speed buildinG
CHOOSE YOUR GOAL!
Build Hand Synchronization: 4-Finger Exercise
In the video, we will:
Look at an exercise to improve hand synchronization
Explore different ways we can play it so that we improve various techniques
Daily Exercise: Improving Synchronization
Practice the exercise above with the following video! Adjust your speed as needed.
Make sure your fingers are close to the frets, and that your picking is consistent.
Recommended Speeds:
Beginner: 0.40x
Intermediate: 1.00x
Advanced: 1.40x
You’re Doing This Right When:
You maintain consistent down-up-down-up motions. Your pick doesn’t strike the string before your fingers land on the fret. Your pick cuts easily through the string, and you can stretch all four fingers across a four-fret distance while keeping a straight wrist.
Alternate Picking Coordination: 4-Note Shred Pattern
In this video, we will:
Look at a simple alternate picking lick that uses a scale sequence to travel up and down the fretboard
See that we can use the same motion while changing the notes to keep things simple
Learn a practical way to increase hand synchronization and speed
You can use this pattern on any string, starting on any note!
Daily Exercise: 4-Note Shred Pattern
Practice the lick along with the following video! Adjust your speed as needed.
Make sure your fingers are close to the frets, and that your picking is consistent.
Recommended Speeds:
Beginner: 0.40x
Intermediate: 1.00x
Advanced: 1.40x
You’re Doing This Right When:
You maintain consistent down-up-down-up motions. Your pick doesn’t strike the string before your fingers land on the fret. Your pick cuts easily through the string, and you can stretch all four fingers across a four-fret distance while keeping a straight wrist.
Hand Coordination: 6-Note Shred Pattern
In this video, we will:
Look at a simple alternate picking lick that uses a repeating pattern to create speed in one spot on the neck
Explore different ways to play the lick to improve different techniques.
Learn a practical way to increase hand synchronization and speed
You can use this pattern through any 3-note per string scale!
Daily Exercise: 6-Note Shred Pattern
Practice the lick above with the following video! Adjust your speed as needed.
Make sure your fingers are close to the frets, and that your picking is consistent.
Recommended Speeds:
Beginner: 0.40x
Intermediate: 1.00x
Advanced: 1.40x
You’re Doing This Right When:
You maintain consistent down-up-down-up motions. Your pick doesn’t strike the string before your fingers land on the fret. Your pick cuts easily through the string, and you can stretch all four fingers across a four-fret distance while keeping a straight wrist.
Cross-String Speed: 10-Note Shred Pattern
In this video, we will:
Look at a more advanced alternate picking lick that that creates speed across strings
Explore different ways to play the lick to improve different techniques.
Learn a practical way to increase hand synchronization and speed
You can use this pattern through any 2-note per string scale!
Daily Exercise: 10-Note Shred Pattern
Practice the lick above with the following video! Adjust your speed as needed.
Make sure your fingers are close to the frets, and that your picking is consistent.
Recommended Speeds:
Beginner: 0.40x
Intermediate: 1.00x
Advanced: 1.40x
You’re Doing This Right When:
You maintain consistent down-up-down-up motions. Your pick doesn’t strike the string before your fingers land on the fret. Your pick cuts easily through the string, and you can stretch all four fingers across a four-fret distance while keeping a straight wrist. You maintain note separation without any notes ringing out over each other.
Building Finger Dexterity - “Crossroads Legato”
In this video, we will:
Learn a legato pattern from the movie “Crossroads”
Use different shapes to keep the same pattern going up the neck
Explore a practical way to improve our legato, and learn our minor scale on one string
Daily Exercise: Crossroads Legato
Practice the lick above with the following video! Adjust your speed as needed.
Make sure your fingers are close to the frets, and that you’re picking as few notes as possible..
Recommended Speeds:
Beginner: 0.40x
Intermediate: 1.00x
Advanced: 1.40x
You’re Doing This Right When:
Your hammer-ons and pull-offs are nearly as loud as picked notes, and you are able to keep your volume up throughout the lick without relying on your pick.
Fretboard-Wide Speed: “Satriani-Style” Legato
In this video, we will:
Learn a legato pattern inspired by Joe Satriani
Use the same shape to travel up the neck
Explore a practical way to improve our legato, and learn a repeating pattern that shows up all over the neck
Daily Exercise: Satriani Legato
Practice the lick above with the following video! Adjust your speed as needed.
Make sure your fingers are close to the frets, and sure that you’re picking only the first note of every string.
Recommended Speeds:
Beginner: 0.40x
Intermediate: 1.00x
Advanced: 1.40x
You’re Doing This Right When:
Your hammer-ons and pull-offs are nearly as loud as picked notes, and you are able to keep your volume up throughout the lick without relying on your pick. You keep your first finger down as much as possible for slides except when to change strings, and can maintain a four-to-five fret distance with your fingers at all times while keeping a straight wrist.