It just depends on what I'm playing. I definitely play a lot faster if I play in more of a legato style, and I learn how to play lead from learning pantera soloes mostly, and Dime was the master of legato lines. But, sometimes for the effect I'll alternate pick.

Haha I hardly use legato at all...I've been used to alternate for so long it's just second nature now...no matter what the speed. It's true that they have different sounds, but it seems like legato is more for the people who have trouble getting the two hands in sync or for those who just can't pick that fast.

Well, its certainly easier to use legato and bypass synching up your hands, but I personally don't have a problem with that.

Yea same here...I always attack everything head on like new songs and stuff...I hate playing at a slow speed and building up...I'd rather play at exact speed and make a few mistakes, you know, find out where I need work and just keep going at it. I'm very impatient haha.

yeah, I really dig on coming up with shit that I really can't play and just woodshedding it until I get it right. That's how I've improved is coming up with stuff in my head and figuring out how to make it fit on the guitar

I haven't really noticed. I know I used to treat modes the legato way because it was easier, but now I also use a lot of alternate picking, because my legato playing is weak.

Yea attacking something head on is the only way I can really improve...I'm too impatient to do the whole start slow and build up thing...plus it's boring, and nothing can match the feeling of finally getting something right at the correct speed in a few tries.

alternate picking, legato phrases, hybrid picking?

learn it all.

i always think about wether i want a lick to stomp into its backup music or if i want it to kind of slide in like it it supposed to be there... legato to slide right in, pickin' every note to stomp in like i own the place.... depends on the situation, i use both often.

To me both techniques or all techs should be studied and used.Picking has a stacato feel and legato is smoother but both should be used along with other techs in order to get a more 'varied" sound.I have noticed that some guitar players play one technique more then another in their "style" like Michael Angelo, Chris Impelliteri, Malmsteen, Al Di meola, Joe Stump, more picking, Satriani, Vai, Ron Thal more legato etc.. Frank Gambale, Marshall Harrison, Economy/sweep picking then there are those that have perfect command of just about all of all the techs if not all of them like Michael Romeo, Rusty cooley, Ilan Ashkenazi, Buckethead, John Pettruci, Guthrie Govan Mattius,
to name a few.

It really depends on what I'm playing. Some songs sound better using alternate picking and some sound better with legato. I rarely use hybrid picking, though.