Picking Style

A picking style is a strategy for choosing which motions to use and when to use them.

At its simplest, your picking technique consists of the motions you know, and your approach for combining them to play different kinds of phrases. But with so many possible motion combinations available, how would you know which ones to use?

The good news is that there are a handful of basic approaches for choosing and mixing different picking motions, and these simple strategies are consistent across different styles of music, and even different plucked instruments like guitar and mandolin. Let’s take a look at how they work.

Common Picking Styles

Single Escape Picking

A straightforward style capitalizing on the simplest alternate picking motions you can make

Single Escape Plus Swiping

Harnessing the power of swiping to expand single escape capabilities

Primary Plus Secondary Motion

Assisting the primary motion with an additional motion

Double Escape Picking

The picking style of DBX motion

USX Economy

USX motion and downstroke sweeping join forces

USX and Downpicking

A powerful boost to a core escape style

Gypsy Picking

Django's style combines universal ingredients

Thumb Picking

A USX picking style... without a pick

PreviousPrimary Motion Reference Return toCracking The Code Reference Library