Au Natural! Let it fly! 

I know Devin sometimes picks it a certain way to set up for the next measure or chord change, but there are no hard and fast rules.

I think that if there are two back to back down or up strokes it is probably because there are two quarter notes in a row. Up down would likely be eight or sixteenth notes. It is probably a timing thing.

That's a really good question. I find it awkward sometimes, too, and I'll just do what works for me. But then I'm not playing real fast and it probably makes more of a difference then. 

I don’t think it would break Devins heart if you pick it like you feel it. I think he puts the pick direction in the lesson for people like me who have to have it in writing, on paper,  in black ink. I’m pretty OCD about some things. 

@rinny51 I think you're right. I remember in one lesson, Devin mentions that for picking, even if he's not striking the string, he still goes back and forth and mimics the movement. Guess it's just going to take some time getting used to, but I do think it's worth it for keeping good time and setting up for the next lick/chord change. Thanks all for the great responses!

I agree. I'm also trying to get used to the 'up-down' movement even when I'm not hitting the strings. It needs some practice.

Another reason which I've not seen to be mentioned yet is that the direction of your picking is also resulting in a different sound. As far as I understand: The pick on the whole tell is normally the 'down' pick while the 'up' pick would be on the halves. 

All of the above! Lol

I have been working through this since posting here, and I came across an explanation of how important counting time is and how it corresponds to pick direction. Basically, he (Lessons with Marcel on YouTube) said that typically when alternate picking, it's good practice to pick down on the "number" and up on the "and". For example (1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and) corresponding to (down up down up down up down up). I went back to a couple of Devin's lessons for songs/licks and paid close attention to the timing and pick directions, and his tabs seem to line up exactly to that logic. I'm sure this is basic stuff for a lot of you who've been practicing a while, but this is revolutionary (and humbling, lol) stuff for me! Definitely still going slow, but I think it'll be worth it down the line to have my picking hand in check. Hope this helps anybody who's still thinking about this.

At this point in my life I just do what's fun and don't stress over such things anymore. It's not like I'm going to be playing in front of an audience any time soon, or ever. 

In the beginning I tended to worry about pick direction but now I just do what's comfortable and sounds okay to me. Like I said above, if you want to get really, really fast it makes a difference. 

Posted by: @loganmuir

Hi All, about a month into my subscription to this site. I'm learning so much and having fun, so thanks to Devin for all the hard work and content. 

I would love anybody's input on how key following pick direction (up/down) in each lesson is? I am not a novice guitar player, but this is the first time I've really honed in on bluegrass. I find that there are times when certain pick directions for licks feel unnatural, for example: two upstrokes while going down the strings. I've been keeping my pace slow and am actively working to make sure I am following the pick directions listed in the tabs, as I'm sure they are tabbed that way for good reason. However, I still feel there are times where certain movements flow better when playing a lick.

In short, how essential is it to follow exact pick directions on the tabs? Specifically as I increase speed, should I go with what feels natural in the moment or stay true to the specified directions?

- Logan

Stay true if you want to build speed.