Alternate picking is a guitar picking technique characterized by a strict alternation between downstrokes and upstrokes, often starting on a downstroke.

The goal is to pick the strings as efficiently as possible in order to play cleanly and quickly. To practice alternate picking, try starting with a simple scale and focus on using a consistent motion, picking each note with a downstroke and then an upstroke. As you become more comfortable with the technique, you can gradually increase the speed and complexity of the material you are playing.