Alternate Picking

The most practical way to play the two-note-per-string patterns we have just learned is by using a technique known as alternate picking.

This simply means alternating between up and down strokes, as opposed to using all up strokes or all down strokes. Generally speaking, you should start with a downstroke when playing from low to high (thickest to thinnest string), and start with an upstroke when playing from high to low (thinnest to thickest string).

This may seem a little bit awkward at first, but this technique will actually half the amount of work (movement) that your picking hand has to do to play the scale.

Alternate Picking / Pentatonic Exercises

These exercises are from the A Minor Pentatonic scale.

If you play this one from the E Minor Scale, you might notice that is very similar to the beginning of Ace Frehley's solo in "Love Gun".