Downstroke
A pick stroke that drives the pick downwards across the string, from the low strings towards the floor.
Downstrokes carry more weight than upstrokes because the pick digs in against the string and pushes it towards the body, which adds low end, volume and a slightly slower attack. Most rhythm guitar is built on them, and patterns that use them exclusively, such as the chugging riffs of hard rock and metal, sound even and relentless precisely because every stroke is identical. The cost is speed, since the hand has to reset between each stroke, which is why fast lead lines usually alternate.
Example: A palm-muted metal riff played in strict downstrokes has a heavier, more mechanical pulse than the same riff played with alternating strokes.
See also
Related
- PageUpstroke
- PageAlternate picking
- PagePalm mute
- PageAccent
- PageAction height
- PageAmp modeler
- PageAaron Dessner
- PageAce Frehley