How exactly are you supposed to sweep pick on the guitar?

Question

I know that it is like playing arpeggios really fast but how are you supposed to play that fast? Is it like a slow strum across the strings or do you play each string individually? I am pretty advanced with heavy/thrash metal solos but occasionally i will see a part in the tab that says 'sweep picking' above it and i have no idea how to play it. thanks

Answer 1

What is sweep picking? First off, sweep picking is a technique which involves the use of the same picking direction to play three or more notes on adjacent strings.

http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/lessons/g...

Answer 2

Hi Whatsup

Sweeps is too glide the pick in a steady downward movement just like you would pick each string. You finish the sweep  with an upstroke on the small string.

Same for backward sweeps  or back-picking as it is called. You sweep upward and finsih with a downstroke.

Start with a 4 note arpeggio on the first 3 strings and work yourself to 5, 6,7, 8 note sweeps.

Usually, sweeps are always on a downward stroke and it is always in a form of a minor or major chord.

here is a good link of one of the best guitarist around

http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=WH8EbI89xg...