Learning Tips
| • | Schedule practice times by blocking out time where you won't be interrupted. |
| • | Plan your practices - structure them so you work on several areas such as theory, technique, repertoire - to give variety. Learn more on our How to Practice page. |
| • | Try to practice with a metronome. This will greatly help you to keep a steady tempo. Increase the speed as you learn the song. |
| • | Start with a simple version of a tune. The more quarter notes (and fewer eighth notes), the faster you will be able to play it. Build up your speed on the simple arrangements to 200-240 bpm, then worry about adding more notes. |
| • | Learn your scales and practice them. This may not help your speed directly, but it will help your dexterity of your left and right hands and help to famililiarize you with the fingerboard. |
| • | Take some lessons to have someone knowledgeable observe your left and right hands for proper/improper positions, etc. |
| • | Balance playing rhythm and lead in your practice time. |
| • | Play with others. There is no substitute for jamming and playing in a group. If you prefer, try using a virtual jam session like those listed on our Jamming page. |
| • | Lighten your touch! To play faster, you must learn to lighten your touch with your left hand. Only use the minimum pressure needed to make the note ring out. Don't use a "death grip". |
| • | To play faster, you have to take shorter swings at the string with your right hand, yet still get out the volume. This means that you have to drive your pick through the string. |