Topmusicanswers
Sweeping is the opposite of alternate fast picking: when trying to go fast in alternate picking, you want to minimize the space between each pick stroke (you're picking just around the string). In sweep picking, though, you're picking until your pick touches the next adjacent string, so you're going to pick wider.
Is sweep picking hard?
Whatever it is, one thing is certain: sweep picking isn't easy to learn—but not for the reasons you might think. The truth is, on the surface, sweep picking is no more difficult than any other technique. ... You're starting to feel a little impatient, but the skill is of sweep picking is worth the effort. You try again.
Is sweep picking necessary?
It's really not "necessary" for any genre, though its most prevalent in metal, and in a modern context its very common. Sweep picking is a good trick to have under your belt, but other than using it to play quick, flashy arpeggios it isn't really all that useful.
How do you sweep pick for beginners?
Do down strokes from the G string to the high E string, and then turn around and do upstrokes back up again. You should do one long, smooth stroke to sweep, and not lots of separate motions. It's ONE smooth movement across lots of strings. Holding your pick with a fairly relaxed grip will help you to sweep smoothly.
