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Quick technique question on Sweet Child O Mine

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(@yashicamat)
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Joined: 17 years ago
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Topic starter  

I know this song has been done to death, but just a quickie about playing technique on the intro riff:

I have always played every note with a downstroke, but I've recently ventured into alternate picking and am making an effort to practice it with most of the stuff I play, but it doesn't seem to be working all that well (yet?) with this riff. Is it considered "normal" to play this riff with AP or just with downstrokes?

Thanks. :)

Rob

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 Taso
(@taso)
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Because of all the changes in the strings you are picking, this is one example in which I don't recommend alternate picking. I usually play it with downstrokes as well, and find it flows just fine this way.

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(@falcon1)
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Joined: 18 years ago
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I play it with all downstrokes as well...there doesnt really seem to be an advantage to using alternate picking in it.


   
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(@yashicamat)
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Topic starter  

Thanks for the replies! Yeah I had suspected this was the case. :)

Rob

If something's not worth doing it's worth forgetting about.
Epiphone Les Paul Std - Yamaha Pacifica 112XJ - Takamine EG340SC - Taylor Baby - Grainger Hammerhead 50 - Grainger Valve Five
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(@daniel-lioneye)
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I am learning the intro too, and i play it with only downstrokes aswell. I can play it at about 3/4 speed without messing up, but at full speed is where i run into trouble(need more practice at it).

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(@yashicamat)
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Topic starter  

It will come. Practice makes perfect as they say, I now deliberately play faster than normal speed as a speed/accuracy exercise! I've just always played it with downstrokes so wanted to check that I was playing it correctly by doing so!

Rob

If something's not worth doing it's worth forgetting about.
Epiphone Les Paul Std - Yamaha Pacifica 112XJ - Takamine EG340SC - Taylor Baby - Grainger Hammerhead 50 - Grainger Valve Five
http://www.youtube.com/yashicamatonline


   
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(@trguitar)
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OK, maybe it's because I've been playing 30 years and I'm that good, or I just suck. :lol: I never even think up stroke or down stroke. My hands just do what feels right. The most efficient way. Hold on a sec..... yup .. all down strokes on Sweet Child. :wink:

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(@smokindog)
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OK, maybe it's because I've been playing 30 years and I'm that good, or I just suck. :lol: I never even think up stroke or down stroke. My hands just do what feels right. The most efficient way. Hold on a sec..... yup .. all down strokes on Sweet Child. :wink:
:lol: :lol: :lol:

Got to agree with TR :D ( I suck) :P

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 cnev
(@cnev)
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don't have my guitar in front of me but I thought I used alternate picking for this or at least hybrid. I don't think I ever did this with all downstrokes but I could be wrong.

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(@nirvgas)
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I'm just learned the intro a week ago, and it just seems natural to use alternate picking. With all of the string skipping, it just seems like the most efficient way to me. Could just be a matter of preference though

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(@guitarist)
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No No No No!!! I cant believe the bad information being given here. The best way to play the intro is to use strict alternate picking. It is a lot more faster and smooth when playing this piece, also consider the intro is played with eigth notes which are best played with alternate picking. Playing all downstrokes will slow you down and not be so smooth with all the string skipping. Anyway here is a link which will help you out even more http://www.guitarprinciples.com/Guitar_Technique/Rock_Songs/Sweet_Child/Sweet_ChilOf_Mine.htm


   
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(@taylorr)
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When I learned the intro a few years ago I learned it as a practice for alternate picking. I alternate pick it. Try it, its good practice.

aka Izabella


   
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 cnev
(@cnev)
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Yea I went back and tried it last night with my guitar and alternate picking is the way. As a few other people mentioned with all the string skipping it lends itself to alternate picking. It would seem unusually difficult to play with all downstrokes.

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(@scrtchy)
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I'm another vote for alterate picking this.

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(@ibanezplayer86)
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i am in no mean a guns and roses fans, but upon playing (and learing just now)... its alternate picking for me - in fact i see downstrokes as way more difficult approach to play something like this... (ie. number of notes permits strict alternate picking to occur...)


   
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