How to Increase Finger Speed on the Guitar

Speed on the fretboard is like the holy grail for guitarists, especially in the world of metal. Whether you're aiming to nail that blistering solo or keep up with the relentless pace of a thrash riff, finger speed is crucial. So, how can you get those fingers flying across the strings with precision and power? Let's dig into some effective ways to increase finger speed on the guitar, tailored for those who love the aggressive and intricate nature of metal music.

Start with Proper Warm-Ups

Just like athletes need to stretch before a game, guitarists need to warm up their fingers. Skipping this step can lead to stiffness and even injury. A good warm-up primes your fingers, helping them move with more agility and ease. You might think, "I just want to shred!" But trust me, taking five minutes for a warm-up can make all the difference.

• Chromatic Exercises: Play chromatic scales slowly, focusing on evenness and clarity. Start at the first fret and work your way up, using all four fingers. This not only warms up your fingers but also helps in finger independence.
• Stretching: Gently stretch your fingers and wrists. Try holding each stretch for about 30 seconds. This can prevent strain and increase flexibility.
• Finger Tapping: Lightly tap your fingers on a table or the guitar body to get the blood flowing.

Once you're warmed up, you'll notice a sense of readiness in your fingers, making it easier to tackle complex riffs and solos.

Focus on Precision Before Speed

It's tempting to push for speed right out of the gate, but precision is the real secret to fast playing. If you rush, you'll end up with sloppy technique, and no one wants that. So, how do you marry speed with precision?

• Use a Metronome: Start slow with a metronome and gradually increase the tempo. This trains your fingers to move accurately and consistently.
• Pick Each Note Clearly: Make sure each note rings out clearly. Focus on your picking hand just as much as your fretting hand.
• Break Down Complex Parts: If a riff or solo has a complicated section, break it down into smaller parts. Master each section before putting it all together.

Interestingly enough, precision tends to lead naturally to speed. Once your fingers know where to go and what to do, they'll start doing it faster.

Incorporate Alternate Picking

Alternate picking is a technique where you alternate between downstrokes and upstrokes. It's essential for playing fast and clean metal riffs. Mastering this technique can significantly boost your speed and efficiency.

• Start Simple: Begin with simple exercises that focus solely on alternate picking. Try picking open strings first to get the motion down.
• Gradually Add Complexity: Once you're comfortable with the basic motion, start incorporating scales and simple licks.
• Focus on Consistency: Ensure that your upstrokes and downstrokes are equally strong and even.

Alternate picking can feel awkward at first, but with practice, it becomes second nature. And when it does, your speed will soar.

Pay Attention to Your Hand Position

Your hand position can either be your best friend or your worst enemy when it comes to speed. If your hand is tense or in an awkward position, it will slow you down.

• Relax Your Hand: Tension is a speed killer. Keep your hand relaxed and fluid.
• Keep Your Wrist Straight: A bent wrist can lead to tension and injury. Try to keep your wrist as straight as possible.
• Economy of Motion: Minimize unnecessary movement. The less your fingers have to move, the faster they'll be.

A relaxed, efficient hand position not only helps with speed but also prevents fatigue, allowing you to play longer without discomfort.

Practice Finger Independence

Finger independence is key to playing fast and complex passages. If your fingers are tripping over each other, it's hard to maintain speed.

• Isolate Fingers: Focus on exercises that require one finger to hold a note while others move. This can be surprisingly challenging but highly beneficial.
• Use Different Combinations: Practice scales and licks using different combinations of fingers. This enhances dexterity and control.
• Piano-Style Exercises: Borrow exercises from piano players that focus on finger independence. They translate well to guitar.

By improving finger independence, you ensure that each finger can operate efficiently, boosting your overall speed.

Utilize Hammer-Ons and Pull-Offs

Hammer-ons and pull-offs are great ways to increase speed without relying solely on picking. They allow your fingers to do the work, which can be faster and more fluid.

• Start Slow: Work on basic hammer-ons and pull-offs with simple scales.
• Increase Speed Gradually: As you become more comfortable, increase your speed while maintaining clarity.
• Combine with Picking: Integrate hammer-ons and pull-offs with picked notes for a varied and dynamic sound.

These techniques can add speed and flair to your playing, making even simple lines sound more impressive.

Practice with Purpose

Mindless practice won't get you far. It's essential to practice with clear goals and focus.

• Set Specific Goals: Set clear, achievable goals for each practice session. This gives you direction and helps you measure progress.
• Stay Focused: Avoid distractions during practice. Use dedicated practice time to work on specific techniques and pieces.
• Reflect and Adjust: After practice, reflect on what worked and what didn't. Adjust your approach as needed.

Purposeful practice leads to faster progress and helps maintain motivation, keeping your practice sessions productive and rewarding.

Incorporate Bricks from Riffhard

When you're serious about increasing your finger speed, having the right resources is crucial. Our lessons at Riffhard focus on rhythm guitar techniques, taught by some of the world's best metal guitarists. Bricks are a fantastic way to break down challenging techniques into manageable parts, helping you build speed and precision in no time.

• Step-by-Step Guidance: Each Brick offers clear, detailed instruction on mastering specific techniques.
• Interactive Tools: Our custom metronome and interactive player help you practice effectively and efficiently.
• World-Class Instructors: Learn from the best, like Dean Lamb of Archspire and Zakk Wylde of Black Label Society.

Riffhard is designed to help you become the guitarist you aspire to be, offering valuable resources and support every step of the way.

Experiment with Different Techniques

Don't be afraid to experiment with different playing techniques. Sometimes stepping out of your comfort zone can lead to unexpected improvements in speed.

• Try Hybrid Picking: This combines pick and fingers, offering new textures and speed possibilities.
• Explore Tapping: Tapping can add speed and complexity to your playing, especially in solos.
• Use Sweep Picking: While challenging, sweep picking can dramatically increase speed for arpeggios and fast licks.

Each technique offers its own advantages and can be integrated into your playing style to provide new dimensions and speed capabilities.

Final Thoughts

Increasing finger speed on the guitar is a journey that combines technique, precision, and practice. By incorporating these strategies and consistently challenging yourself, you'll see significant improvement in your speed and overall playing. And remember, at Riffhard, we're here to support you with expert guidance and resources to help you reach your goals. Happy shredding!