Guitar Practice Speed Picking Circuit That Gets Quick Results

Training to increase guitar speed usually takes most guitarists a very long time – but it doesn’t have to take a long time for you!

Why?

You are about to learn a guitar practice speed picking circuit that massively improves your picking technique in as little as up to a few sessions.

What is circuit training?

This means you practice several things one after the other without taking long breaks in between.

Result:

You quickly train specific areas of your guitar technique with intense focus and efficiency to get big results in very little time.

Note: Focus on using efficient picking technique versus moving hand fast as shown in this video:

Apply the steps in this guitar practice circuit to any lick or exercise (or single note within them).

Practice each step for 2 minutes, then move immediately to the next step:

Step One: Play Everything With Heavy Picking

Use heavier picking power to put your hands in perfect sync and articulate notes clearly so you pick with speed and clarity.

This video shows you how to pick with power to make your notes more clear and articulate:

Step Two: Play By Speed Picking Notes For 5 Seconds At A Time

Tremolo pick a single note for 5 seconds at a time, followed by a brief second of rest, then repeat.

“Holding” the tremolo picked noted by picking continually for 5 seconds helps improve your consistency. This keeps your speed picking from falling apart so you are able to pick with excellent timing for longer.

Step Three: Pick Using All Upstrokes Until Speed Picking The Last Note

Strengthening your upstroke (versus downstroke) while picking makes your entire picking technique stronger.

Why?

Because the upstroke is naturally weaker and needs to be improved to balance out your picking attack.

Here is an example of what this looks like using a D minor scale:

Step Four: Pick Using All Downstrokes Until Speed Picking The Last Note

Using all downstrokes is slightly easier than upstrokes, but also has great benefit for improving your picking attack and shouldn’t be
neglected.

Step Five: Pick While Standing

Why pick the strings while standing?

Because this challenges you to play from a position you are not used to (most people generally sit down to practice).

This makes it much easier to pick with accuracy and speed while sitting and improves
your overall technique.

For added challenge and benefit, walk around while playing and/or perform what you are playing using performative gestures (like you see while your favorite musicians are playing on stage).

Want to learn more ways to practice effectively to get faster and become a better guitarist? Discover additional advice and tips by reading this guitar practice circuit article.