Jam Track 24 - Easy Pentatonic Lead Guitar

Alternate picking (down-up-down-up repeated) can potentially double your picking speed by reducing hand movement.

We'll apply this technique to a simple E minor pentatonic lead line at the 14th and 12th frets, inspired by indie rock bands like We Are Scientists.

I’ll show you how to hold the pick for this technique which puts the pick at a slight angle to glide across strings rather than catching against them.

Main Learning Points

• Why pick angle matters: gliding across strings versus catching against them

• Starting at the higher octave (14th fret) of E minor pentatonic shape one

• How alternate picking enables faster playing than all downstrokes

• Small motion picking: letting the guitar and amp do the work

• Connect playing style to indie rock riffs from the 2000s for practical application

This 'Indie' inspired jam track from great band such us 'We Are Scientists' allows us to home in on Alternate Picking technique on a lead riff further up the neck.

All techniques you'll call upon later for any lead guitar work!