10 Easy Techniques to Develop Speed on the Guitar
Every guitarist dreams of shredding lightning-fast licks with pinpoint precision, but speed without accuracy is like running before learning to walk, it’s bound to cause problems. Developing speed on the guitar while maintaining accuracy and control is an art that requires patience, deliberate practice, and the right techniques.
In this blog, I’ll guide you through some techniques to develop speed on the guitar without sacrificing clarity or tone.
Why Accuracy Comes First
Before diving into techniques to develop speed on guitar, let’s address the elephant in the room: accuracy is non-negotiable. Playing fast but messy not only sounds bad but can lead to bad habits that are hard to break. Think of accuracy as the foundation of your playing. Without it, speed becomes meaningless. The goal is to play every note cleanly, even at blistering tempos.
Techniques to Build Speed Gradually
1. Start Slow and Perfect Each Note
One of the techniques to develop speed on the guitar is to use a metronome, play scales, exercises, or licks at a pace where you can hit every note cleanly. Focus on:
- Finger placement: Ensure each finger lands in the optimal spot on the fretboard.
- Pick control: Use small, controlled motions.
- Consistency: Every repetition should sound identical.
Pro Tip: Slow practice trains your muscle memory, ensuring that your fingers learn the correct motions.
2. Use a Metronome Religiously
A metronome is your best friend for building techniques to develop speed on the guitar. Set it to a comfortable tempo and practice your exercise until you can play it flawlessly. Then, increase the tempo incrementally, no more than 5 BPM at a time. This gradual increase allows your fingers to adapt without overwhelming your control.
3. Focus on the Economy of Motion
This is a part of the techniques to develop speed on the guitar: minimize unnecessary movement in your picking hand and fretting hand. Efficient movements allow you to play faster with less effort. Here’s how:
- Keep your fingers close to the strings.
- Use small, precise picking motions.
- Avoid over-exaggerating shifts or stretches.
4. Break It Down into Sections
If you’re working on a fast lick or passage, break it into smaller chunks. Master each section slowly, then piece them together. This method ensures you’re not glossing over problem areas.
5. Practice Alternate Picking
Alternate picking (down-up-down-up) is an essential technique to develop speed on the guitar. Start with simple exercises, like playing scales or chromatic patterns, focusing on even strokes and timing. As you improve, integrate alternate picking into more complex runs.
Exercise Idea: Practice a simple three-note-per-string scale using alternate picking at a slow tempo, gradually increasing speed.
6. Incorporate Legato Techniques
Legato techniques, hammer-ons, and pull-offs can help you achieve speed without over-relying on your picking hand. Practice exercises that mix picking and legato to develop a smooth, fluid sound.
7. Use Speed Bursts
Speed bursts are short bursts of fast playing followed by a return to slow practice. For example:
- Play a lick slowly for four measures.
- Play the same lick at double speed for one measure.
- Return to the slow tempo.
This method helps your fingers get used to the speed while keeping accuracy in check.
8. Monitor Your Tension
Tension is the enemy of speed. Stay relaxed, especially in your hands, wrists, and shoulders. Regularly checking your body for unnecessary tension and consciously releasing it will help with your techniques to develop speed on the guitar.
9. Record and Analyze Your Playing
Recording yourself is one of the best ways to track progress and spot mistakes. Listen for:
- Clean note articulation.
- Even timing.
- Consistency across different tempos.
10. Be Patient and Persistent
Speed doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a gradual process that requires dedication and patience. Is important to celebrate small milestones, like playing a lick 10 BPM faster than last week, and keep pushing forward as .
A Sample Practice Routine
Here’s a daily routine to build speed and accuracy:
- Warm-Up (10 Minutes)
- Chromatic exercises at a slow tempo with a metronome.
- Focus on clean fretting and picking.
- Scales or Arpeggios (15 Minutes)
- Practice with alternate picking and legato techniques.
- Start slow and gradually increase the tempo.
- Speed Bursts (10 Minutes)
- Use a challenging lick or phrase.
- Alternate between slow practice and short bursts of speed.
- Song Practice (15 Minutes)
- Choose a song with fast passages.
- Apply the techniques to real music.
Final Thoughts
Building speed on the guitar is a marathon, not a sprint. By focusing on accuracy first and implementing deliberate, gradual practice techniques, you’ll develop the ability to play fast, clean, and confidently. Remember, every great shredder started slow—your patience and persistence will pay off.
Interested in taking your guitar skills to the next level? Click the below and book a free lesson with us! We’re committed to helping you express yourself freely on the guitar without endless scales and theory. Happy playing!
Author: Daniel Powers Jr, the founder of Real Brave™, serves as the chief inspiration to thousands of students in the Real Brave music instruction program. He’s also the visionary behind PracticePad™, an online platform for live one-on-one online music lessons, lesson tracking, and scheduling. Beyond his entrepreneurial pursuits, Daniel leads a non-profit organization that provides formerly homeless children with access to music education, making a profound impact on their lives. His unwavering dedication to music, innovation, and education continues to inspire individuals to reach their fullest potential while creating positive change in communities. Follow Real Brave on all the socials:
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