Practice/Build control
Intermediate 8 minutes Guided lesson

String-crossing grid

Cross non-adjacent courses while the alternate-picking motion stays uninterrupted.

Today's tempo ladder
Slow60BPMWorking70BPMGoal120BPM
Loop this measure

Wide-crossing eighth-note loop

Alternate between low and high courses while keeping an even down-up sequence.

Target120 BPM
1 measure · repeats
Explanation

What this develops

String crossing becomes reliable when the picking motion stays the same size regardless of destination. This pattern alternates between lower and higher courses to expose extra movement.

Let the forearm make tiny positioning adjustments while the wrist continues the down-up stroke.

Coach's tip

Think “through, travel, through”: finish the stroke, move to the next course, then play.

Practice plan

Take it to the instrument

  1. 1

    Shadow-pick the pattern above the strings.

  2. 2

    Loop at 70 BPM and listen for accidental neighboring strings.

  3. 3

    Repeat with the first note starting on an upstroke.

Finish this lesson

Mark it complete when you can play three relaxed, clean loops.