Two different techniques, two different sounds
Remember when you started playing guitar? You only used downpicking because you were slow and alternate picking was hard, right?. Once you developed speed you learned how to play alternate picking. But what if I told you downpicking is actually harder than alternate picking.
But first let see some pros and cons between these two major guitar techniques.
Downpicking:
Pros:
- Is your first and most natural technique.
- Palm mute's best friend
- Is louder, heavier and more aggressive
Cons:
- Really hard to master at higher tempos(160+ bpm)
- Require MORE effort than alternate picking.
- Pain in the wrist and forearm is common.
Alternate picking:
Pros:
- At higher tempos is easier(160+ bpm).
- Require less effort.
- Solo's best friend
Cons:
- It doesn't sound powerful like downpicking.
As you can see alternate picking is easier and require less effort so what's the point of downpicking?. THE SOUND.
Downpicking sounds very powerful, especially in rock and metal.
I recommend using downpicking for rhythm guitar and alternate picking for lead guitar(solos and stuff) but you decide how to play.
Pro tip: In alternate picking you only need to move your wrist, in downpicking move your arm too for an extra speed boost. Play songs like blackened, creeping death, master of puppets, alison hell, blitzkrieg bop, hangar 18 to improve your technique.
Important: If your muscles burn rest for a while or change to alternate picking.
