So you want to be able to play fast flashy lead licks? What guitarist doesn’t? A well-played lick can act like a little signature that says “hey, check this out, I can really play!” To get to this point though, you’ve got to work on developing your picking and playing technique. Just like getting fit, these tips are like a kick ass personal trainer for your guitar fitness. So let’s go to boot camp and get your hands and fingers moving together to start building your technique. Make no mistake – improving your technique will take discipline and patience, but these exercises can get you there faster. It’s really important to never practice an exercise any faster than you can actually play it note perfect. You don’t want to teach yourself how to make mistakes! Take your time, do the yards, and you’ll soon improve. An athlete builds into their training to become world class, and you should approach your practice like you’re aiming for the Olympics, too!
I like to warm up by wriggling my fingers and then shaking my hands in the air to get the blood moving. Remember to keep your hands, wrists and forearms relaxed. If tension builds up, stop straight away and take a break. As with all the exercises, start slowly at first and build up in speed as you become more confident. I recommend practicing these exercises with a metronome to help you stay in time and master smooth playing. Begin with a tempo where you can play the exercise perfectly, and it seems too easy, then gradually increase the tempo. Each exercise is a pattern, and is repeated up and down. I recommend using alternate picking strokes – down then up. Although the exercises are written on the first fret, you can practice them all over the fingerboard.
Playing a pattern
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Exercise
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Exercise
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Did you notice a pattern forming? Some other combinations in this style of speed building for you to try are: 1423; 4213; 2314; 4132; 3142 etc. Try your own combinations too.
Keep practicing and trying to improve your smooth speed picking. It’s a good idea to write down the tempo you practice each exercise at so you can monitor your progress and stay motivated as you see your speed increasing over time.
Moving up and down one string
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Notice from the tablature notation that you play up four notes, then slide to the next and then come down four notes, slide to the next etc. Repeat this on all strings. Go as far up the fingerboards as your guitar allows.
Excellent work! With some practice, these exercises can help improve your picking technique and speed. Remember that they’re only exercises, and the real fun begins now you can apply your improved skills to practice lead melodies at various speeds.
Pro Guitar Tip
These exercises are also the perfect warm up before you play a rocking show so you sound great from the first note.
You must log in to post a comment.