17 Strategies to Improve Your Guitar Picking Speed (2024)

Developing a faster guitar picking technique requires not only dedicated practice but also the correct strategies.

The ability to pick swiftly and accurately can accentuate any performance and offers a huge advantage in music genres such as heavy metal and bluegrass.

However, increasing your speed without compromising precision can be quite challenging, especially for beginners.

In this regard, it is critical to adopt the right approach from early practice sessions.

This professional guide provides tips and exercises meant to enhance your technique.

By following these strategies, you can elevate your playing prowess to new heights while minimizing the risk of developing bad habits.

Strategies To Improve Your Guitar Picking Speed

1. Regularly Practice Alternate Picking

Alternate picking is one of the most crucial guitar techniques to improve your picking speed.

It consists of alternating downstrokes and upstrokes when plucking the strings.

With alternate picking, you can play notes faster and more efficiently than with down-picking alone.

This technique is notably beneficial for playing rapid, intermittent notes and is commonly used in various music genres.

Succeeding in alternate picking necessitates dedicated, consistent practice.

Patience is a virtue, an incremental improvement in speed is a big achievement in learning this technique.

Not surprisingly, incorporating this into your practice can significantly boost your guitar picking speed over time, improve your rhythm and timing, and help your right and left hands work together more smoothly.

When starting with alternate picking, it’s best to do so at a slow, manageable pace.

Make sure every note is clear and defined before you attempt to speed up.

Precision is more critical than speed when learning to alternate pick.

Here’s a tip: try playing scales, arpeggios, or simple melodies using alternate picking to improve both your entire playing and your picking speed.

Remember, it is important to maintain a relaxed grip on the pick to avoid unnecessary tension which may slow down your picking speed.

Guitar Lesson Exercise to Practice Your Alternate Picking

Watch the embedded video above to explore an alternate picking exercise that can significantly improve your picking speed.

The video provides a practical introduction to alternate picking, showing how to incorporate it in a fluid and natural manner.

Focus on the movements and pay attention to the transition between the upstrokes and downstrokes.

Continue practicing this technique until you begin to see increases in your speed and fluidity.

The key to successful alternate picking and thus, an increase in your guitar picking speed, is consistency in practice.

The more you practice, the more you’ll find yourself playing faster and more efficiently.

2. Start Playing at a Slow Pace

Starting your guitar picking journey at a slow pace is an essential step to improving your overall speed in the long run.

The principle behind this is straightforward; it allows your mind and fingers to work methodically, thus building a strong foundation for future rapid movements.

Begin with simple picking patterns and concentrate on maintaining a consistent rhythm.

Ensure every note is clean and distinct, with no ringing or buzzing.

This slow and methodical approach allows you to ingrain proper picking technique into muscle memory, reducing the likelihood of developing bad habits.

Developing precision and accuracy at a slower pace builds a robust foundation for speed.

Supporting this, numerous professional guitarists attribute their impressive speeds to initially learning their craft at a slow, purposeful pace.

It might be tempting to rush into speedy licks and riffs, but patience and persistence at this stage pays off positively in the end.

After all, speed without precision and accuracy is simply a flurry of notes with no musical depth or substance.

Think of guitar picking like building a house: the structure’s strength and stability depends on the quality of its foundation.

Training at slower speeds initially allows you to internalize the correct mechanics, ensuring your eventual speed doesn’t falter under clumsy movements or sloppy technique.

Achieving control over your pick and attaining a rhythmical consistency pave the way for further speed development.

Utilize a metronome to keep time, and, indeed, practice makes perfect.

As you continue to graduate from slow deliberate picking to quicker tempos, you’ll find your fingers maintaining the same accuracy and precision cultivated from your slower practice.

Above all, don’t get disheartened or frustrated if progress seems slow, remember learning to play guitar at a high speed is a journey, not a sprint.

The key lies in being patient and consistent with your practice while focusing on nurturing the correct form and technique.

Because in the end, the journey is worth the destination, as playing guitar is an art that requires time, practice, and dedication to master.

3. Gradually Increase Your Metronome Speed

The process of improving your guitar picking speed does not happen overnight; one of the best strategies is to gradually increase your metronome speed.

Starting with a slow tempo allows you to develop a solid foundation in playing accurately and consistently.

Working at a slower speed also enables you to be more intentional with the motions of your picking hand, providing an opportunity to iron out any bad habits that may be hindering your progression.

Every practice session, aim to increase your metronome speed by a few beats per minute (bpm).

It’s important to keep your practice session at a challenging yet manageable pace, avoid rushing the process.

This approach of incremental increases will ensure your hand becomes accustom to the increased speed, thereby improving your overall guitar picking speed over time.

Increasing the metronome speed gradually allows time for your muscles and brain to adapt to the new tempo, contributing to a flawless technique at higher speeds.

Pushing your practice speed will typically result in making more errors, but don’t be discouraged.

Every mistake you make is a learning opportunity – it shows you where you are struggling and allows you to focus on those areas.

Once you start seeing improvements in your ability to play at faster tempos, you will also start to notice an increase in your guitar picking speed.

If you need help ramping up your metronome speed during guitar practice, there is a useful resource you can use.

Metronome speed ramp 50-100bpm Crush your Guitar Speed by going slow to fast

By watching this video, you’ll get a clear and concise demonstration of how to effectively increase your metronome speed from 50 to 100 bpm.

The demonstrator in the video clearly explains how to perform this speed ramp, making it easy for you to incorporate this strategy into your practice routine.

Regardless of your current picking speed, always remember that persistence is key.

Going back to the key point, it’s important to remember the essence of gradual increments in picking speed.

The aim of this strategy, in the long run, is not only to increase your speed but also to enhance your overall picking technique.

More so, this methodical approach will also help to increase your endurance, so you can play at fast speeds for longer periods of time.

As you gradually increase your metronome speed, don’t forget to always keep an eye on your picking technique, ensuring it remains accurate and efficient.

In doing so, you’ll no doubt find that your guitar picking speed will continue to improve.

4. Use a Pick that Suits Your Style

When you are practicing to increase your guitar picking speed, it’s essential to use a pick that suits your style.

The pick, also known as a plectrum, plays a significant role in determining the sound, volume, speed, and overall feel of your guitar playing.

Different guitar picks offer unique tonal qualities and playability, so it’s essential to choose the right one for your guitar playing style.

Some guitarists prefer thin picks as they help with strumming and acoustic playing, but they might not be the best option when you are trying to achieve speed.

Thick picks, on the other hand, offer more precision and control, making them a better option for fast picking.

Another factor to consider while choosing your pick is the material.

Picks can be made from a variety of materials like nylon, plastic, wood, etc., each offering different levels of flexibility and tonal qualities.

Finding the pick that best suits your style could involve a process of trial and error and experimenting with different picks until you find the one that feels the best.

The right pick becomes an extension of your fingers, aiding in your speed and control while playing.

This is the reason why many experienced players will often spend a good deal of time to find the pick that works best for them.

But importantly, remember that your pick should enhance your technique, not define it.

Speed comes from practice and technique

Even the best pick can’t compensate for poor technique or inadequate practice.

So, while it’s crucial to find a suitable pick, also make sure that you put in the time and effort to work on your picking technique.

An excellent pick combined with good technique and sufficient practice can make all the difference when it comes to improving your guitar picking speed.

Investing in quality picks, and taking the time to find one that matches your style, can thus pay off in a big way.

5. Incorporate sweep-picking in your practice.

When learning how to improve your guitar picking speed, one crucial technique to incorporate into your practice routine is sweep picking.

This method of playing requires a specific motion whereby the pick is ‘swept’ across the strings in a quick, fluid motion, often allowing players to perform arpeggios at high speeds.

While at first, sweep picking might seem quite challenging, with consistent, focused practice, it can significantly contribute to improving your overall picking speed.

Mastering sweep picking is an essential step towards increasing your guitar picking speed.

This technique not only increases your speed but also improves your ability to move between strings smoothly and fluidly, which is critical to playing fast solos and riffs.

As sweep picking often involves playing arpeggios, it also serves the dual purpose of developing your understanding and use of harmony on the guitar.

It’s worth mentioning here that sweep picking, although powerful, does not replace other picking techniques such as economy picking or alternate picking but serves to complement them, offering you a greater range of options to enhance your speed.

SWEEP PICKING for Beginners | The 5 BEST Exercises!

In the video provided, you’ll get to see these principles in action with step-by-step exercises designed to help you master the technique of sweep picking.

You’ll also get a clear understanding of how sweep picking can help optimize your guitar picking for speed.

Sweep picking can be complex and takes time to master; it involves syncopating your picking hand and fretting hand just right to create a seamless sweeping motion.

However, with time, patience and consistent practice, it can be a transformative technique for your guitar playing speed and fluidity.

Given the multifaceted benefits of sweep picking, it’s a valuable technique to integrate into your practice routine, even if it seems challenging in the beginning.

Remember to start slow, focusing on accuracy and synchronization between both hands before gradually increasing speed.

Regular practice will undoubtedly lead to an improvement in your picking speed.

6. Practice Economy Picking for Efficiency

Practicing economy picking is one strategy that guitar players use to increase their guitar picking speed.

This technique aims to reduce the motion and effort required to pick strings, making it more efficient than alternative picking.

Most notably, economy picking involves a combination of alternate picking and sweep picking.

In this technique, when changing from one string to the next, if the next string is in the same direction as the motion of the pick, the player uses a sweep picking motion.

Economy picking effectively reduces unnecessary movements, allows for a more fluid technique, and can significantly increase picking speed when mastered.

Supporting this technique, it’s important to note that economy picking is not simply an easier version of other picking techniques.

Rather, it’s a more efficient method that requires practice to master.

A key component of economy picking is ‘inside’ and ‘outside’ picking, which refers to the motion of the pick between two strings.

In ‘inside picking,’ the motion is trapped between two strings, while in ‘outside picking,’ the motion goes outside the two strings.

The source of efficiency in economy picking is in minimising the ‘inside picking’ motion.

Applying economy picking, you should focus on playing two or more notes per string patterns, as economy picking is most effective in these scenarios.

Nevertheless, it’s worth noting that like any other technique, economy picking seeks not to replace, but to enhance your repertoire of guitar techniques.

Remember to practice both alternate and economy picking as they cater to different musical contexts.

With the former being more suitable for single note per string passages and the latter for multiple note per string passages.

While at first, it might seem confusing to switch between alternate and economy picking, with practice, you’ll be able to make the transition seamlessly.

In the quest to improving your guitar picking speed, embracing economy picking as a technique is a valuable strategy.

No single strategy is universally better, but instead, they each have their distinct advantages that can be used effectively in different contexts.

7. Work on Finger Flexibility Exercises

One key aspect to improving your guitar picking speed is extensively working on your finger flexibility exercises.

This strategy encompasses regularly lightening your touch when engaging the fretboard and loosening up your finger joints.

These exercises aim to enhance your finger independence, which is a crucial factor in achieving faster and cleaner picking.

Notably, practice does not necessarily mean playing songs or pieces.

It revolves around intensively focusing on predetermined exercises designed to develop your technical abilities in a much quicker way than just playing songs.

Deliberate and focused exercise increases your finger flexibility, enabling you to pick faster and more accurately.

Remember to regularly engage in these exercises, making them a routine part of your practice sessions.

Moreover, maintaining a consistent practice routine for your finger flexibility will prevent muscle strain and injury, which can impede your progress.

Guitar Player Finger Stretching Exercises To Stretch And Strengthen Fingers and Wrist

The embedded video above offers a highly effective series of exercises that can see your fingers stretching and strengthening in no time at all.

Watching and following this video will enhance your understanding of proper techniques, ensuring you apply them correctly in your practice to achieve optimal results.

In addition to these exercises, always make a point to warm up before commencing any rigorous practice session.

Solid wrist and finger warm-up exercises not only enhance your agility and speed, but also reduce the risk of tendinitis and other repetitive strain injuries.

Furthermore, the effectiveness of finger flexibility exercises is maximized when paired with proper finger positioning.

In your practice, pay keen attention to how your fingers are placed on the fretboard, striving to minimize unnecessary movements.

Avoid applying too much pressure on the strings, as this can lead to inefficient movements, and ultimately, limit your picking speed.

Even as you focus on speed, never forget the importance of accuracy. Faster picking devoid of clarity and precision does not equate to music.

In conclusion, finger flexibility exercises play an integral role in your journey to becoming a faster guitar picker, but they must be approached correctly and consistently for the best results.

8. Regularly Perform Speed Drills

One of the most important strategies to enhance your guitar picking speed is by regularly practicing speed drills.

You can allocate a certain portion of your daily practice time to carry out speed drills.

These types of exercises can help you increase your dexterity and improve your agility.

Choose speed drills that involve both alternate and economy picking.

This will ensure that you’re getting a comprehensive workout that enhances all areas of your picking technique.

It’s important to note that practicing speed drills doesn’t mean speeding up without control.

The idea is to gradually increase your speed while still maintaining precision and accuracy.

Try starting with a metronome speed that allows you to play the exercise perfectly and effortlessly.

Then, incrementally increase the metronome’s speed, always ensuring that your playing remains clean and precise.

Speed drills not only help to improve your picking speed, but they also help increase your fingers’ strength and endurance.

Applying regular speed drills in your practice routine can significantly improve your picking technique and overall guitar playing speed.

Keep in mind that speed isn’t everything when it comes to guitar playing.

While it’s important to dedicate time to speed drills, it’s equally crucial to balance these exercises with other aspects of your practice.

A well-rounded practice routine is essential for achieving true mastery of the guitar.

Speed drills are an effective way to break through any technical limitations that might be holding you back.

However, they should be used as a tool, not as an end in itself.

With consistent practice and determination, you’ll notice a substantial improvement in your picking speed and overall guitar performance.

9. Practice with Different Guitar Pick Types

When it comes to improving your guitar picking speed, the type of pick you use can make a significant difference.

Different picks have varying thicknesses, shapes, and materials, all of which can impact your playing style and speed.

From heavy to thin, large to small, rounded to pointed, each pick type serves a different purpose and offers unique benefits.

A heavier pick, for example, might be better suited for fast, precise picking because of its stiffness.

In contrast, a thinner pick might be more flexible, which can make strumming easier, but might not be as efficient for rapid picking.

Similarly, the material of your pick can also play a vast role in your picking performance.

For instance, a nylon pick offers more flexibility, while a celluloid pick provides a more traditional feel and a fuller tone.

More so, there are also picks made out of metal, wood, and even stone for various tonal characteristics.

Each of these materials has a different level of grip, flexibility, and durability that can massively affect your picking speed and control.

Moreover, the shape of the pick can also make a difference.

Sharp-pointed picks allow for more speed and precision, while round edged picks deliver a smoother sound.

They each have their unique advantages and are suited to different styles of music.

Understanding the characteristics and benefits of different pick types will allow you to make an informed decision when selecting a pick that complements your picking style and boosts your speed.

How To Choose A Guitar Pick - Plectrums Explained!

Practicing with different pick types isn’t merely about swapping one pick for another; it’s about understanding and adapting to the unique feel and response of each pick.

Explore the varying thicknesses, materials, and shapes by trying out different picks and taking note of how each one influences your picking speed and ease.

This hands-on experience will enable you to discern which pick types best facilitate your picking speed and overall performance.

Remember, there’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to guitar picks, and you might find that different scenarios or music styles require different picks.

By mastering the ability to play with different pick types, you’re also enabling yourself to adapt and perform under varying circumstances no matter the speed requirement.

It might be helpful to consider the points covered in the video above.

The embedded video provides a great starting point for understanding the characteristics of different pick types and how they affect your performance.

Observing the techniques and demonstrations will aid in implementing these strategies into your own practice for improved speed and proficiency.

10. Focus on Your Picking Motion

One of the most critical aspects of improving your guitar picking speed is focusing deeply on your picking motion.

Understanding the mechanics of your picking movement and refining it can make a noticeable difference in your playing speed.

Your picking motion involves a combination of wrist and forearm movements.

It may seem insignificant at first, but the way you move your hand while picking can dramatically impact your efficiency and therefore your speed.

An effective way to start refining your picking motion is by paying attention to the amount of motion you use when picking a string.

Is it large and exaggerated?

If so, this could be hindering your speed.

Remember that the smaller the movement, the faster you can move to the next note.

Therefore, minimizing your picking motion is essential to becoming a faster guitarist.

The best guitarists do not waste movement.

Eliminate any unnecessary motions and be as fluid and efficient as possible when picking the strings.

This quote brings to light the importance of efficiency in guitar picking.

Wasted or unnecessary movement results in slower speeds and less fluid playing.

This is why it’s crucial to focus on refining your picking motion to be as efficient and fluid as possible.

Another point to consider is the angle at which you hold your pick.

Aiming for a 45-degree angle against the strings can result in smoother, fast picking.

Also, your pick should glide over the strings with minimal resistance.

If you’re digging into the strings too much, this can cause unnecessary tension and slow you down.

Practicing the motion in front of a mirror can be beneficial.

This way, you can observe your technique more closely and make the necessary adjustments.

Diligently focusing on these aspects of your picking motion will lead to a smoother, faster, and more accurate guitar picking speed—and remember, practice makes perfect.

It is important to keep in mind that changing your picking motion can take time.

It may feel uncomfortable initially, but with consistent diligence and patience, you’re sure to improve your speed.

Another important tip is to maintain a relaxed hand and wrist while working on your picking technique.

Tension can not only temper your speed but also lead to unnecessary stress injuries.

Don’t forget to take breaks when practicing these strategies.

Constant practice with no break can lead to hand fatigue which ultimately slows your picking speed down.

Finally, remember to be patient with yourself.

Improving your guitar picking speed isn’t something that will happen overnight.

It requires focused effort, patience, and persistence.

Progress might be slow at first, but rest assured, the speed will eventually come as you continue to refine your picking motion and habits.

11. Keep your picking hand relaxed

When working on improving your guitar picking speed, it’s extremely crucial to understand the role of your picking hand.

Your picking hand, not your fretting hand, plays a major part in determining your picking speed and overall agility on the fretboard.

One common mistake many guitarists make is tensing up their picking hand in an attempt to play faster.

Tension in your muscles interferes with your speed and also leads to quick fatigue and strain, this can make mastering fast picking quite challenging.

Keeping your picking hand relaxed is your pathway to smoothly achieving the speed you want without compromising your comfort or risking injury.

When your hand is relaxed, your muscles will move freely and you will be able to hit the strings with great ease and precision.

Tension in your muscles interferes with your speed and also leads to quick fatigue and strain, this can make mastering fast picking quite challenging.

This simple, yet often ignored, technique plays a crucial role in guitar playing.

Relaxed muscles are more efficient and less prone to errors, making way for a better and fast picking ability.

Practicing this, although seemingly simple, requires a lot of discipline and focus since tension seems to creep in, especially when battling challenging guitar scales or licks.

Concentrate on your picking hand while you play and pay attention to any signs of tension.

Should you notice any, deliberately force your hand to relax and continue playing.

With time, this will become automatic, and your hand will stay relaxed throughout your performance.

Remember, relaxation doesn’t mean a loose grip or sloppy playing.

Keep your pick firm without squeezing it too hard, and maintain your position all through.

A relaxed picking hand involves relaxed muscles and not a loose hand.

You can also indulge in various exercises that promote hand relaxation like yoga, meditative practices or hand stretches before and after your practice sessions.

This could help in maintaining a relaxed state and improve your guitar playing.

Guthrie Govan on Relaxed Picking Technique

For further insights, the embedded video provides valuable tips on achieving this relaxed state while picking.

The instructor, a seasoned guitarist, demonstrates how to adopt a relaxed picking hand and manners to ensure your hand remains relaxed throughout the performance.

Taking the time to perfect this aspect of your guitar playing is unquestionably worthwhile.

Through practice and focus, you will achieve a relaxed picking hand, which will, in turn, result in a noticeable improvement in your guitar picking speed.

Remember, good things take time!

A relaxed picking hand not only improves your picking speed.

It also enhances your overall playing technique and minimizes the risk of injuries, making it a vital strategy for every dedicated guitarist.

12. Optimize Pick Angle for Maximum Speed

When it comes to improving your guitar picking speed, an often overlooked but critical factor is the angle at which you hold your pick.

Many guitarists focus primarily on the speed and accuracy of their pick strokes, while neglecting the importance of the way they’re physically holding their pick.

Simply put, the angle at which you hold your pick can significantly impact the speed at which you can play.

This isn’t just about comfort, though that is a large part of it – the ideal pick angle can also increase the efficiency and speed of your picking.

Furthermore, a correct pick angle minimizes friction and resistance as you move across the strings, thus facilitating faster picking.

Whether you play with a flat pick or use your fingers, reducing the amount of resistance your pick or fingers encounter when moving between strings can lead to vast improvements in your picking speed.

Correct pick angle is about maximizing the efficiency of your movements and minimizing unnecessary resistance, thus paving the way for enhanced speed.

In this context, maximizing efficiency refers to the fact that with the correct pick angle, your hand has to do less work.

With less resistance, your fingers and wrist aren’t working as hard to move the pick across the strings.

This can allow for faster, more consistent, and smoother playing.

Although this might seem complicated, it’s actually fairly simple.

As a general rule of thumb, the pick should make contact with the string at a slight angle, not head-on.

The pick should glide over the strings, not get stuck on them.

When attempting to find your optimal pick angle, there’s a simple exercise you can do.

Start playing a single string with your preferred pick with the pick held at different angles, and notice how the speed and texture of your sound changes.

This hands-on experimentation can help you understand and apply the concept of optimizing picking angles more effectively.

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to finding your ideal pick angle.

Different players, playing styles, and genres of music may require slightly different pick angles for the best balance of speed, volume, tone, and comfort.

However, it’s important to note that if your picking speed isn’t improving despite your best efforts – or if you’re experiencing discomfort or pain when playing – it might be worth re-evaluating your pick angle.

In some cases, small adjustments could make a big difference to your playing comfort and speed.

So bear in mind, to optimize your picking speed, it’s not just about how fast you can move your hand back and forth.

It’s also about the seemingly small details like the angle at which you hold your pick.

Even tiny adjustments can potentially open up a whole new level of speed and technical ability.

Optimizing your pick angle is one of many strategies you can use to improve your guitar picking speed.

It might seem minor, but it’s an essential factor, and one you can easily experiment with and adjust until you find your personal optimal angle.

A few changes here can lead to significant improvements in your overall playing speed.

13. Use Small Wrist Movements While Picking

One of the less discussed but vitally important aspects of enhancing your guitar picking speed is the technique of using small wrist movements.

Many beginners and even seasoned players get trapped in the belief that powerful strumming or picking comes from larger movements of the hand or arm; this is a misconception.

By focusing on smaller, more controlled movements of the wrist, you can develop a quicker and more efficient picking style.

This is because smaller movements require less energy and time, hence, increasing overall speed.

Focusing on smaller, more controlled movements of the wrist, can develop a quicker and more efficient picking style.

This technique is backed by scientific principles suggesting that smaller movements performed quickly can create greater speed and control in guitar playing.

Implementing and mastering this technique can be challenging initially, but with regular, consistent practice, it becomes easier and more natural.

The benefits go beyond developing speed but also improving the precision of your picking and reducing the risk of hand and wrist fatigue.

Mastering this skill requires patience, tireless practice, and a focus on precision over speed.

Here’s a valuable visual resource that might help in better understanding of the concept:

STOP Picking Like This (USE YOUR WRIST!)

In this video, you’ll witness a practical demonstration of the impact of small wrist movements on picking efficiency.

It will provide insights about how these movements can make your strumming sound more clean and crisp.

So, instead of only focusing on how fast your fingers can move, shift your attention to the finesse of your wrist movements.

Remember, the goal is to make better music, not just to pick faster.

Adding this technique to your practice routine will lead to improvements in your overall guitar playing skills, not just speed.

As part of your guitar practice, observing small details like these might seem trivial initially but would eventually make a significant difference to your playing speed.

So, next time you pick up your guitar, make sure you’re equipped with this technique of making small wrist movements while picking.

14. Practice with Various Scales and Modes

Practicing with various scales and modes stands as an exceptional technique to improve your guitar picking speed.

Understanding and implementing different scales and modes can significantly broaden your musical knowledge and guitar playing skills.

Each scale and mode has unique patterns and tones which can help in enhancing your accuracy and speed over time.

The distinct characteristic of each scale and mode gives you the opportunity to practice different finger movements and picking techniques, resulting in an increased picking speed.

By acknowledging this, you enhance your understanding about how different finger movements and picking techniques work in various scenarios.

Playing different scales and modes essentially trains your fingers to perform complex movements with more ease, accuracy, and speed.

For instance, implementing the Major scale or the Dorian mode will challenge your fingers in dissimilar ways, pushing you to learn and adapt quickly.

Practicing with different scales can also aid in developing good finger positioning and aid with alternate picking speed.

This means that the more comfortable your fingers are at navigating different scales and modes, the faster and more accurately you will be able to pick.

It is also vital to pay attention to your picking hand throughout the practice.

Remember to keep your hand relaxed and stable, as unnecessary tension can hinder speed and make your playing sound off.

There’s an intrinsic value in practicing with a metronome as you work through different scales and modes.

Using a metronome enables you to monitor your progress, as you can gradually increase the pace at which you play, and thus improve your guitar picking speed.

Incorporating daily practice with various scales and modes in your routine will unquestionably advance your guitar picking speed.

It is a process that requires patience and consistency, but the payoff is immense and rewarding.

Whether you’re an amateur or seasoned guitarist, enhancing your picking speed through practicing different scales and modes can significantly take your guitar playing to the next level.

15. Focus on Accuracy, Then Speed

When it comes to enhancing your guitar picking speed, employing the right strategies is crucial.

One of the most effective tactics is focusing on accuracy before speed.

This approach can seem counterintuitive initially, particularly if your primary objective is to increase your speed.

However, it’s highly effective because it helps to establish a solid base for your technique, which will eventually enhance your speed.

Aiming for precision first helps you correct any technical issues and improves your overall proficiency.

“Accuracy lays the groundwork for speed: it helps enhance hand coordination, assists in the development of muscle memory, and builds a solid foundation for your technique.”

This quote illustrates the importance of precision in picking and how it serves as a foundation for improving speed.

When you prioritize accuracy, you’re likely to gain speed naturally over time as your muscle memory kicks in and your hands become more accustomed to the motions.

Additionally, focusing on accuracy first reduces the chances of making mistakes when you start playing at higher speeds.

In other words, by focusing on accuracy first, you optimize your playing in such a way that increasing your speed becomes much easier.

Guitar Exercises For Speed And Accuracy

By watching the video provided, you can gain practical insights into guitar practices to enhance your accuracy, which in turn will elevate your speed.

The video serves as a supplementary resource that offers visual aids, examples, and valuable tips that can aid you in your journey to improving your guitar picking speed.

However, focusing on accuracy doesn’t mean you disregard speed completely.

As your accuracy improves and you become more comfortable with your technique, you should gradually introduce speed into your practice.

This balance between accuracy and speed is crucial to optimizing your practice sessions and achieving your guitar speed goals.

Incorporating exercises that emphasize coordination and precision effectively enhance your ability to pick accurately.

Particular exercises train your hands to work together smoothly, increase your picking accuracy, and ultimately lead to much-improved guitar picking speed.

Lastly, it’s essential to remember that progress requires patience and consistent practice.

No matter how tempting it might be to focus on speed, concentrating on accuracy first will make the whole process more efficient and rewarding.

So keep practicing, stay patient, remain focused on accuracy, and your guitar picking speed will undoubtedly improve over time.

16. Learn to Play Without Looking

The art of playing an instrument like a guitar is, to a large extent, a physical activity.

However, it often involves a huge mental component that is sometimes overlooked.

One of these mental aspects is the ability to play without constantly looking at your hands.

When starting out, you may find yourself compulsively glancing at your hands to know where you’re placing your fingers.

This is a normal part of learning the guitar.

However, as you seek to improve your guitar picking speed, it is important to train yourself to play without looking.

It may sound impossible at first but the benefits are immense.

When you can play without looking, your attention can be wholly devoted to the music, increasing your overall performance.

How then do you go about this?

One effective method is to use muscle memory.

When practicing a particular lick or riff, play it over and over again until your fingers can land on the notes instinctively, without the need for your eyes.

Another method involves the use of other senses like touch and hearing.

“Use tactile markers on your guitar fretboard to identify positions without having to look.”

These tactile markers could be strings, frets or even the edge of your guitar.

When your fingers touch these markers, they would know where they are even without your eyes.

Also, use your hearing senses.

Listen to the sound of the note being plucked to confirm its correctness

Also, take advantage of mirror neurons.

This fancy neuroscientific term means that you can improve your skills by observing others perform them.

Try watching other guitarists play without looking.

You may be shocked at how watching alone might help you improve.

Remember that nobody starts out being able to play without looking.

It’s a skills that’s developed over time with consistent practice.

While trying these methods, it’s important to be patient with yourself.

The process may seem slow but the key is constant practice.

With time, you would find that your picking speed has not only improved, but your overall guitar playing skills too.

However, note that it’s not wrong to look at your hand every once in a while while playing, especially when transitioning from one difficult position to another.

The goal is to reduce the dependency on your eyes.

So start now.

Take your guitar, pick a note, a chord or a song and try playing it without looking.

It might be a bit rocky at first, but with time, you’ll be amazed at the progress you’ve made.

17. Consistently Change Up Your Routines.

In the journey to improve your guitar picking speed, it’s essential to consistently change up your routines.

This might seem counterintuitive as repetitive practice often promises mastery.

However, sticking to the same routine can lead to stagnation and halt your progress.

Switching up your exercises keeps your practice sessions fresh and engaging.

It prevents the complacency that can creep in when you keep repeating the same patterns.

In other words, it keeps you on your toes and promotes continuous learning.

By constantly changing your routines, you’re always introducing your fingers to new challenges.

It pushes your boundaries and forces your fingers to adapt to different movements and speeds.

This dynamic practice can result in quicker overall improvement in your picking speed.

By constantly changing your routines, you’re always introducing your fingers to new challenges.

That was no ordinary statement.

The idea is that these new challenges would inevitably condition and revitalize your hands and fingers, and get them used to switching between different speeds and movements.

In essence, it’s like teaching them to become fast adapters – which is an asset in playing the guitar, or any musical instrument for that matter.

To change your practice routine effectively, it’s recommended to combine different picking techniques like alternate picking, sweep picking, and economy picking in your routine.

Also, make sure to practice with different scales and modes.

Diversifying your practice in this way can bring you earnest results in your speed.

When changing your routine, you should start slowly with the new material and then gradually increase your speed.

It’s the same principle as when you start learning a new song or technique – you need to develop your coordination first before you can bring it up to speed.

For example, If you have been practicing alternate picking for a few weeks, you might want to add sweep picking to the mix.

Start by practicing it slowly, then incrementally increase your speed as you get more comfortable.

Remember to keep your picking hand relaxed throughout these changes.

Muscle tension can slow down your movements and even lead to injury.

So, even as you push your boundaries with these new routines, don’t forget to keep your hand relaxed.

To get a more visual sense of these principles in action, check out this helpful video:

#1 Practice Routine to Rapidly Improve Your Guitar Playing | GuitarZoom VIP

In this visual guide, you’ll likely witness how professionals switch up their routines and the benefits it brings.

It might give you a clear idea of how you can break free from your routine while keeping the process engaging and effective.

Lastly, along with changing your routines, it’s equally important to maintain consistency in practice.

Even as you switch your routines, aim to practice regularly.

This is the stable ground on which you can safely introduce dynamic changes.

The Bottom Line

Ultimately, achieving impressive guitar picking speed isn’t about a mad rush towards being the fastest player.

Rather, it’s a culmination of strategic practice methods, careful attention to individual technique, and a mindset focused on accuracy over speed initially.

From simple practices like alternate picking and the use of the metronome, to the more advanced techniques like sweep-picking, speed drills, and playing without looking; success hinges on a comprehensive approach to guitar practice.

It’s crucial not to overlook the role of having the right tools such as a suitable picking type and understanding the importance of the picking motion.

Consistency, a relaxed approach, and continuous attempts to diversify and challenge your routines and skills will propel you towards mastering guitar picking speed.

Above all, remember that progress takes time, patience, and practice.

With persistent effort and commitment, you’re well on your way to becoming a faster and more efficient guitar picker.