This got me wondering whether there might be a connection between the two. It seemed far-fetched; but, the more I thought about it, the more parallels I saw between these two seemingly different levels of training.
So, I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that:
1. You can learn guitar faster by studying the techniques involved making your overall playing ability 'faster', and..
2. You can become a much 'faster' guitar player by emphasizing your practice sessions on the basic concepts and techniques taught to every beginner.
The reasons for this overlap and can be summed up in a handy acronym: M.O.S.T. -- or, "Memorization,Observation and Strength-Training." Let's cover each one to clarify the point.
Memorization
One of the things that slows down both beginning and intermediate guitar players, no matter how good of an 'ear' for music they have, is a failure to memorize:
1. All of the notes on the fretboard
2. Chords and scales for the Major and Minor Keys
It doesn't matter whether you're just starting out, or have a few year's playing experience already. The reality is that 'hunting and pecking' for the needed chord or note will slow you down.
You don't have time in the middle of a song to stop so you can figure out if a Dbminor chord will work in the key of B, and then figure out where that chord is relative to your current position on the fretboard.
If you're a beginner, then memorizing your fretboard is the place to start. This will make it easier for you to memorize chords and scale patterns, as well as understand the relationship between them in music theory.
If you're already playing the guitar, then you should focus on increasing your knowledge in both of these areas. You probably have a good part of your fretboard memorized already, but can you jump to any note or chord automatically?
Observation
Your senses of touch, sight and sound are all involved in playing guitar. As you play, you will no doubt feel the development of 'muscle memory' as your fingers play across familiar chords and scales. You will notice relationships and patterns on the fretboard. You will hear what you're playing and come to connect it with all of the above.
Memorization is the foundation for observation, and observation is the key to training your mind and hands to work in concert automatically.
If you want the ability to play anything you hear 'in your head' the moment your fingers reach the fretboard, then you must wed memorization with observation when you practice.
Strength Training
No, I'm not suggesting you lift weights at the gym! Strength training, which really includes 'dexterity' training, is part and parcel of everything we've covered so far.
Beginning guitarists often struggle to hold down chords, and to play scales with all four fingers. This is simply a matter of building strength, muscle memory and dexterity through consistent and correct practice.
Intermediate players who want to get faster on the fretboard must realize that the most likely culprit(s) behind issues with 'speed' will be a deficiency in strength, dexterity, correct techqnie or all three.
Newbies should focus on strength building exercises and on performing those exercises consistently and perfectly. If you're given an exercise that requires you to hit a note with your pinky, but you decide to 'take the easy way out' by using your ring finger, know that your playing will hit a ceiling down the line.
Likewise,guitar players who can't seem to surpass their current speed on the guitar should re-examine their own technique. Have you stopped working on your strength training because the exercises are boring? Is your technique 'sloppy'?
There are some things you simply can't get away with at 160 bmp (beats per minute) the way you can at 120 bmp.
In conclusion, the key to learning guitar faster - as well as playing it faster - rests in following the M.O.S.T. formula. It really is all about getting the basics right from the start!
Most aspiring guitar players today fill their heads with dreams about moving their fingers effortlessly across their fretboards with lightning quick speed and accuracy that leaves minds rocked and speakers blown. There have been a few guitarists throughout the ages of rock that have been born with an almost supernatural understanding and talent for the guitar, but that isn't the case for most musicians. Learning to be a master of shred requires a lot of hard work, dedication, sweat, bloody fingertips, and patience.
There is a lot more to mastering speed than having a good sense of rhythm and a well-trained ear. You have to be willing to put in the time to practice, and to practice hard. If you want to learn how to blaze solos and belt out face melting guitar solos, you have to be dedicated to learning and putting into practice all you learn.
One method of improving your guitar playing speed is to use guitar backing tracks. Guitar backing tracks can help you improve your speed by playing along with other instruments in a set tempo. This can help you to take what you already know and work on perfecting those particular skills.
It's important to remember that one picks up speed picking by using your wrist rather than wriggling your fingers back and forth. Eddie Van Halen calls this Fan picking. Another great tip for improving speed involves practicing with a metronome. It's important to remember that before you can practice with a metronome to help you develop speed, you must first learn the technique or scale at your own speed. After you have mastered how to do the technique or how to play the scale, you can now move on to practicing to a metronome, set at whatever tempo you'd like.
For speed, it is necessary for guitarists to develop new skills with the right hand - quickly alternating the pick stroke upwards and downwards (variable stroke). The quicker the right hand can make these alternating strokes, the quicker the playing will be.
It is necessary to begin from the most standard tremolo (fast recurrence of one note). Triplets are the most effective way of learning to play a tremolo. Try to begin each of your lessons with a tremolo. It develops (and warms up well) the right hand. The tremolo notes must sound dynamically equal (all notes sounding of equal loudness) and with equal tempo.
It's important to remember that a crucial aspect of developing speed is to first develop accuracy. Learning to play fast means nothing if you aren't playing the right notes, and if you aren't playing the right notes cleanly. If you can train yourself through much practice to be as flawless as possible in your accuracy, you will be able to easily improve your playing speed.
When you've got your picking speed up, then you can look into worrying about the left hand notes, although this pattern fits quite well into the major scale at higher speeds. It is important to have fun every step of the way.
Many guitarists desire to be able to master the guitar and to shred along side some of the legends of rock music history. If you have the determination, the drive, and the willingness to dedicate yourself to practicing and learning, you will go pretty far, and may even accomplish your dream.
Both Rajinderpal Singh & Eugene Walker are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.