Alternate picking is a guitar-playing technique where you hit the strings in an upward (V) and downward (п) direction alternately.

Alternate Picking

It is the most commonly used technique, as it’s a great way to stay in time and play fast passages. It can be quite tricky to fully master, but it’s more efficient than solely downpicking. Also, it saves your playing arm from tiring out.Notable guitarists who prefer an alternate picking technique – even when an alternative technique would be more efficient – are Shawn Lane, Paul Gilbert, Steve Morse, and John Petrucci.