Learn How to Become a Fast Guitar Player

I have been giving private guitar lesson for a couple years now. Most of my students, especially the younger ones, want to become fast players. Personally, I don't think that speed is what makes a great guitar player, but since many people want to become faster players, I thought I would share some of my lessons for free on Associated Content.

Being a very fast player comes down to two things; strength and technique. You can have very strong fingers, but if you don't know what to do with them, it won't do you any good. The same goes for knowledge. You can memorize scales, licks, and chops until you're blue in the face, but if you don't practice enough, you will never be able to apply that knowledge.

First lets talk about how to build up your strength and agility with some finger exercises. The first exercise I will tell you about is a simple chromatic scale that will strengthen all of your fingers. It's good for beginners, intermediate, and advanced players. Begin with your pinky finger on the 4th fret of the 1st string (high E string). Slowly play each note descending from your pinky on the 4th fret, then your ring finger on the 3rd, your middle on the 2nd, and your index on the first. Repeat this on the B string, then the G string, and so on, and so on, until you work your way up to the 1st fret of the low E string. When you get to the 1st fret of the low E string, reverse the process in an ascending order. Do this over and over again for about 20 minutes. Each time you repeat the scale, do it a little bit faster. Make sure you are picking the strings in an down and up motion. One note down, the next note up, and so on. You will always be faster if you pick down and up rather than all down.