Sweep picking is a technique used to play a guitar in which the pick is used in a sweeping motion in combination with a fret hand technique that is used to play arpeggios quickly. It is considered the technique that separates amateurs from professionals, but it can be a very tricky and complex technique to learn. Learning sweep picking requires discipline, dedication, and tons of practice so if you do not have the time to dedicate to it, you will not be very successful at it. If you are ready to put in the work required, here are a few things you should know.
The whole aim of sweep picking is to play arpeggios quickly but cleanly at the same time. String noise and numerous mistakes while switching strings are definitely the two major things that ruin good sweep picking so those are the two things you have to watch out for and work on until your picking is clean and clear.
There are 3 types of sweeps, 3 string, 5 string and 6 string sweeps. 3 string sweeps are the easiest and should be mastered before attempting the more advanced 5 and 5 string sweeps. When practicing your arpeggios, upstrokes are typically easier to grasp than down strokes so practice those before you move on to down strokes; for down strokes let gravity be your guide. Consistency is often the hardest part of down strokes so lots of practice is the only way to overcome this.
Sequencing is perhaps the self-actualization level of sweep picking. Sequencing may prove difficult even for someone who is proficient in sweep picking because the shapes and picking required in sequencing can be very awkward. Many guitarists get through life without ever needing to learn sequencing however, so if you do not have the time or dedication to master it; it is ok to leave it alone.
If you find that you are having problems with your sweep picking do not give up, each person learns at a different pace and it is said that it takes up to 6 months to perfect a 5 string sweep. However, there are a few things that you should look out to make your sweep picking easier; here are a few of them.
Practice at your own pace; you would be surprised at how many people cannot grasp the sweep picking technique because they are focusing on speed rather than cleanness. Speed will come when you are comfortable with the technique so for now forget about speed and focus on getting the sound right.
Another problem to look out for is the muting of the strings; your arpeggios will not be clean and clear unless one note is sounding at a time so you need to mute all other strings as you play each one. To do this you can use the palm of your hand to mute the string you are not currently playing or use the thumb of your picking hand to mute the other strings.