Guitar Speed Exercises For Everyone

By Jerry Scotchman


Whether you want to learn how to play the guitar so you can strum a few songs for your own enjoyment of rock out on stage, you are not likely to do either unless you practice. Lots of practice is the key to learning and to getting better. And getting better means getting faster. There are no magic potions or self-help books that will get you where you need to be. You will not get faster over night either. You are going to need to practice regularly and consistently. To that end, using some or all of these guitar speed exercises as your foundation would be a wise thing to do.

As you begin to develop a practice routine, consider the equipment you use. One central piece of equipment you should own is a metronome. These are devices that help you keep a steady beat and various beats per minute. A metronome should be owned by you, so if you do not own on take the time to get one. They are truly invaluable as you effort to learn the guitar.

Begin this first exercise by setting your metronome to a comfortable speed and is right for you. Using the double-pick method, play the top string at the first, second, third, and fourth fret. Then move down to the next string and do it again. Then the next and next, and when you finish on the bottom string come back up. Once this is completed, increase the speed of the metronome and do it again and again until you have gone as fast as you can go. Finish by performing the exercise at a slow speed to help with accuracy and ease the burn in your hand.

Use triplets for the next exercise. Choose your favorite scale and play it in triplets, repeating the second note of the previous triplet with each set of three notes. Do this up and down the scale, double-picking, slowly at first and then faster. Remember as you finish the exercise to slow the speed.

Next you might try finding the same note on a single string. Pick any note on any string, and then find the same note, either an octave higher or lower, on the same string. This exercise doubles as a strength building exercise and will help you learn to identify where specific notes are located on a given string.

To increase picking speed, which is equally important, return to the first exercise and use the down pick all the way down the strings and then the up pick as you work your way back up. Before long you will notice a marked improvement in your picking speed.

Not every exercise will work for everyone, and of course some of these exercises will work better for some than for others. What is as important as the exercise is a regular practice routine. Even the guitar gods keep their chops up to speed by practicing each and every day, and while you may or may not become the next jukebox hero, to become a better guitar player you will need to practice.

Work on these exercises or some others that suite you, and use the advice here and get a metronome. The guitar is likely the world's most popular instrument, and it is easier to learn how to rock than you might believe. Sure, you will need a bit of talent, but just as important is your desire to practice, and these guitar speed exercises would be a great place to start.




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