How to Play Fast Guitar Runs

You can play fast runs on a guitar by practicing some specific techniques.

Fast guitar runs are series of notes that are played rapidly, usually as part of a fill or solo. These runs often present great challenges to guitar players. If you've been frustrated by trying to master these rapid progressions unsuccessfully in the past, there are methods of accomplish this task more efficiently.

Instructions

1. Maintain a close distance between your fingers and the frets. If you hold your fingers out from the frets, you will lose time in reaching to get to the strings.

2. Keep your pick close to the strings as well.

3. Spray the guitar strings along the fretboard with a string lubricant. This will reduce friction between your fingers and the strings and allow you to play faster.

4. Break a run down into two- or three-note segments. Learn each segment thoroughly before moving on to the next segment. Trying to play a long run quickly can frustrate you, since this can be a difficult task if the run is new to you. However, if you make the run more manageable by breaking it down, you are more likely to succeed in mastering it.

5. Practice very slowly at first. Build speed as you go. Do not play more quickly than you can play accurately. It often takes time to build "muscle memory," a skill that allows your fingers to move almost automatically to their positions within the run.

6. Relax the muscles in your hands and arms. Tight muscles can lead to fatigue and slow your playing.

References

• Clever Joe: The Secret of Speed- Finding Incredible Lightness