How To Guitar Solo Fast Effortlessly Like The Pros Using Efficient Fretting Hand Technique
Ever notice that popular shred guitarists seem to play guitar solos fast with very little effort? Well, they are and there are many reasons why.
However, one of these reasons is NOT that they are simply naturally talented and let this carry them to the peak of guitar performance!
Okay, so what is a real reason?
I’ll tell you.
Efficient and tension free fretting hand technique.
This is what keeps your fretting hand moving freely and effortlessly as you quickly glide across the fretboard.
Play With Smoother Picking Speed Than Ever By Mastering Efficiency
Most guitar players develop inefficient movement in their fretting hand from the very beginning, and never change it.
Recognizing inefficient movement in your hands is the first step to changing them for the better to become a faster and better guitarist.
Here is what to look for:
Are you fretting using fingerings to play notes with as little movement as necessary or are you taking shortcuts to make things easier at the expense of efficiency?
For example:
Imagine playing an F natural minor scale that begins on fret
1 of the low E string. So, frets 1, 3 and 4. Do you use your index, third and
pink fingers or your index, middle and third fingers? Many people avoid using
their pinky for a long time, using more tension in their hand to stretch than
is needed. This tension causes unnecessary mistakes than can be avoided by
using your pinky.
Are you fretting notes with too much pressure?
This creates a lot of tension in your hands that slows you down and can increase chances for injury. Use only as much pressure as is needed to sound a note, and no more.
Are you fretting notes on the tips of your fingers or the padding?
Fretting notes using your fingertips is the most efficient way to fret because it keeps your fingers curled slightly in position to move quickly from one note to the next. It also keeps your skin in contact with the string less than if you were to use the padding of your fingers.
How high do you bring your fingers away from the fretboard in between notes?
Brining your fingers up and away from the strings after playing
notes is a common way to waste tons of movement and slow yourself down. If you
do this, focus on using slower practice to keep your fingers as close to the
strings as possible until you are able to get rid of this bad habit.
Do you fret with your fingers even when the notes being fretted aren’t actively being played?
You don’t need to press down on the frets unless you are playing the note being fretted. No matter what technique or lick you are playing, only fret a note as you play it.
(Note: Watch the video in the next section that explains the benefits of only fretting notes as needed.)
Play Lightning Fast Legato Licks With Less Effort
Fast legato guitar technique sounds smooth and effortless.
But most people don’t play it in this way!
This is because they use too much power to fret the notes while pulling off.
Your legato guitar technique should use just enough power to sound the notes while making the pulling off motion itself very quick.
Think of this like snapping your fingers to get that loud popping sound. The movement is quick, but doesn’t necessarily require a lot of power.
Get Rid Of Speed-Killing Tension In Your Fretting Hand
As discussed in the first point, fretting tension slows down your guitar speed.
This point is so important, that you should spend a few minutes a day removing tension from the things you play to ensure you play with effortless and tension-free speed.
This is very easy to do and has a massive effect on your guitar playing!
Combine this approach with the notes of any guitar lick you are practicing by using it for just a few minutes at the start of your practice session.
This works as a great warmup, while helping you to play with less tension.
Over time, you won’t have to do this because you will play with less tension without thinking about it (in everything you do) and playing fast will feel much easier.