E A C E A C E A E C A E A E
Listen for: both hammers even after adding low E; E→A still unhurried. When this is clean, move to the Sweep lab for other roots and shapes.
Ready for the Sweep lab: when lesson 9 is even, you have the pick path, planting habit, hammers, and the full Am arpeggio at the 12th fret. The lab builds the same CAGED voicing with A-string and high-e hammers when they fit your string count.
Practice note
How long: 5 minutes per lesson when it is new. Lesson 1: all four three-string groups (G–B–e, then B–G–D, G–D–A, D–A–E). Then (2) four strings open, (3) five strings open, (4–6) Am barre down-up adding one string each, (7) e12h17 on three strings (same tag on four when ready), (8) A12h15 + e hammer on five, (9) full six-string Am with E12, A12h15, and e12h17. Down, up, then down-up on lesson 1; lessons 2–3 are down-up only.
Left hand: open strings in lessons 1–3; barre and release on lessons 4–9 and in the Sweep lab.
Am fret map (12th-fret barre): E12 · A12h15 · D14 · G14 · B13 · e12h17.
Ready for Sweep lab: after lesson 9 is clean, you are set to practice all chord arpeggios there — major and minor triads in any key, 3–6 strings, with tablature built from your choices.
Then: Sweep lab (arpeggios in any key), Scales / CAGED, then Solo drills · Am sweep and Break rut · sweep chain.
Sweep lab Scales CAGED Solo drills · sweep Break rut · sweep chain