Here are some technique and warm up exercises that can help you to gain fluency, speed and accuracy on the guitar neck.
It's a good idea to do some of these exercises every day. Don't do them too long at a time, it's better to exercise regularly
(daily) for a short time.
It's a good idea to do some of these exercises every day. Don't do them too long at a time, it's better to exercise regularly
(daily) for a short time.
You gain the most out of these exercises if you use a metronome. Start slow and built up the speed. Don't force yourself
into a tempo that you're not ready for. Make sure your arms and wrists are relaxed. Failing to do so may result in a RSI like
tendinitis (wrist inflammation).
into a tempo that you're not ready for. Make sure your arms and wrists are relaxed. Failing to do so may result in a RSI like
tendinitis (wrist inflammation).
Just to make sure we understand eachother in terms of finger naming (warning: the numbers on the tabs below are not finger
numbers, but fret numbers):
numbers, but fret numbers):
Warm Up Exercises
This first exercise helps to develop your fluency, speed and left hand-right hand coordination. Start slow and build up the
speed. Use fingers 1, 2, 3 and 4 of your left hand, don't skip the little finger. Use a pick and do alternate picking. The exercise
doesn't stop at the end of the tabs, continue for the rest of the neck. Be RELAXED!
speed. Use fingers 1, 2, 3 and 4 of your left hand, don't skip the little finger. Use a pick and do alternate picking. The exercise
doesn't stop at the end of the tabs, continue for the rest of the neck. Be RELAXED!
...
The next exercise trains your individual fingers. First do the exercise with fingers 1 and 2. Next round use fingers 2 and 3.
Then use fingers 3 and 4. Do the exercise up to the 12th fret and for those of you who can't get enough of it, back from the
12th to the first. And remember: RELAX!
Then use fingers 3 and 4. Do the exercise up to the 12th fret and for those of you who can't get enough of it, back from the
12th to the first. And remember: RELAX!
...
String Skipping Exercises
The following set of exercises train your picking abilities.
...
This is one of bass player John Patitucci (if I remember it well). Happy skipping!
The next exercise uses the G major scale. It speaks for itself that you can use all guitar scales. Oh, when you reached the last
note on the tab, don't stop, but go back (I admit I was a bit lazy).
note on the tab, don't stop, but go back (I admit I was a bit lazy).
...
Intervalic Guitar Scales
The next set of exercises run through the G Ionian scale in different intervals. Try this exercise with all guitar scales you can
think of.
think of.
In thirds:
In fourths:
In fifths:
In sixths:
In sevenths:


