I’m often asked what it takes to get quick on the guitar? While it’s usually not what beginners like to hear my answer is the same every time, practice, practice practice. If you want to become a faster guitar you need to master two things: accuracy and then speed. Doing something well fast means being able to do it excellent slowly.
This article will share with you 3 different practice exercises you can do to improve your speed of play and your accuracy. By doing these each time you sit down to practice you will start seeing results in a week or two.
If you are taking guitar lessons from someone right now I suggest you print this off and bring a copy to your instructor. They have have similar or better exercises they’d like you to do. The same goes if you’re using a learn guitar dvd or similar self study product take a look ahead in your lessons to see if there are similar exercises coming later on. Your teacher or the course developer may have different or better methods of improving your speed.
Exercise 1 – Learn your Scales
Knowing the notes on the guitar neck and the popular scales is important. If this is something you haven’t yet learned don’t panic. Using your favourite search engine search for Pentatonic Scales, or visit a gutiar lesson tips website and search for pentatonic scales. What you’re looking for is an image of the first pentatonic position.
You’re going to take that first pentatonic position and memorize it. You do not need to understand which scale is what or memorize all 5 positions of the pentatonic scales, just start with the first one and memorize it for now
Start playing that first shape on the 6th string all the way down to the 1st string Once you reach the 1st string play the scale backwards up to the 6th string. Now slide up to the second freat and repeat the process, then fret number three and four and so on.
You want to accomplish accuracy all the way up the neck with this shape both forwards and backwards
Exercise 2 – Playing Faster
Next you want to repeat the first exercise but we want to increase how quickly you’re doing it. Using a metronome find a pace that is comfortable for you to play the first pentatonic shape. This will vary from person to person, the key is that it’s comfortable for you.
Click start on your metronome and starting on the first fret play the scale forwards and backwards. You’re going to next slide up to fret two again but this time increase the tempo on your metronome by one beat per minute and continue to do this each fret all the way up the neck of your guitar.
Do this starts you off at a pace you’re comfortable with and then builds on it. Once you make it all the way up the neck you’ll have increased your speed by 12-16 beats per minute and hopefully maintained your accuracy and technique Stick with the same starting tempo for a week or so then try and increase it as to push yourself a little faster each week.
Exercise 3 – Double Picking
Most beginners only hit the string on the down stroke with their pick. How ever as you speed up, especially in exercise #2, you’re going to find that hitting the string on the way down just isn’t enough. It’s time to start plucking the string on the way down and up. In the beginning this may feel strange so again starting slowly and getting the right technique is key.
First on the open low E string pluck up and down with your pick. Do this for a couple of minutes to get comfortable with it. Next do the same but hit the low E string twice, next go to the 5th string, then the 4th and so on right down to the first string. Now do it in reverse from the 1st string to the 6th string. This exercise will help you feel comfortable picking up and down on all the strings and changing strings.
Now you’re ready to add the scale to the mix, try playing the pentatonic shape we did in the first and second exercises but this time hit the string up and down. This might feel strange at first, down pick for note one then up pick for note two and switch strings. Getting the right timing between your picking hand and fretting hand is tough but start slow, master it then add speed just like before.
By practicing these exercises a few times each week for about a month you’ll find yourself becoming faster and faster. I’d urge you to also ensure you’re practicing the other new material and concepts you’re learning as well. You must maintain pace with your guitar lesson dvd or guitar lesson plan Learning guitar is fun but to be good it takes practice and work. Rest assured how ever if you put the work in you will become a better guitar player.