How to Improve Guitar Picking Speed

Tight picking and clean technique are the foundation of killer metal rhythm playing. If your riffs sound sloppy, it's not your guitar—it's your right hand. Here's how to clean up your picking and get that crushing precision.

Get Your Grip Right

First things first, let's talk about your grip. How you hold your pick can make a world of difference in your picking speed. You’ll want to hold the pick with just enough tension to keep it from flying out of your hand, but not so much that your hand becomes tense. Imagine you're holding a baby bird—firm enough that it doesn't escape, but gentle enough not to crush it.

A popular method among metal guitarists is the "pinch" grip, where you hold the pick between your thumb and the side of your index finger. This grip provides control and allows for faster wrist movement, which is crucial for those rapid-fire metal riffs. Make sure the pick's tip is pointing slightly towards the guitar strings, giving you a better angle for attacking the strings.

Experiment with different pick thicknesses as well. Thicker picks can provide more control and a stronger attack, while thinner picks can be easier to move quickly through the strings. Finding the right combination that suits your style can take some time, but it's worth the effort.

Interestingly enough, I once spent a month trying out different pick shapes and sizes before settling on one that felt just right for my playing style. It felt like a revelation—suddenly, my picking speed improved, and my riffs started sounding tighter. So, give yourself the freedom to explore and find what works best for you.

Wrist vs. Forearm: The Eternal Debate

Ah, the age-old question: should you use your wrist or your forearm for picking? The answer? Both, but mostly your wrist. For most metal guitarists, the wrist is the primary driver for picking speed and accuracy. Using your wrist allows for more precise control and faster movements compared to relying on the forearm.

Your wrist should be loose and relaxed, almost like it's floating above the strings. Practice using only your wrist to pick while keeping your forearm stable. This might feel awkward at first, especially if you've been using your whole arm, but it will pay off in terms of speed and accuracy.

Of course, there are times when your forearm comes into play, like during long, fast passages or when you're downpicking intensely. In these cases, a bit of forearm motion can provide the necessary power and endurance. But as a rule of thumb, try to keep the bulk of your picking motion coming from the wrist.

If you're unsure about your technique, recording yourself can be a great way to spot any unnecessary movements. Watching those recordings can be eye-opening and help you make adjustments to refine your technique.

The Meticulous Metronome

Let's talk about the metronome, your new best friend. This little device is invaluable for building picking speed. Start slow and gradually increase the tempo as you become more comfortable. It might be tempting to crank up the BPM right away, but taking the time to build up slowly pays dividends in the long run.

A good practice is to start at a tempo where you can play comfortably and cleanly, then increase by 5 BPM at a time. If you find yourself struggling or getting sloppy, slow it down until you're playing cleanly again. Consistent practice with a metronome will help internalize the tempo and improve your timing, both crucial for fast picking.

Using a custom metronome designed specifically for guitar practice, like the one we have at Riffhard, can offer even more tailored features that can help you focus on particular aspects of your picking technique.

Remember, speed comes from accuracy, and accuracy comes from patience. Consistency is key, so make metronome practice a regular part of your routine.

Alternate Picking: Your Secret Weapon

If you're not already familiar with alternate picking, now's the time to get acquainted. This technique involves alternating between downstrokes and upstrokes, allowing for fluid motion and increased speed. It's a staple technique in metal guitar playing and essential for those blistering solos and complex riffs.

Start by practicing simple exercises like playing a single note with alternate picking, focusing on keeping an even rhythm and consistent sound between downstrokes and upstrokes. As you become more comfortable, incorporate scales and sequences to challenge yourself further.

One exercise I like to use involves playing a chromatic scale up and down the neck, focusing on keeping each note even and clear. It's a simple yet effective way to build speed and accuracy simultaneously.

For more in-depth lessons on alternate picking and other techniques, consider checking out the resources at Riffhard, where the world's best metal guitarists share their insights and practices.

Use Economy of Motion

One of the most important concepts for increasing picking speed is economy of motion. Simply put, this means minimizing the movement of your picking hand. The less distance your pick has to travel, the faster you can play.

Focus on keeping your pick close to the strings and avoid large, sweeping motions. Think of it like typing—your fingers move just enough to hit each key, not more. The same principle applies to picking. Practice exercises that involve small, precise movements, like tremolo picking on a single string or alternate picking across multiple strings.

It's also helpful to keep your picking hand anchored by lightly resting your palm on the bridge. This helps stabilize your hand and prevents excessive movement. Just be careful not to press too hard, as this can mute the strings and affect your tone.

This technique might feel a little strange at first, but with consistent practice, it will become second nature. And the results? Faster, cleaner picking that makes your riffs and solos shine.

Don't Neglect Your Fretting Hand

While we've focused a lot on the picking hand, your fretting hand plays an equally important role in your picking speed. If your fretting hand can't keep up, your picking speed won't matter. The two hands need to work in harmony.

Start by practicing basic finger exercises to build strength and dexterity in your fretting hand. Chromatic exercises, where each finger plays one fret in sequence, are excellent for this. Not only do they increase finger independence, but they also help with synchronization between your picking and fretting hands.

As you improve, incorporate more complex exercises like scales and arpeggios, focusing on playing them cleanly and accurately at various speeds. Pay attention to your finger placement and aim to keep your fingers close to the fretboard to minimize unnecessary movement.

At Riffhard, we offer lessons that include exercises specifically designed to improve coordination between the fretting and picking hands, taught by some of the best metal guitarists in the world.

Practice with Purpose

It’s easy to get caught up in the endless cycle of mindless practice, but practicing with purpose is far more beneficial. Set specific goals for each practice session, whether it's mastering a particular riff or increasing your picking speed by 5 BPM.

Break down your practice into focused segments. Spend time on exercises specifically targeting picking speed, but also dedicate time to playing songs or riffs you enjoy. This not only keeps practice engaging but also helps apply the skills you're developing in a musical context.

Self-assessment is also an important part of purposeful practice. Record yourself playing and listen critically. Are your notes even? Is your timing consistent? Identifying areas for improvement helps guide your practice and keeps you on the path to progression.

Remember, it's not about how long you practice, but how effectively you practice. Quality over quantity is the mantra here, so make every minute count.

Stay Relaxed and Avoid Tension

One of the biggest barriers to picking speed is tension. Tension in your hands, arms, or shoulders can slow you down and lead to fatigue or even injury. It's crucial to stay relaxed, especially as you increase your speed.

Pay attention to your body as you play. If you feel any tension building up, take a moment to shake it out. Practice slow, relaxed movements before gradually increasing your speed. This helps train your muscles to stay loose, even as the tempo rises.

Breathing is also important. It's easy to hold your breath when concentrating, but this can lead to tension. Try to maintain steady, relaxed breathing as you play. This not only reduces tension but also helps keep your mind focused and calm.

Practice mindfulness during your sessions, paying attention to how your body feels. This awareness can help you identify and address tension before it becomes a problem, allowing you to play faster and more comfortably.

Consistency Is King

Finally, consistency is your best friend when it comes to improving picking speed. Regular, focused practice will yield far better results than sporadic sessions. Aim to practice daily, even if it's just for a short period. Consistent practice helps reinforce the skills you're building and keeps your progress on track.

Make practice a part of your routine, like brushing your teeth or eating breakfast. Set a specific time each day for practice and stick to it. Over time, this consistency will become a habit and you'll begin to see significant improvements in your picking speed.

At Riffhard, we emphasize the importance of a structured practice routine and offer tools like our Shredule to help you organize your practice sessions effectively.

Remember, progress may be slow at first, but with consistent effort, you'll achieve the picking speed and precision you're aiming for. Stay patient and keep pushing forward.

Final Thoughts

Improving your guitar picking speed is a journey that requires patience, practice, and persistence. By focusing on technique, relaxation, and consistency, you'll see your skills improve over time. At Riffhard, we offer resources and lessons from some of the best metal guitarists to help you on this journey. Keep practicing and enjoy the process!