Speed and accuracy :)

[Chris]

Hey Mark!

I still have very strong issues playing fast on my guitar and even if I manage to play
somewhat fast, my accuracy is lacking extremely.

I wanted to ask if you have some tips and exercices on how to improve my speed and
my accuracy while playing the guitar?


Chris

 

[Mark Wein]

Hey Mark!

I still have very strong issues playing fast on my guitar and even if I manage to play
somewhat fast, my accuracy is lacking extremely.

I wanted to ask if you have some tips and exercices on how to improve my speed and
my accuracy while playing the guitar?


Chris

I think the hardest thing about building speed is doing everything very slowly to make sure you are doing it correctly and then gradually bringing the passage or exercise up in speed slow enough that you are keeping the technique consistent. When most of my students try to play fast they just start at a tempo that is already too quick for them to pull off instead of working up towards the desired tempo.

One book that really helped me get started playing better physically was Jody Fishers "30 Day Guitar Workout":

http://www.amazon.com/30-Day-Guitar-Workout-Book-30-Day%60/dp/0739036335/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1212418248&sr=8-1

Is it more a matter of your hands not synchronizing or is one hand lagging more that the other one?

Try the lessons in the technique section of my site...do them slowly at around 60bpm with the metronome and see if anything improves...

http://markweinguitarlessons.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=category&sectionid=6&id=15&Itemid=39

 

[Chris]

Well I have problems with both hands. With my right hand I find it often hard to keep picking
the right strings (probably because I need to improve my alternate picking) and with my left
hand I sometimes miss a few notes when I try to play faster.

But I think you are right... the major problem is that I'm trying to play fast from the beginning
instead of starting slowly.


Thanks for your tips I will give it a try!

 

[Mark Wein]

Well I have problems with both hands. With my right hand I find it often hard to keep picking
the right strings (probably because I need to improve my alternate picking) and with my left
hand I sometimes miss a few notes when I try to play faster.

But I think you are right... the major problem is that I'm trying to play fast from the beginning
instead of starting slowly.


Thanks for your tips I will give it a try!

No problem! Let me know how it goes...I've never been a very natural player and it really has taken me years to get my hands together...the best advice I can give is go slow and be patient.

Finding a piece of music that has consistent alternate picking really helps. I have a couple of simple bluegrass books that really have helped. I might make a list tomorrow of small pieces that might be helpful...

 

[Tim]

Hey Mark!

I still have very strong issues playing fast on my guitar and even if I manage to play
somewhat fast, my accuracy is lacking extremely.

I wanted to ask if you have some tips and exercices on how to improve my speed and
my accuracy while playing the guitar?


Chris

I think the hardest thing about building speed is doing everything very slowly to make sure you are doing it correctly and then gradually bringing the passage or exercise up in speed slow enough that you are keeping the technique consistent. When most of my students try to play fast they just start at a tempo that is already too quick for them to pull off instead of working up towards the desired tempo.

One book that really helped me get started playing better physically was Jody Fishers "30 Day Guitar Workout":

http://www.amazon.com/30-Day-Guitar-Workout-Book-30-Day%60/dp/0739036335/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1212418248&sr=8-1

Is it more a matter of your hands not synchronizing or is one hand lagging more that the other one?

Try the lessons in the technique section of my site...do them slowly at around 60bpm with the metronome and see if anything improves...

http://markweinguitarlessons.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=category&sectionid=6&id=15&Itemid=39

I have that 30 day book but never used it. hmm maybe i should go dust that thing off now i see its gottin a recommendation. My prob with my speed is that my fretting hand cant keep up with my picking hand. I do like little hammer ons sometimes it sounds like cause my left hand is not 100% alligned. Back to slow pratice :( lol

 

[Mark Wein]

Hey Mark!

I still have very strong issues playing fast on my guitar and even if I manage to play
somewhat fast, my accuracy is lacking extremely.

I wanted to ask if you have some tips and exercices on how to improve my speed and
my accuracy while playing the guitar?


I think the thing to remember is that if you are having problems at any tempo synchronizing the hands you need to go back to playing it slower until you get it together..

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news! ;D


Chris

I think the hardest thing about building speed is doing everything very slowly to make sure you are doing it correctly and then gradually bringing the passage or exercise up in speed slow enough that you are keeping the technique consistent. When most of my students try to play fast they just start at a tempo that is already too quick for them to pull off instead of working up towards the desired tempo.

One book that really helped me get started playing better physically was Jody Fishers "30 Day Guitar Workout":

http://www.amazon.com/30-Day-Guitar-Workout-Book-30-Day%60/dp/0739036335/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1212418248&sr=8-1

Is it more a matter of your hands not synchronizing or is one hand lagging more that the other one?

Try the lessons in the technique section of my site...do them slowly at around 60bpm with the metronome and see if anything improves...

http://markweinguitarlessons.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=category&sectionid=6&id=15&Itemid=39

I have that 30 day book but never used it. hmm maybe i should go dust that thing off now i see its gottin a recommendation. My prob with my speed is that my fretting hand cant keep up with my picking hand. I do like little hammer ons sometimes it sounds like cause my left hand is not 100% alligned. Back to slow pratice :( lol