How to gain speed play riffs.

[Dan M]

What finger exersies help limbering up and improve speed when playing?

Thanks

[GnLguy]

Hey Dan

That is one of those questions that is like asking what is the best car to buy or which restaurant has the best cheeseburger. You’ll get a different answer from virtually everyone.

Speed is one thing but accuracy and phrasing is something different and what I feel is more important. My suggestion is to find some beginner blues licks, learn to count while playing them; play slowly, building your speed slowly and learn to voice those licks properly. Speed will come but being correct on timing and phrasing will get you noticed.

Much of blues & blues rock is played with triplets; below is an exercise that I’ve found useful to get your fingers moving plus it will be useful in your phrasing.

Keep in mind that you will sound like what you practice. Some players that I’ve heard makes it easy to see that they’ve sat for hours practicing speed riffs but their phrasing really says nothing.

BB King wasn’t the fastest player but when you hear a recording of his, you immediately know that it’s BB because of his phrasing.
Dickey Betts is the same way; compared to Warren Haynes who Betts discovered and drafted him to play with the Allman Brothers – Dickey didn’t play with nearly much speed but if you listen to the Allman’s song Melissa or their blues titled, Jelly Jelly, you will hear why Dickey is revered for his tone and phrasing

[Jean-Michel G]

I agree.
Moreover, the biggest hurdle to being able to play (reasonably) fast is poor left- and right hand coordination.
People usually focus on the fretting hand only, but that’s only half of the equation. Instead of looking for “guitar speed exercises”, look for “guitar hand coordination exercises” instead.

Start SLOWLY, and speed up very gradually. Don’t rush and don’t injure yourself!.
Later, you can work on specific techniques such as legato playing and (if you play with a pick) economy picking.

[GnLguy]

I don’t like to post videos of other instructors but I don’t know if Brian has ever presented a lesson on this subject.

This lesson is what I’m talking about as far as getting your licks in the correct time; I’ve heard this instructor say that if you will get your timing correct, speed will come in time as you continue to work on this
You may think that there is no way that this will give you anything but if you bump up the tempo when you get comfortable at a level – you will be surprised how your playing is improving.

[Author]

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