A lot of beginning guitar players write to me and ask for
advice how to play guitar 'fast'. I inevitably write them
back to ask whether they already play guitar, and just want
to be faster on the fretboard, or whether they're beginners
who want a shortcut to basic proficiency.
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 'faster' guitar player by re-focusing
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 fact is that
'hunting and pecking' for the right 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, then you should focus on
strengthening your knowledge in both 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 see patterns and
relationships 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.
Beginners should focus on strength building exercises and
on performing those exercises perfectly. If you're given an
exercise that requires you to hit a note with your pinky,
but you decide to 'cheat' by using your ring finger, know
that your playing will hit a wall down the line.
Likewise, players who can't seem to exceed their current
speed on the guitar should 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 not get away with at
160 beats per minute the way you can at 120 beats per
minute.
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!
----------------------------------------------------
Someday you'll be a guitar-god....but, first, you must
learn how 'mere mortals' play:
http://www.learnguitartips.com
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