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Paul a great exercise is to run up the scale chromatically keeping your fingers in place till you move to the next string.
This is how it’s done;- start at a fret you are comfortable with let’s say fret 5 now start by fretting the low E string there with your index finger play the A note. Now keep the index finger in place and fret the next note on the same string with your middle finger play the A# note and keep the finger in place. Continue like this for your ring and little finger or pinky in the US. Once you have all notes played move to the 5th or A string starting again at the fifth fret and repeat as you have done on the previous string. Make sure to keep the fingers in place until the fourth note is finished then move to the 4th or D string and then continue like this till you have played all of the strings up to the high E string. Once you have completed that block of notes move to the 6 fret and start all over and keep doing this until you say have got to the 12 th fret.
You want to make sure to play clean sounding notes and concentrate on correct fingering right behind the frets and with as minimal finger movement as you can obtain. Don’t rush it, playing freely and smoothly is what counts. Also don’t strain take a brief rest if you need to. When you are comfortable with playing that you can move to a new starting fret say fret 4 or 3 and keep doing this over a month or two until you can happily start at fret 1 and play up to the twelfth fret or higher, as you choose. It’s a great warm up exercise to start a practice with and if you are particular to do it correctly it will benefit your accuracy and sound markedly in a comparatively short time. It will greatly help in getting to use economy of movement in your fingers if played with concentration to do it right.
I hope that proves of interest and if you take it up let us know how you get on in a month or two.JohnStrat
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I’ve always wondered if it might be helpful for guitarists to learn to play keyboard. I see keyboard players reaching some big stretches as they play, so maybe that helps make the fingers more flexible. As for finger strength, I reckon there’s no substitute for pumping iron in a gym. I go 3 times per week, and just gripping dumbbells and barbells keeps my grip strength as good as it’s going to get. FYI, I am now 83 years old, so if I can do it, so can you.
Sunjamr Steve
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