How to Improve Speed on the Guitar

Ever feel like your fingers are stuck in slow motion while your mind races ahead, dreaming of shredding like a guitar god? You're not alone. Speed is one of those things that every guitarist craves, especially in the realm of metal, where blistering solos and rapid-fire riffs are the norm. Let's break down how you can turbocharge your playing and really get those fingers flying across the fretboard.

Warm-Up Like a Pro

Before you even think about speed, it's crucial to get your hands ready. Think of warming up as the secret sauce to preventing injuries and getting your muscles ready for action. You wouldn’t sprint a marathon without a proper stretch, right? The same goes for guitar.

Start with some gentle stretches for your fingers and wrists. A simple exercise is to make a fist with both hands, hold for a few seconds, then extend your fingers as wide as you can. Repeat this a few times to get the blood flowing. Follow this up with some chromatic exercises on the guitar. A classic one is the 1-2-3-4 exercise, where you use one finger per fret, starting on the low E string and working your way across and up the neck.

E|------------------------------1-2-3-4-|
B|------------------------1-2-3-4-------|
G|------------------1-2-3-4-------------|
D|------------1-2-3-4-------------------|
A|------1-2-3-4-------------------------|
E|1-2-3-4-------------------------------|

Play this slowly, focusing on clean picking and even timing. Gradually increase the speed as you feel more comfortable. Remember, it's not about rushing; it's about precision and control.

Metronome: Your Best Friend

The metronome is often seen as a guitarist's best friend—and for good reason. It keeps you honest and helps you build speed gradually. Start by setting your metronome to a comfortable tempo where you can play a passage cleanly. Let's say you're working on a particularly tricky riff. Set the metronome to 60 BPM and play along.

Once you're nailing it at that speed, increase the tempo by 5 BPM. Keep doing this, and you'll find your speed increasing naturally without sacrificing accuracy. It's crucial to resist the urge to jump to a higher tempo too quickly. The goal here is to build muscle memory and precision.

Interestingly enough, Riffhard has an amazing custom metronome designed specifically for guitar practice. It’s a handy tool to incorporate into your practice routine.

Economy of Motion

When it comes to playing fast, every movement should be as efficient as possible. Watch videos of great guitarists, and you'll notice they rarely make any unnecessary movements. Every pick stroke, every finger shift is minimal and precise.

One exercise to help with this is to practice alternate picking with small, controlled movements. Take a simple scale, like the A minor pentatonic, and focus on minimizing the distance your pick travels. Start at a slow tempo, and as you increase the speed, pay attention to keeping your movements tight and close to the strings.

E|--------------------------5-8-|
B|----------------------5-8-----|
G|------------------5-7---------|
D|--------------5-7-------------|
A|----------5-7-----------------|
E|------5-8---------------------|

Economy of motion also applies to your fretting hand. Ensure that your fingers are hovering just above the strings and are ready to move at a moment's notice. By reducing the distance your fingers need to travel, you'll increase your speed naturally.

Picking Technique: Alternate or Economy?

There’s a bit of a debate in the guitar world about whether alternate picking or economy picking is better for speed. The truth is, both have their merits, and it often comes down to personal preference and the specific passage you’re playing.

Alternate picking involves strict up-down motion, which provides a consistent rhythmic pattern. It's great for exercises where you need precision and timing. On the other hand, economy picking allows for a more fluid motion by combining alternate picking with sweep picking techniques, which can be more efficient in certain situations.

Try both methods with the same riff and see which feels more comfortable and accurate for you. As with most things guitar-related, versatility is your friend. The more techniques you have in your arsenal, the better prepared you'll be for any musical situation.

For in-depth lessons on picking techniques, Riffhard offers some great resources, taught by some of the best in the business. It's definitely worth checking them out to refine your technique.

Building Finger Independence

Finger independence is crucial for playing fast and accurately. If your fingers aren't used to moving independently, they'll get tangled up when you try to play quickly. Exercises that emphasize finger independence are invaluable.

One such exercise is the spider exercise. It involves playing a sequence of notes that requires each finger to move independently of the others. Here’s a simple version to get started:

E|-----------------------------1-3-2-4-|
B|-----------------------1-3-2-4-------|
G|-----------------1-3-2-4-------------|
D|-----------1-3-2-4-------------------|
A|-----1-3-2-4-------------------------|
E|1-3-2-4------------------------------|

Play this slowly at first, focusing on clean execution and even timing. As you become more comfortable, gradually increase the speed. The goal here is to ensure each finger is working independently of the others, which will translate into more fluid and faster playing.

Patience and Persistence

Building speed on the guitar doesn't happen overnight. It requires patience and consistent practice. There will be days when it feels like you're not making any progress, and that's perfectly normal. The key is to keep pushing forward and trust the process.

Keep track of your progress by recording yourself playing at different speeds. This way, you can listen back and hear the improvements over time, which can be incredibly motivating. Remember, every guitarist has faced the same challenges, and persistence is what helps you overcome them.

Incorporating Speed into Musical Context

Speed for the sake of speed isn't very musical. It’s important to know when and how to use your newfound speed to enhance your playing rather than dominate it. Start by taking a piece of music you enjoy and identifying sections where speed can add excitement or intensity.

For instance, in a metal solo, you might use speed to build tension leading up to a melodic climax. Alternatively, in a rhythm section, speed might be used to create a driving, aggressive feel. The goal is to use speed as a tool to enhance your musical expression.

Using Riffhard to Level Up Your Skills

One of the best ways to improve your guitar skills is to learn from the pros. At Riffhard, we've gathered some of the world's best metal guitarists to share their insights and techniques. With over 150 video lessons, you'll find a wealth of knowledge that covers everything from picking and rhythm guitar to advanced lead techniques.

Our interactive player allows you to adjust the tempo of lessons, so you can practice at your own pace. Plus, with downloadable tabs and Guitar Pro files, you can get hands-on with the material. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to refine your skills, Riffhard is a fantastic resource to take your playing to the next level.

Final Thoughts

Improving your speed on the guitar is all about consistency, patience, and the right techniques. Remember to warm up, use a metronome, and focus on economy of motion. It's also important to incorporate speed in a musical context to make your playing more expressive. For those looking to further refine their skills, Riffhard offers a plethora of resources that can help you achieve your goals. Keep practicing, and you'll be shredding like a pro in no time!