How to Play Guitar Tabs Faster

Playing guitar tabs faster can be a real game-changer for those looking to push their skills to the next level. Whether you’re shredding through a metal solo or trying to keep up with a complex rhythm, speed is often the key to sounding like a pro. So, how can you get those fingers flying across the fretboard with precision and speed? Let’s break it down.

Start Slow to Play Fast

It might seem counterintuitive, but the journey to playing fast begins with playing slow. This isn’t just a philosophical mantra; it’s a practical approach to building muscle memory and accuracy. When you play a piece slowly, you give your brain and fingers the chance to process each note and movement thoroughly. This way, when you gradually increase the tempo, your muscle memory takes over, helping you maintain accuracy even at higher speeds.

• Use a metronome: Start at a comfortable pace where you can play each note cleanly and in time. Slowly increase the tempo as you get more comfortable.
• Focus on precision: Ensure that each note rings clearly before you speed up. Sloppy playing will only become sloppier at higher speeds.
• Incremental increases: Raise the tempo by small increments—say 5 BPM at a time. Patience here pays off big time in the long run.

Interestingly enough, this slow practice doesn’t just apply to beginners. Even seasoned pros like those teaching at Riffhard emphasize the importance of starting slow to master even the most complex riffs and solos.

Palm Muting and Its Role in Speed

For metal guitarists, mastering palm muting is essential not only for tone but also for speed. This technique helps in controlling string noise and delivering the chugging power metal is known for. When you incorporate palm muting into your playing, especially during fast runs, it helps each note stand out clearly.

• Position your hand: Rest the palm of your picking hand lightly on the strings near the bridge.
• Experiment with pressure: Too much pressure can dampen the strings too much, while too little might not mute them enough.
• Practice with scales: Use palm muting in scale exercises to get used to the technique at different speeds.

Mastering palm muting can be a game-changer for playing faster and cleaner. It’s a technique heavily used by instructors at Riffhard, where lessons on rhythm guitar techniques dominate, unlike many other platforms that focus mostly on lead guitar.

Alternate Picking: The Speed Secret

Alternate picking is your best friend when it comes to speed. By alternating between downstrokes and upstrokes, you cut down the effort and time needed to play each note. This technique is crucial for fast runs and is a staple for metal guitarists.

• Start with simple exercises: Practice simple scales or chromatic exercises using alternate picking.
• Focus on consistency: Your upstrokes should be as strong and clear as your downstrokes.
• Incorporate it into riffs: Once comfortable, start using alternate picking in your riffs to speed them up.

Many of the world’s best metal guitarists, like those at Riffhard, have built their speed through mastering alternate picking. Their lessons can provide insights and exercises specifically tailored to enhance this technique.

Economy of Motion

Efficient movement is critical when aiming for speed. It’s easy to waste energy with unnecessary movements, which can slow you down and tire you out faster. Focus on minimizing the motion of both your picking and fretting hand.

• Keep your fingers close: Try to keep your fretting fingers close to the strings to reduce travel time.
• Shorten your picking motion: Use a small, controlled picking motion to avoid unnecessary movement.
• Relax your hands: Tension can slow you down. Relax your hands to maintain fluidity.

Remember, speed is as much about control as it is about raw speed. Practicing economy of motion will help you play faster with less effort.

Develop Finger Independence

Finger independence can greatly affect your playing speed. If your fingers are used to moving together or in awkward, non-coordinated ways, it will slow you down. Exercises that focus on finger independence can help break these habits.

• Spider exercises: These involve moving your fingers independently across the strings in various patterns.
• Chromatic scales: These scales use all four fingers and are great for building independence.
• Finger tapping: Even though it’s a lead guitar technique, finger tapping requires independent finger movement and can help in rhythm playing too.

Finger independence is something that can take time to develop, but with consistent practice, it will pay off in your overall speed and dexterity.

Use a Metronome Religiously

The metronome is more than just a timing tool; it’s a speed trainer. Regular practice with a metronome helps you develop a sense of timing and rhythm, which is crucial when playing fast.

• Start at a slow tempo: Ensure accuracy before increasing speed.
• Gradual tempo increase: Don’t rush. Increase the tempo slowly to build confidence and precision.
• Random tempo changes: Occasionally change the tempo drastically to make sure you can adjust quickly and maintain rhythm.

Many lessons at Riffhard incorporate metronome practice, highlighting its importance in developing speed and timing.

Focus on Picking Technique

Your picking hand plays a massive role in speed. A poor picking technique can slow you down significantly and even cause strain or injury over time. Focus on refining your picking technique to enhance speed.

• Use a firm grip: Hold your pick firmly to prevent it from slipping, but not so tight that it causes tension.
• Experiment with angles: Try different pick angles to find what feels most comfortable and efficient for speed.
• Practice different techniques: Alternate picking, economy picking, and hybrid picking can all contribute to faster playing.

Remember, the right picking technique can make all the difference in your speed journey, and refining it will pay off in spades.

Incorporate Speed Exercises

Just as athletes train specific muscles or skills, guitarists benefit from targeted speed exercises. These exercises focus on building the specific muscles and movements needed for fast playing.

• Speed drills: Create exercises that focus on playing as fast as possible without sacrificing accuracy.
• Interval training: Practice short bursts of speed followed by slower, relaxed playing to build endurance.
• Use scales: Practicing scales at high speeds can help improve finger movement and coordination.

Incorporating these exercises into your routine can significantly enhance your speed over time, leading to more impressive and technically demanding playing.

Find Your Rhythm with Riffhard

Sometimes all you need is a little guidance from the experts. At Riffhard, you’ll find lessons from some of the best modern metal guitarists, focusing on rhythm techniques that are often overlooked elsewhere. With over 150 video lessons, a custom metronome, and interactive player features, you’ll have all the tools you need to boost your speed and accuracy.

By integrating these tips and techniques into your practice, you’ll soon find yourself playing faster and more confidently. Remember, speed is not just about moving your fingers quickly but doing so with precision and control.

Final Thoughts

Playing guitar tabs faster is all about combining technique, practice, and patience. By starting slow, focusing on precision, and using tools like a metronome, you can gradually increase your speed and control. At Riffhard, we offer resources and lessons from top-tier metal guitarists to help you develop these skills effectively. Keep practicing, stay patient, and enjoy the journey to shredding faster than ever.