How to Play Speed Guitar

Speed guitar isn't just about lightning-fast fingers—it's about precision, control, and expression. It’s what transforms a flurry of notes into something memorable and exciting. Today, we're going to explore the techniques and tips that will help you play speed guitar like a pro. Whether you're a beginner looking to pick up the pace or a seasoned player aiming to refine your skills, let's break it down into manageable steps.

Getting Your Hands in Shape

Before you can play fast, you need to build a solid foundation. Speed guitar demands strength and dexterity in both your fretting and picking hands. Think of your hands like athletes—without proper training, they're prone to injury and inefficiency.

Start with some basic exercises:

• Finger Independence: Place your fingers on the fretboard and practice lifting each one independently. This may sound simple, but it’s vital for developing finger agility.
• Spider Exercise: Play a chromatic pattern, moving each finger one fret at a time up and down the neck. This exercise helps with finger strength and coordination.

Consistency is key. Make these exercises part of your daily routine, and you'll gradually notice improvements in your speed and control. It's like hitting the gym for your fingers!

Perfecting Your Picking Technique

Picking is where the magic happens—or where everything falls apart. Clean, precise picking separates the pros from the rest. There are a few picking techniques you should focus on to improve your speed:

Alternate Picking

This technique involves alternating between downstrokes and upstrokes. Imagine a pendulum swinging back and forth: smooth and relentless. Alternate picking is essential for maintaining speed without sacrificing control. The trick is to make each stroke consistent, using minimal movement.

Economy Picking

Economy picking is about efficiency. It combines alternate picking with sweep picking. For instance, if you're playing two notes on adjacent strings, you use a single downstroke (or upstroke) to play both. This technique minimizes hand movement, allowing you to play faster passages with ease.

Practice these techniques slowly with a metronome, gradually increasing your speed as you become more comfortable. For personalized guidance, our lessons at Riffhard offer detailed exercises from top metal guitarists.

Setting Your Rhythm Straight

Speed means nothing without a solid rhythm. You might hit 200 BPM, but if you're not tight, it’s all for naught. Rhythm is the backbone of speed guitar playing, and here's how you can tighten yours:

• Metronome Practice: The metronome is your best friend. Start slow and gradually increase the tempo. This helps internalize the beat.
• Subdivision Drills: Play eighth notes, triplets, and sixteenth notes over a steady beat. This improves your timing and rhythm understanding.

Developing a strong sense of rhythm allows you to play fast passages cleanly and consistently. Remember, it’s not just about speed; it’s about precision.

Understanding Scales and Modes

Speed guitar isn’t just about playing fast; it’s also about knowing what to play. Understanding scales and modes gives you the vocabulary to express yourself musically.

Major and Minor Scales

These are the backbone of Western music. Mastering them gives you a foundation for improvisation and composition. Practice playing them in different positions across the neck.

Modes

Modes offer a different flavor to your playing. The Dorian, Phrygian, and Lydian modes are popular in metal. Understanding modes can drastically change the mood of your solos and riffs.

For those looking to dive deeper, our Riffhard lessons cover scales and modes extensively, helping you expand your musical vocabulary.

Phrasing: Making Your Notes Sing

Playing fast is impressive, but playing fast with good phrasing is where you'll stand out. Phrasing is how you shape and color your notes, making them sing rather than scream.

• Use Vibrato: Adding vibrato to sustained notes gives them life. Experiment with different widths and speeds.
• Bends: A well-executed bend can add emotion and tension to your playing.
• Slides: Use slides to connect phrases smoothly. They can add a vocal quality to your playing.

Listen to your favorite guitarists and pay attention to their phrasing. Try to emulate it, and then add your twist. Phrasing is unique to each player, so find what works best for you.

Building Speed with Precision

Now that you have the basics down, let's focus on building speed without sacrificing accuracy. The goal is to play cleanly at high speeds, not just to hit the notes.

• Slow Practice: It might sound counterintuitive, but practicing slowly helps you identify and correct mistakes. Once you can play a passage perfectly at a slow tempo, gradually increase the speed.
• Use a Metronome: Set a comfortable tempo and increase it incrementally. This helps you maintain control as you speed up.

Remember, speed is a byproduct of precision. Focus on playing cleanly, and the speed will come naturally.

Incorporating Speed into Your Solos

Speed is not just for show; it’s a tool to enhance your solos. Here’s how to incorporate it effectively:

• Strategic Placement: Use speed in bursts to highlight specific parts of your solo. This creates contrast and keeps the listener engaged.
• Dynamics: Vary your volume and attack when playing fast. This adds depth and prevents your playing from sounding monotonous.

Think of speed as a spice; use it to enhance your solos, not overpower them. Our Riffhard instructors provide insights into crafting solos that balance speed with musicality.

Dealing with Common Challenges

Every guitarist faces challenges when learning speed guitar. Here are a few common issues and how to overcome them:

• Tension: Playing fast often leads to tension in your hands and arms. Regularly check your posture and hand position, and practice relaxation techniques.
• Inaccuracy: If you’re missing notes, slow down and focus on precision. Use a metronome to keep your timing in check.
• Plateaus: If you feel stuck, change your routine. Introduce new exercises, learn a challenging song, or take a lesson with one of our Riffhard instructors.

Patience and persistence are key. Overcoming these challenges will improve your playing and make you a more versatile guitarist.

Using Riffhard to Boost Your Skills

It’s one thing to learn on your own, but having guidance can accelerate your progress. That’s where Riffhard comes in. With lessons from some of the best metal guitarists, you’ll have access to techniques and insights that can transform your playing.

Our interactive player features adjustable tempos, allowing you to slow down lessons and practice at your own pace. And with downloadable tabs and Guitar Pro files, you can learn anywhere, anytime.

We also offer a custom metronome and a bi-weekly lesson plan, ensuring you stay on track and continuously improve. Whether you’re working on rhythm or lead guitar, Riffhard has something for you.

Final Thoughts

Speed guitar is about more than just fast fingers; it's about precision, control, and expression. With practice and patience, you can develop the skills to play fast and clean. At Riffhard, we offer lessons from top metal guitarists to help you achieve your goals. Whether you’re focusing on rhythm, lead, or both, we're here to support your journey. Keep practicing, stay patient, and enjoy the process!