Advanced Guitar Picking Techniques

Economy picking fuses alternate picking with sweep picking for efficiency. Strum in one direction over multiple strings when changing strings after hitting a note. It's like 'sweeping' across strings, reducing effort and increasing picking speed.

Hybrid picking combines pick and fingers to play non-adjacent strings. Use a pick for lower strings and fingers for higher ones. This allows for speed and versatility, commonly used in country and rock genres for intricate licks.

Rather than a back-and-forth motion, circular picking involves a small circular motion. This technique allows for a smooth, fluid sound and can be used to play with greater speed and dynamism once mastered.

String skipping involves jumping over strings to reach non-adjacent ones. This requires precise hand-eye coordination and can add complexity to solos. Players can expand their melodic range considerably with this technique.

Fingerstyle picking allows for simultaneous multiple string playing, creating a richer and more harmonic sound palette. It's essential for classical and flamenco styles and offers a distinct tonal character in modern genres.

Tapping uses fingers on the fretting hand to 'tap' notes on the fretboard, allowing for fast and fluid passages. This can be done with both hands, and when combined with picking, creates complex and impressive soundscapes.

Sweep picking entails 'sweeping' the pick across the strings while finger rolling dampens unnecessary string noise. It's a staple in shred and metal genres. Mastery of this technique allows for arpeggios to be played with incredible speed and fluidity.