Sweep Picking as a Tool

Go to Lesson

Instructor: Steve Hubbard Level: Intermediate Topic: Technique Style: Any Style

Excerpt: Hi folks! The main goal behind this tutorial, is to give you a number of sweep related licks that may be a bit less typical, to what you would normally play. If you have been using this technique for years, and years, you probably have developed a solid grasp in applying sweep picking to your improvisation. As mentioned in the video, many players tend to i...

Media Length: 3:20

Go to Lesson

Instructor: Steve Hubbard Level: Intermediate Topic: Technique Style: Fusion

Excerpt: The first lick is very simple. A setup lick, to connect to a run in minor pentatonic, harmonic minor, etc. If you look at the pick strokes, you'll notice that I use all down strokes. The first four notes are swept, with the last note being a regular stroke. This may, or may not seem awkward to you, though I commonly use this picking pattern. Key of C minor...

Media Length: 0:35

Go to Lesson

Instructor: Steve Hubbard Level: Intermediate Topic: Technique Style: Blues

Excerpt: This next lick falls into the key of C major, and is also very simple. I have chosen to sweep the first two notes, and 'hybrid pick' the third note. This is purely for tonal reasons, and can just as easily be played with three down strokes. I won't say that this lick is stolen, but I will acknowledge that the great Guthrie Govan sometimes uses it! Once you...

Media Length: 0:36

Go to Lesson

Instructor: Steve Hubbard Level: Advanced Topic: Technique Style: Fusion

Excerpt: This example uses legato, with sweep picking at the end. The lick uses a E7 arpeggio, and is heavily inspired by Greg Howe.

Media Length: 0:36

Go to Lesson

Instructor: Steve Hubbard Level: Advanced Topic: Technique Style: Fusion

Excerpt: Now we're into the realm of licks that require a bit more technical skill. Try your best to keep this clean, and accurate! Keep in mind that you can use the same pattern, with a number of different arpeggios and shapes. For this example, I've chosen F minor. I've been using this run a lot lately - put on a backing track, and try add in this lick to your imp...

Media Length: 0:18

Go to Lesson

Instructor: Steve Hubbard Level: Advanced Topic: Technique Style: Fusion

Excerpt: This example is inspired by a commonly played Zakk Wylde lick. For years, I had been playing this lick using alternate picking, and one day discovered that it is much easier for me to play, if swept! As in some of the other examples, legato is used. Key of E minor.

Media Length: 0:26

Go to Lesson

Instructor: Steve Hubbard Level: Advanced Topic: Technique Style: Fusion

Excerpt: This example is more of a textural lick, at least, when played in repetition. I like to use hybrid picking for the G# note on the 9th fret of the B string, but feel free to use sweeping / legato, or whatever feels best. Works well over C# dominant 7 Influence: Greg Howe  

Media Length: 0:29

Go to Lesson

Instructor: Steve Hubbard Level: Advanced Topic: Technique Style: Rock

Excerpt: For the final example, we have a textural diminished arpeggio run! Now, you may be thinking.. Doesn't this go against the whole focus of this tutorial? Well, somewhat.. but like I said, there is nothing wrong with 'sweep runs.' I'm mainly trying to highlight some different situations where we can use sweep picking. Since this is meant to be 'textural,' don'...

Media Length: 0:28