Economy Picking For Pentatonic Licks

Technique: Economy Picking For Electric Guitar

"Smooth, effortless-sounding fast picking is a goal for many guitar players. One of the most effective ways of achieving this oft-elusive aim is by using economy picking, which minimises changes in pick direction, helping to make your solos and licks sound slick and articulate. It's not an easy technique to grasp, but well worth perfecting if you want to really advance your playing.

Using economy picking for pentatonic licks allows you to add some fire to solos in all kind of musical situations. Here, Elixir® Strings artist Micky Crystal breaks down a great-sounding bluesy lick into sizeable chunks, highlighting the pick direction for each note so you can work it up to speed and get shredding."

Skill Level: Intermediate Electric Guitar

I use Elixir Optiweb® Strings everywhere I go, from the stage, studio to the practice room. They sound amazing, feel great and last a long time. Elixir Strings are the best!Micky Crystal

Strings Played

Electric Nickel Plated Steel with OPTIWEB® Coating, Super Light Gauge

  •
    Electric Nickel Plated Steel with OPTIWEB Coating
    Shop now

MORE ELECTRIC GUITAR TIPS & TRICKS

  • How to Add Bends, Slides and Vibrato for Electric Guitar

    Add more character to your solos with these classic electric guitar techniques. Learn the lick that has them all – bends, slides and vibrato.

    Watch Now

  • How Your Guitar Pick Can Change Your Sound

    Los Angeles session guitarist, songwriter, teacher and endorsing artist, Tom Strahle, demos how something as simple and inexpensive as a guitar pick can have a big impact on your playing.

    Watch Now

  • How to Play Pinch Harmonics on Electric Guitar

    Seasoned guitarist Marc Seal demonstrates how to perform pinched harmonics so you can make your electric guitar solos squeal and scream!

    Watch Now

Residents of some states have the right to opt-out of the “sharing” or “selling” of their personal information. Gore does not "sell" the personal information of website users. Gore may "share" the personal information of website users, as standard advertising practice meant to offer you a more personalized service.

If you want to opt-out from Gore “sharing” your personal information, click on Opt-Out of Sharing to turn off the targeting cookies that we share with our advertising partners in order to provide you with personalized information. Disabling sharing will stop the use of cookies to targeted advertising but you may still see generic Gore ads.

Please note that your exercising of the rights outlined will have no adverse effect on the price and quality of our goods or services.

Opt-Out of Sharing

You Have Successfully Opted Out of the Sharing of Your Personal Information

Please note that if you clear your cookies and then use another device or browser, etc. your opt-out status is not transferred to the new device or browser.