How to Pick Guitar Strings Fast

Speed is the name of the game when it comes to shredding riffs and smoking solos, especially in genres like metal and its intense subgenres. But getting those fingers flying across the strings with precision is no easy feat. If you're struggling to pick guitar strings fast without sacrificing clarity and accuracy, you're not alone. Let's break down some techniques and tips that can help you pick up the pace without losing control.

Understanding the Basics of Picking Techniques

Before you start blazing through scales and riffs like a pro, it's important to nail down the fundamentals of picking techniques. The foundation of fast picking lies in how you hold your pick and move your wrist. For most guitarists, a medium to heavy pick works best for fast picking as it provides the right balance of control and precision.

When holding the pick, try to use a grip that's firm yet relaxed. Imagine you're holding a small pebble between your thumb and index finger. You want enough tension to keep the pick steady, but not so much that your hand is tense. This is crucial because tension can slow you down and even lead to injury over time.

Now, let's talk about wrist motion. The movement should come from the wrist rather than the fingers or the entire arm. This allows for quicker and more controlled picking. A good exercise is to practice small, circular motions with your wrist while holding the pick. This will help you develop the muscle memory needed for speed picking.

It's also worth mentioning the importance of pick angle. Tilting the pick slightly as it strikes the string can reduce resistance, making it easier to glide across the strings. Experiment with different angles to see what feels most comfortable and efficient for your style.

Metronome Magic: Timing and Rhythm

A metronome is your best friend when it comes to improving speed and accuracy. Start at a slow tempo where you can comfortably play the passage without mistakes. Once you're consistent, gradually increase the tempo. This process may feel tedious, but it's essential for building speed without sacrificing precision.

One effective method is the "burst" technique. This involves playing a passage slowly, then suddenly increasing the speed for a short burst before returning to the slower tempo. This trains your fingers to move quickly while still maintaining control. Over time, you'll find that your comfortable playing speed naturally increases.

Using a metronome also helps improve your sense of timing, which is crucial in fast playing. Whether you're playing a thrash metal riff or a complex djent groove, staying in time is what keeps the music tight and powerful.

Our custom metronome at Riffhard is designed specifically for guitar practice, allowing you to tailor beats and tempos to match your practice needs. It's an excellent tool for both beginner and advanced players aiming to improve their speed and precision.

Alternate Picking: Your Secret Weapon

Alternate picking is a fundamental technique for fast guitar playing. It involves striking the strings with a downstroke followed by an upstroke. This back-and-forth motion is efficient and helps maintain a consistent rhythm.

Start with simple exercises like playing scales or chromatic runs using alternate picking. Focus on keeping the motion smooth and even. As you become more comfortable, increase the complexity of the patterns you practice. This could include string skipping exercises or incorporating hammer-ons and pull-offs.

One challenge with alternate picking is maintaining precision when crossing strings. A common mistake is to pick too hard or too soft, leading to uneven volume and clarity. Pay attention to your dynamics and strive for a consistent sound across all strings.

For those looking for more structured guidance, Riffhard offers lessons from top-tier metal guitarists who specialize in rhythm and lead techniques, including alternate picking. These lessons can provide valuable insights and exercises to help refine your picking technique.

Economy Picking: Smoothing Out the Edges

Economy picking is a technique that combines the benefits of alternate and sweep picking. It allows for smoother transitions between strings by using the same directional pick stroke when moving to an adjacent string. For example, if you end a downstroke on one string, you would use another downstroke to strike the next string. This minimizes motion and increases efficiency.

Practicing economy picking can be tricky at first, especially if you're used to strict alternate picking. Start with simple three-note-per-string scales and focus on the transitions. The goal is to make the movement as fluid as possible.

Once you get the hang of it, economy picking can be a game-changer for speed and fluidity. It allows for faster playing with less effort, making it ideal for complex passages and fast solos.

It's worth noting that economy picking isn't suitable for every musical context. Some riffs and licks may require the precision of alternate picking, while others benefit from the smoothness of economy picking. Experiment with different techniques to find what works best for each piece.

Downpicking: Building Endurance

Downpicking, or using only downstrokes, is a hallmark of genres like thrash and punk. While it may seem limiting, downpicking provides a powerful, aggressive sound that's hard to achieve with alternate picking.

The key to mastering downpicking is endurance. Start with short, repetitive exercises and gradually increase the duration as your stamina improves. Focus on keeping your wrist relaxed and using small, efficient motions to avoid fatigue.

Many legendary metal guitarists are known for their downpicking prowess. Listening to bands like Metallica and Slayer can provide inspiration and examples of how effective downpicking can be in a musical context.

At Riffhard, we offer lessons specifically focused on building downpicking endurance and technique. These lessons provide targeted exercises and tips from some of the best rhythm guitarists in the metal genre.

Palm Muting for Precision and Control

Palm muting is a technique that involves resting the edge of your picking hand lightly on the strings near the bridge. This dampens the strings, creating a tight, percussive sound that's perfect for metal rhythm playing.

When practicing palm muting, pay attention to the amount of pressure you apply. Too much pressure can choke the sound, while too little may not mute the strings effectively. Experiment to find the sweet spot that gives you the desired tone.

Palm muting is especially effective in fast, chugging riffs. It adds clarity and precision, allowing each note to stand out even when played at high speeds. Practice incorporating palm muting into your alternate and economy picking exercises to enhance your overall technique.

For a deeper dive into palm muting and other advanced rhythm techniques, check out the lessons available at Riffhard. Our instructors provide detailed demonstrations and exercises to help you master this essential skill.

String Skipping for Increased Dexterity

String skipping is a technique that involves playing non-adjacent strings in a sequence. It's a great way to increase dexterity and add variety to your playing. This technique is especially useful for creating interesting melodies and licks in fast solos.

Begin with simple exercises that involve skipping one string at a time. Focus on maintaining a consistent picking motion and keeping your fretting hand in sync. As you become more comfortable, increase the complexity by incorporating different rhythms and note patterns.

String skipping requires precise coordination between your picking and fretting hands. It's an excellent way to challenge your existing skills and push your limits. Over time, you'll find that string skipping becomes a natural part of your playing style.

For those looking to expand their repertoire, Riffhard offers lessons on advanced techniques, including string skipping exercises that can help you develop greater control and creativity in your playing.

Developing Finger Independence

Finger independence is crucial for fast, accurate playing. It allows each finger to move freely without being influenced by the others. This is especially important for complex riffs and solos that require intricate finger movements.

One way to develop finger independence is through exercises that isolate each finger. Start by playing simple patterns using different finger combinations. Focus on keeping your fingers relaxed and in control.

Another useful exercise is the "spider" exercise, which involves playing a series of notes across the strings using all four fingers. This helps build strength and coordination, making it easier to tackle difficult passages.

Finger independence is a skill that takes time to develop, but the payoff is significant. As you gain more control over your fingers, you'll find it easier to play fast, intricate passages with precision and accuracy.

Incorporating Legato Techniques

Legato techniques, such as hammer-ons and pull-offs, can add fluidity and speed to your playing without requiring additional pick strokes. These techniques allow you to play multiple notes with a single pick stroke, making them ideal for fast runs and solos.

Start by practicing simple hammer-on and pull-off exercises on individual strings. Focus on creating a smooth, even sound with each note. As you become more comfortable, incorporate these techniques into scales and licks.

Combining legato techniques with picking can create a seamless, flowing sound that's characteristic of many metal solos. Experiment with different combinations to find what works best for your style.

At Riffhard, we offer lessons on legato techniques and how to incorporate them into your playing. Our instructors provide detailed demonstrations and exercises to help you master these essential skills.

Final Thoughts

Picking guitar strings fast without losing precision and control is a challenging yet rewarding skill. By focusing on the right techniques and practicing consistently, you can improve your speed and accuracy. Remember, patience and persistence are key. At Riffhard, we offer lessons from some of the best metal guitarists, providing insights and exercises that can help take your playing to the next level. Happy shredding!