Finger exercises

[mobass]

I'm thinking about getting a book of finger exercises. Any recomendations? Also, say i work on 5 exercises at a time. If i start really slow, say50-60 bpm, how fast should I be able to play them before moving on?

[mosiddiqi]

What's your goal in doing finger exercises?..I'm asking as someone who really isn't a fan of that type of practice..so bear with me as I'm biased!

 

If the goal is to develop an efficient and fast technique, then get hold of Troy Stetina's "Speed Mechanics" which does have a mix of finger exercises and actual music to practice.

 

I much prefer working on actual music that then requires me to drill a specific technique..so it's always in context. For example, my alternate picking improved by working on the chromatic descending lick that Randy Rhoads does towards the end of the solo in "I Don't Know".

[mobass]

Right now my goal is to get my alternate picking fast and clean.

[mosiddiqi]

 

Right now my goal is to get my alternate picking fast and clean.

 

 

Right, in which case "Speed Mechanics" is a really good workbook. Stick to the regime Troy outlines and you will definitely improve. Try and mix it up with learning solo's you like that require good alternate picking technique.

[kIrkHamster]

How good are you of an ear learner? because if you are id recommend taking bits from songs and using them as exercises, for instance i use keyboard bits from frank zappa songs as alternate picking/finger strength exercises as they are very difficult to play on guitar, i prefer to make my own exercises and practice them slowly in front of a metronome, not only is it more fun than using someone else's, but it helps you develop a more specific style i guess.

heres one of my favorites, i sort of based it off a paul gilbert exercise

start it on the high E string, its in G minor, alternate pick everything, or hammer everything on if you are really hardcore.

-6-5-6-3-6-5-6-3-8-6-8-5-8-6-8-5-10-8-10-6-10-8-10-6-11-10-11-8-11-10-11-8

and so on and so forth

after your done with the top string take a break and move down a string until you get to the Low E

it really builds up pinky strength as you are constantly pedaling off your pinky, remember if it hurts, stop and take a break.

I could never get into Troy's stuff, a lot of his exercises are really boring, and i dont like how he makes you practice your left hand alone then your right hand alone, maybe its the right way to go but i just cant do that for more than 5 minutes, it doesnt feel like im playing guitar

[Jeff1979]

Right now my goal is to get my alternate picking fast and clean.

 

 

For the left hand

The way i started was to first get the fingers moving quick, practice hammer ons/Pull offs on one string, 3NPS, speed up with the metronome...

 

For the right hand

Alt picking on a single string, use open strings for this, speed up with the met

 

Both hands together

3NPS/4NPS String exercises, again, only on one string, speed up with the met

 

Changing strings

Things start getting tricky here, you have outside picking and inside picking to deal with, practice both of these seperate, two examples for you...

 

E--------5-7-8--

B--5-7-8-------- Outside

 

E--8-7-5--------

B--------8-7-5-- Inside

 

 

Inside picking took me awhile to get used to, stick with it....

 

I know people always say "play slow to play fast" but.......

You also need to play fast to learn how to do it, a runner doesnt gat fast by walking or jogging, they do it by running fast. Do get what your playing down first at a slow speed but once you've done that speed up, find your comfort zone then go 20 bpm above it, yes you will be sloppy so only do it for a short while then bring it down to 3bpm above you comfort zone, get used to that, then repet...

 

 

Ill post some more after work.....