What is downpicking?
Definition
Downpicking means playing every note with a downstroke, even when the rhythm is fast enough that you could alternate down and up.
Why guitarists use it
Every hit has the same attack and your palm mute can stay planted, so riffs sound tighter and more aggressive. That's why so many classic thrash rhythm parts are downpicked. The catch is stamina: fast downpicking tires your forearm quickly if your stroke is too big.
Quick tips
- Keep the stroke small. The pick only needs to get past the string.
- Build up the number of bars at one tempo before speeding up.
- Some gallop riffs mix in an upstroke on purpose, and that's fine.
The full lesson, with an endurance exercise: downpicking endurance for metal rhythm.