How do you sweep pick on guitar?

Hey man, don't get discouraged. I've been playing guitar for 16 years and never learned sweep picking, then decided to start it last year. I was able to do 3 string sweeps, but not 5 string. It's been a long process, and if I had more time in the day to practice I would be a lot better, but you're right, you just need a lot more practice. I was in the same boat, where I was picking each note. I was able to alt. pick faster than my sweeps. So start with some 3 string sweeps, Then move to 4. Then move to 5. A lot of sweeps are based off arpeggios. p e---19--15------15--| B-------------17-------| G-----------------------| D-----------------------|- A-----------------------|- E-----------------------| Just keep playing that over and over. You play it by pulling off the 19th fret to the 15th. You actually want to start with an up pick, and down pick the 17th and 15th fret. p e---19--15-----------------15--| B-------------17------17--------| G-----------------16 ------------| D----------------------------------| A----------------------------------| E----------------------------------| e|--19-15------------------15-19-|- B|---------17-----------17---------| G|------------16----16------------|- D|----------------17--------------| A|--------------------------------|- E|-------------------------------| You'll notice it's the same thing, with the addition of the G string in the 2nd fig. and another addition with the D string in the 3rd fig. (Remember these patterns, they can be played starting on any fret). e|--19-15--------------15-19-| B|-------17----------17------| G|---------16------16--------| D|-----------17--17----------| A|-------------19-------------| E|----------------------------| Then you come to the 5 string sweep. Start out with the easier ones, then build up. You'll want to be fast with all types of sweeps, including more complex versions of these.

If you're resting your pick on the next string, then you're not doing a single fluid motion! Just think of it like slow motion strumming. Strum all the strings, then start slowing that motion down. Have you ever slowly strummed a chord? Letting the notes ring out individually? Not picking them but just... strumming REALLY slow? That's pretty much the motion for sweep picking. Also, it's in the wrist, not the elbow. If you're picking by bending your elbow you're doing it wrong.

You have the right idea. The best thing to do is when you practice try to keep your sweeps as small as possible to avoid hitting the other strings. Another thing is try to keep your wrist loose, but not loose enough to be uncontrolled. Practice makes perfect.. and i beleive you will get it!

If you're resting your pick on the next string, then you're not doing a single fluid motion! Just think of it like slow motion strumming. Strum all the strings, then start slowing that motion down. Have you ever slowly strummed a chord? Letting the notes ring out individually? Not picking them but just... strumming REALLY slow? That's pretty much the motion for sweep picking. Also, it's in the wrist, not the elbow. If you're picking by bending your elbow you're doing it wrong.

You have the right idea. The best thing to do is when you practice try to keep your sweeps as small as possible to avoid hitting the other strings. Another thing is try to keep your wrist loose, but not loose enough to be uncontrolled. Practice makes perfect.. and i beleive you will get it!