Guitarists: 5 exercises you should start doing from today
What's the story
Increasing fretting speed on the electric guitar is a key aspect for any player aiming to enhance their performance. This article presents five finger exercises specifically crafted to build agility, strength, and speed in your fretting hand. By integrating these exercises into your regular practice regimen, you will experience significant progress in your playing efficiency.
Warm-up
Chromatic finger warm-up
Begin with a basic chromatic warm-up exercise to loosen up your fingers. Position your fingers on the first four frets of the low E string, with one finger allocated to each fret. Pluck each note individually, then shift to the A string, and repeat the process for all six strings. This exercise engages all your fingers, priming them for more intricate maneuvers.
Flexibility
Hammer-ons and pull-offs drill
Hammer-ons and pull-offs are essential for increasing fretting speed. Start by picking a note, then quickly hammer on to the next note without re-picking. Then, immediately perform a pull-off back to the original note. This exercise will build finger strength and dexterity, making it easier to play fast passages with greater ease and accuracy.
Coordination
Spider exercise
The spider exercise is a classic for building finger coordination. Begin by playing the first four frets on the low E string using all four fingers. Then, move to the next string but start one fret back, essentially creating a diagonal pattern across the fretboard. This exercise pushes finger independence and encourages smoother movement across strings.
Speed building
Scale sequencing
Practicing scales in sequences (not straight runs) can make a huge difference in your speed and fluidity. Break scales into three or four note patterns per string, and practice playing them up and down across all six strings. Try different rhythmic patterns and gradually increase the tempo to challenge yourself. The key is to maintain clarity in each note while pushing your speed.
Flexibility enhancement
Finger stretching exercises
To improve reach and flexibility on the fretboard, implement stretching exercises into your practice regimen. Position your index finger on a fret of the low E string and stretch each following finger as far as comfortably possible along the same string while maintaining all fingers pressed down. This exercise not only enhances stretch but also builds individual finger control across broader intervals.