Tremolo Picking

What is Tremolo Picking?

Tremolo picking is simply picking a note in an alternate strumming pattern at an extremely rapid rate. It is a technique that most often appears in classical and heavy metal music. Tremolo picking is almost always applied to notes only -- not chords.


How It Works

Because of the speed that is required, tremolo picking can be more difficult than it seems. Many guitarists find it difficult to maintain an alternate picking pattern at a steady rhythm and high speed. To make the process easier, many guitarists pin the pinky finger of their rhythm hand down on the body of the guitar. By establishing this finger as an anchor, maintaining a steady, accurate rhythm becomes noticeably easier.

The video clips below shows tremolo picking in action.



Try tremolo picking on your own. Once you are comfortable with it, try playing a series of notes and move them down the fretboard so that you are playing higher and higher notes. This is a common way of employing tremolo picking in a musical piece.

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