When doing strict alternate picking, is it OK to play a downstroke twice in order to start a new phrase on a downstroke?

Question

There are a lot of advocates of absolutely strict alternate picking, like Chris Thile. I've been practicing that for a couple of weeks now, and I'm at the point where I can play just about anything without slipping into economy picking by accident. There's one thing I keep getting stuck on, though: when I start a new phrase, I want to start with a downstroke, even if I just played a downstroke. It feels so much more natural, particularly if it's been more than a measure since the last phrase; but it takes away from the big benefit of alternate picking, which is that I always know what stroke to do next.

So, do hardcore alternate pickers actually alternate through the whole song? Like, what if you end a phrase on a downstroke and your next phrase is 30 seconds later, at the beginning of a verse? Where's the limit?

I know each instrument has its own norms about picking. I play guitar, but I'd be interested to hear what mando players and others do as well.

Thanks in advance!

Answer 1

No, once you have a significant rest you don't need to alternate, and I'd still think of it as "strict alternate picking".

Note: I tend to think of alternate picking as down on the beats and up on the 8th notes between beats (or the same idea with respect to 8th and 16ths); not necessarily that every string attack come from an alternate direction. If the next phrase starts on the "and" of a beat, then strict alternate picking would mean to pick upwards on that note.

Answer 2

When doing strict alternate picking, is it OK to play a downstroke twice in order to start a new phrase on a downstroke?

Absolutely yes, if this is what you feel, this is fine. You have to play your way. If your way is zelously strict alternate-picking then feel free to do that instead, but right-hand technique is not a religious doctrine.

It feels so much more natural...

Exactly! You can train yourself into finding strict alternate-picking more natural if that's your bag, but this is for you to decide. Do what you feel is right. Right-hand technique is not a religious doctrine.

do hardcore alternate pickers actually alternate through the whole song?

Some do, some don't.

I imagine Chris Thile espouses this technique because it works for him, if it works for you too then great. If you want to learn this technique go for it. If you find it more natural/expressive/fun to slip in the occasional economy-pick then that's great too because right-hand technique is not a religious doctrine.

Where's the limit?

Wherever you choose.

Answer 3

Alternate picking should only be utilized of for the duration of 1 phrase. The first note of the next phrase should then be picked in a manner that best serves the phrase itself...be it an upstroke or downstroke.