How To Play Guitar Fast And Clean While Using Distortion So Your Solos Sound Pro
There are many different things that can go wrong while playing fast guitar solos that cause sloppy noises. Once you know what they are and how to fix them, your guitar playing becomes like a well-oiled machine so you play guitar fast and clean at any speed.
Playing guitar with distortion makes your mistakes very obvious, which is sometimes very frustrating. However, this is actually a good thing! Why? It gives you the information you need to get better and clean up your playing.
These are the keys to playing guitar fast and clean, plus how to test yourself to fix sloppy mistakes and make playing with speed feel easier:
Key #1: Proper Muting Technique In Both Hands
Keeping unwanted string noise under control isn’t just about using palm muting. Fact is, picking hand muting is only half of the answer… and palm muting is not the most effective way to mute!
Using your thumb to mute the strings below the one you are playing mutes string noise more effectively and consistently.
This videos shows you why and how thumb muting works so well to clean up your playing at any speed:
To keep your guitar playing fast and clean, you need to use your fretting hand too!
Mute strings above (in pitch) the one you are playing using the side of your fretting hand index finger.
Then use any available fingers on your picking hand to lay them lightly on these strings as well. This gives you an extra layer of protection.
Test Your Muting Technique:
Practice any guitar lick for 2 minutes continuously while listening closely for unwanted open string noise. When you hear it, determine if it is due to improper picking or fretting hand muting technique. Then adjust and play the lick again.
While doing this, listen closely for obvious mistakes and subtle scratches or rubbing against the string that are only audible with distortion. Then work to eliminate these subtle noises as well.
Key #2: Keeping Both Hands In Perfect Sync
Another big cause of sloppy noise is when your hands are not in sync with each other. This means either your picking hand or fretting hand is too fast for the other to keep up. The result is notes that sound muffled and unclear.
Playing guitar fast should feel easy and effortless when both hands are in perfect sync. Here are two ways to bring your hands into sync very quickly:
Instead of playing a given guitar lick one note at a time, double pick each note. For example, see the tab below. Alternate pick the double picked notes:
Test Your Synchronization
Play any guitar lick for 2 minutes and pay attention to when you are missing notes. Is your fretting hand or your picking hand moving too fast?
Usually your picking hand is too fast when you have hesitation moving from one string to the next on the fretboard. Your fretting hand may be moving too fast when you know the pattern perfectly, but your picking technique is inefficient and unable to catch up.
Use the short warmups to catch either hand up and try again until you are in sync.
Key #3: Eliminating String Noise During Transitions
It’s common for there to be string noise or missed notes while moving from one string to the next in any given pattern. This is often because the fretting hand is moving from one position of the guitar to another.
Don’t make the common mistake of simply trying to “power through” tough position changes by playing faster and hoping it corrects itself. This is what causes sloppy technique to keep you frustrated for a long time. Instead, make position shifts and string transitions clean by doing this:
Isolate the problem area by repeating only the notes close by it many times. For example, in the tab below there is a transition where you must move your index finger from fret 9 of the G string to fret 10 of the B string:
Perfect this transition by only playing the 4 highlighted notes at a high speed. Alternatively, break it down even more and only play the two notes involved in the string change (fret 12 and fret 10 respectively).
Test Your Ability To Transition Strings
Choose any guitar lick and play it in short repetitive bursts of notes with a brief rest after each repetition. For example, the tab below demonstrates how to use this approach to play the beginning of the scale that was just discussed:
Listen for how clean each string transition sounds. If one transition isn’t clean, repeat the notes of both strings while adjusting in the moment. This is one of the best ways to correct mistakes on guitar that only occur at fast speeds.
Now that you know the keys to playing guitar fast and clean with distortion, learn how to play guitar perfectly in any situation. Play guitar with the consistency of a machine using the information in this free guitar guide.