How do you play this riff (ITPOE pt.1)

[Sax]

JP @ 3:06-3:08

E|-17-12----------------------------------------------------|
B|-------15-13-------------------------------13-12--13--12-|
G|----- -------14-12----------------------14----------------|
D|-------------------14----------------14-------------------|
A|----------------------15-12-12-12h15---------------------|
E|-----------------------------------------------------------|

Right now I alternate pick the descending part down to 12th fret A string, but I'm trying to sweep pick back up to 13th fret B string, and am having a lot of difficulty.  Is there a better way, technique wise, or does my sweep picking just need work?

[Fiery Winds]

JP @ 3:06-3:08

E|-17-12----------------------------------------------------|
B|-------15-13-------------------------------13-12--13--12-|
G|----- -------14-12----------------------14----------------|
D|-------------------14----------------14-------------------|
A|----------------------15-12-12-12h15---------------------|
E|-----------------------------------------------------------|

Right now I alternate pick the descending part down to 12th fret A string, but I'm trying to sweep pick back up to 13th fret B string, and am having a lot of difficulty.  Is there a better way, technique wise, or does my sweep picking just need work?

Sweeping would be the proper way to play it, but if you can do it just as smoothly by alternate picking, it's really just a preference.  For example, TGP arpeggios at the beginning "should" be done using sweep picking, but JP alternate picking.  So in the end, there is usually a generally accepted way of doing things, but it really boils down to what works for you. 

[ddtonfire]

I'd alternate pick or do pull offs on the descent and sweep the ascent.

[TimmyHiggy]

After a few plays, i found this was the best picking pattern:

E|-17-12----------------------------------------------------|
B|-------15-13-------------------------------13-12--13--12-|
G|----- -------14-12----------------------14----------------|
D|-------------------14----------------14-------------------|
A|----------------------15-12-12-12h15---------------------|
E|-----------------------------------------------------------|
    d   u   d  u   d   u  u   u   d   u   u   d d  d    u   d    u     d   

Deviations from alternate picking: descending part economy picked at the end, the A's are d u u (d d u would also do the same job here) so you can start the sweep on the 15, ignoring the hammer in order to make the sweep a bit easier to do smoothly.

[Bakerman]

There's actually an open A in that lick. This is the easiest picking pattern for me:

Code: [Select]

E|-17-12------------------------------------------
B|-------15-13------------------------------13-12-
G|-------------14-12---------------------14-------
D|-------------------14---------------14----------
A|----------------------15-12-0h12h15-------------
E|------------------------------------------------
   D  U  D  U  D  U  D  U  D  U       D  D  D  U