How to Move Faster on a Fretboard

The fretboard is located on the neck of the guitar.

Having swift fingers when playing the guitar is a quality that separates many professional pickers from amateurs. Moving across the fretboard quickly and accurately is a skill that you can learn through consistent practice. Being able to fret notes and chords quickly allows you to play faster songs and concentrate more on vocals or phrasing your guitar licks with greater feeling. You can train yourself to play faster through a series of strategies and tips.

Things You'll Need

• Metronome
• String spray

Instructions

1. Learn your notes. If you know the locations of notes on the fretboard, you won't waste time trying to remember where to find them.

2. Stretch your fingers before you play. Clench your fingers into fists and release them. Spread your fingers apart as wide as you can for several seconds.

3. Place your index finger on the first fret of the first string. Pick this note (which is an F). Place your middle finger on the third fret and pick that note. Repeat with your ring finger on the third fret and your pinky on the fifth fret. Keep each previous finger in place as you position the next finger. Do this on each string. Start slowly and build speed as you are able. This will help to build strength, accuracy, flexibility and speed.

4. Set a metronome to a relatively slow tempo, such as 60 beats per minute, and play a melody or scale in time with the metronome. Each day, increase the speed of the metronome a little until you are able to master faster speeds.

5. Spray down the fretboard with a string lubricating spray. These sprays reduce the friction between your finger tips and the strings, which helps to increase speed.

References

• Ultimate Guitar: Finger Strength And Speed Building; July 13, 2008
• Access Rock: Guitar Exercises - Strength and Speed