How do I sweep pick on guitar?

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

• 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:

  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=WH8EbI89xgE