Being able to play this instrument allows you to further express yourself through music. Thus, most beginners are often very enthusiastic when it comes to learning – with the proper attitude, interest and dedication; a lot reach a point where they will invariably want to be able to play for longer durations, as well as play faster and more complicated tunes. This is easily done by regular practice and guitar lessons Memorial Houston, especially when trying to master the basic techniques involved. This will speed up playing and enable you to learn more techniques easier, as well as strengthen your fingers so that you will be able to play a whole night's worth of music without compromising your hands. Above all, this will give you more opportunities to work on more than one scale or pattern, enabling you to work diligently in all the manner of techniques involved in playing the guitar. So, here are some tips you need to consider when you are trying to increase your finger strength and speed when playing the guitar:
Tip #1: Know your limits.
While you could be very enthusiastic when it comes to learning how to play guitar, you need to understand that there are things that you can do, given your current skill level, and things you cannot do unless you become better. Setting up a baseline where you begin will definitely allow you to gain more insight and understanding of the things you need to work on, which in turn helps as a measuring mechanism for your progress as you go along. When you are done practicing for the day, you need to note your metronome markings for each example, then try to take note of the things that are easy as well as those you find difficult.
Tip #2: Do some stretches.
As with any physical activity, stretches are very important before starting to play. Do not ever try to pick up your guitar and just launch yourself to a solo without stretching your hands and arm muscles. Actually, playing the guitar could be one of the most exertive tasks you can do with your fingers, hands and forearms. Stretching can definitely help in keeping the required muscles loose and limber. This also increases their flexibility and warms up your muscle tissues and joint fluids. There are a lot of guitarists out there who skip this. Do not be like them because it will definitely hurt and lead to serious consequences in the long run.
Before picking the guitar, you need to relax the flexors by pulling each finger out to the count of ten. Make sure that each finger, including the thumb, is stretched out individually. Each finger should be bent back as long as the stretch is comfortable, holding it for a few seconds. Your thumb should then be bent toward your wrist, at the same time down toward your palm. Your fretting hand should be more prioritized first. After that, try to pretend like you are typing on a keyboard in the air as fast as you can within a minute. This promotes blood circulation to your fingertips. Roll your wrists clockwise then counterclockwise, spreading your fingers and thumb to the shape of a star until it is wide enough, then release.
For your wrists and forearms, start a great stretch by putting your palms together before your chest. Lift your elbows up and out to your sides languidly to bend your wrists. Hold it for a while until you feel a good stretch. After that, rotate your wrists forward; this way, your fingers will not be pointing at you. Again, hold it until you feel a stretch.
Tip #3: Relax.
Always be loose and avoid getting tense when playing the guitar. This will just strain you more and make it uncomfortable for you in the long run. When you pick, you will be able to play faster and suffer from less muscle strain if you apply lesser tension. Always try not to clench the pick too tightly when the playing gets really fast. Loosen up and you will immediately feel the difference. Additionally, do not pick from your elbow because it could cause injuries that may or may not put you out of playing guitar permanently.
For weak fingers, starting on a fret further up the neck could be a good choice. It is easier to start on the first fret rather than the fifth fret, for instance. It is important to find where you are most comfortable then as the time passes, you could then adjust and move closer to the highest fret. It might take some gumption, so if your fingers are hurting, you need not worry because it will dissipate eventually if you were able to build up strength. Most importantly, you need to stick with playing. Whenever your fingers are sore or tired, you can always take a break and just go back when you are better. Eventually, you will be able to meet the required strength to rock on your favorite pieces!
Tip #1: Know your limits.
While you could be very enthusiastic when it comes to learning how to play guitar, you need to understand that there are things that you can do, given your current skill level, and things you cannot do unless you become better. Setting up a baseline where you begin will definitely allow you to gain more insight and understanding of the things you need to work on, which in turn helps as a measuring mechanism for your progress as you go along. When you are done practicing for the day, you need to note your metronome markings for each example, then try to take note of the things that are easy as well as those you find difficult.
Tip #2: Do some stretches.
As with any physical activity, stretches are very important before starting to play. Do not ever try to pick up your guitar and just launch yourself to a solo without stretching your hands and arm muscles. Actually, playing the guitar could be one of the most exertive tasks you can do with your fingers, hands and forearms. Stretching can definitely help in keeping the required muscles loose and limber. This also increases their flexibility and warms up your muscle tissues and joint fluids. There are a lot of guitarists out there who skip this. Do not be like them because it will definitely hurt and lead to serious consequences in the long run.
Before picking the guitar, you need to relax the flexors by pulling each finger out to the count of ten. Make sure that each finger, including the thumb, is stretched out individually. Each finger should be bent back as long as the stretch is comfortable, holding it for a few seconds. Your thumb should then be bent toward your wrist, at the same time down toward your palm. Your fretting hand should be more prioritized first. After that, try to pretend like you are typing on a keyboard in the air as fast as you can within a minute. This promotes blood circulation to your fingertips. Roll your wrists clockwise then counterclockwise, spreading your fingers and thumb to the shape of a star until it is wide enough, then release.
For your wrists and forearms, start a great stretch by putting your palms together before your chest. Lift your elbows up and out to your sides languidly to bend your wrists. Hold it for a while until you feel a good stretch. After that, rotate your wrists forward; this way, your fingers will not be pointing at you. Again, hold it until you feel a stretch.
Tip #3: Relax.
Always be loose and avoid getting tense when playing the guitar. This will just strain you more and make it uncomfortable for you in the long run. When you pick, you will be able to play faster and suffer from less muscle strain if you apply lesser tension. Always try not to clench the pick too tightly when the playing gets really fast. Loosen up and you will immediately feel the difference. Additionally, do not pick from your elbow because it could cause injuries that may or may not put you out of playing guitar permanently.
For weak fingers, starting on a fret further up the neck could be a good choice. It is easier to start on the first fret rather than the fifth fret, for instance. It is important to find where you are most comfortable then as the time passes, you could then adjust and move closer to the highest fret. It might take some gumption, so if your fingers are hurting, you need not worry because it will dissipate eventually if you were able to build up strength. Most importantly, you need to stick with playing. Whenever your fingers are sore or tired, you can always take a break and just go back when you are better. Eventually, you will be able to meet the required strength to rock on your favorite pieces!
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