left and right hand synchronization with sweep picking

[Electric Storm]

I'm pretty new to this technique, and have been going to websites for examples, as well as watching on YOutube. I've been practicing right hand sweeping alone, with muted strings, and then left hand fingerings. I'm having more trouble with the left hand not being quick enough as my sweeping hand. I know the point is to play arpeggios, which I know quite well, but it's just the synchronization that has me frustrated. Is it normal for the left hand to not move as fast, and how do I get them to act as one?
Also, I'd like to know if sweep picking scales(e.g. 3 notes per string) is commonly used as much as arpeggios. Thanks.

[buddastrat]

Practice SLOW for a long time. Also very important for left hand muting as well right. Practice rest strokes. Also, sweep picking can be used for much more than arpeggios. I'd start with smaller 2-3 strings patterns, scales and arpeggios type stuff. Then get muting and syncronization down, then go to 4 strings, and so on. Don't start off with too much.

[adaytonguitarist]

Like most speed playing techniques, I would imagine months [if not years] of slow speed practice.
Learning the technique slow and correct and then speeding it up.
http://www.insaneguitar.com/mc/sweeping.html

[Electric Storm]

Like most speed playing techniques, I would imagine months [if not years] of slow speed practice.
Learning the technique slow and correct and then speeding it up.
http://www.insaneguitar.com/mc/sweeping.html

You must have read my mind.:D That's the one website I bookmarked today. I also was on a website which breaks down Yngwie's pieces and scrutinizes sweep picking in his songs. But I plan on studying the insane guitar.com page first.

[ivers]

I'll add to the good advice about slowing down and starting with patterns over just a few strings, with a suggestion about practicing legato in time.

Just set your metronome, and try to hammer (no pulloffs) with your left hand in correct subdivisions, making every note come out distinctly.

This is something I read Allan Holdsworth did, and it made more and more sense to me, so I started doing it even though I'm no legato based player. It seems to really help improve articulation and timing also for techniques where I pick every note.

[Electric Storm]

Alright, let me ask what are your favorite chords for sweep arpeggios? I've been playing with regular major, minor, and minor sevenths. I'd imagine chords with minor thirds are ideal for shred/metal, but what others do you play?

[Ethn Hayabusa]

Anything and everything is fun. I prefer to utilize more sevenths and extensions. I don't really do a lot of prolonged arpeggios in my playing, if we are talking about the big 2-3 octave fast arpeggios. I tend to just use those to get to a different register, or to start or end a phrase.

[Seraphine]

Do scales / modes and string skipping.... The right / left hand application should be natural, really. stop separating them?

[GtrWiz]

I've found it really helpful to practice the same patterns with alternate picking before sweeping. Not sure why though...

[MatthiasYoung]

It's perfectly normal for the left hand to be slower. There tends to be more motion involved than in the right hand. But also make sure that your left hand isn't moving too much. If you practice only 3 or 4 string patterns, then you're most likely not having to reuse a finger (depending on the pattern). This means that you can simply relax it after playing a note rather than use energy to release it from a string.

While practicing slowly is the way to begin, slow tempos must be practiced with a quick motion. If you do not use "fast" technique for slow tempos, then you can easily fall into the trap of using poor technique at a slow tempo and then have difficulty when speeding up.

But how do you know how to use "fast" technique if you can't play fast? Note preparation is key. Work to eliminate the slow motion between notes. Plant your pick quickly and prepare your left hand for the next note as you wait for the metronome.

Yes, use your metronome!!!