Finger Speed Workouts

I started making this lesson when I was at a mates house tryin to teach him
some stuff by tabbing it out then it just kinda evolved.

This lesson basicaly consists of a series of finger exercises designed to improve your speed and technique. (none of its supposed to sound any good its just a good finger workout). Ive tried to make it useful for any ability by explaining anything some beginners might not understand but
putting in things i think might help experienced players.

I wasnt sure how to classify this lesson so Ive put it under 'soloing' as this will probably most useful for solo style prctise. If you have any questions about anything email me at bouipoz@hotmail.com. I make a few references to a riff in Metal Storm by Slayer, this is it:


D|-5-7-8-5-7---5--------------------7---|
A|-----------8----7-8-5-7---5-7-8-5---8-|
E|------------------------8-------------|
Played quite fast all notes are the same length helped my playing a lot
try listening to the song -pretty cool.


main finger positions:
(one finger per fret)
If i ever say anything like this


:- 1, 2, 4
This is a finger position:

1= First or index finger
2= Middle or biggest finger
3= Third or ring finger
4= Fourth finger or pinky

These are the only 3 finger shapes used in most scales.

Positiion 1


:- 1, 2, 4
example tab:


|-5-7-9-|
Postition 2


:- 1, 2, 4 (again)
example tab:


|-5-6-8-| (this is different)
Position 3


:- 1, 3, 4
example tab:


|-5-7-8-|
(how Metal Storm is played)

These won't usually be found in scales but are good finger exercise.

Position 4/5


:- 1, 2, 3 -or:
:- 2, 3, 4
example tab:


|-5-6-7-|
Some exercises using these postions

Metal Storm is a great exercise for the :- 1, 3, 4, position
also you can use some of the other finger positions using the
same pattern from Metal Storm.
example tab:


(using the first :- 1, 2, 4, position)

D|-5-7-9-5-7---5-------------------7--|
A|-----------9---7-9-5-7---5-7-9-5--9-|
E|-----------------------9------------|
And you can do the same with any of the other finger positions as they
all only contain three notes which is what you need fo this pattern. A more simple pattern to use that will also make good practice for sweep picking, (use alternate picking and youll get there).

example tab:


(Using the first :- 1, 3, 4 position) -again

e|-------------------------------5-7-9-|
B|-------------------------5-7-9-------|
G|-------------------5-7-9-------------|
D|-------------5-7-9-------------------|
A|-------5-7-9-------------------------|
E|-5-7-9-------------------------------|
Pick this like so:

/= downstroke
\=upstroke


e|-------------------------------/-\-/-|
B|-------------------------/-\-/-------|
G|-------------------/-\-/-------------|
D|-------------/-\-/-------------------|
A|-------/-\-/-------------------------|
E|-/-\-/-------------------------------|
as you can see by doing this when moving between string the pick will be still moving in the same direction.
this can also be done with any of the other finger patterns, all the positions I gave you need three fingers (odd number improtant) so youll find when playing something like the tab above with alternate picking your hand will 'sweep' across the neck. Improved speed can give it a good smooth feel.
try playing it backwards (high e to low E) as well and reversing the direction like so:

__and so on
D|-------------9-7-5- /|
A|-------9-7-5------- /
E|-9-7-5---------------
Play this backwards (high e to low E). You can also mix up the order of notes on each string to make a different workout.

example tab:


(using the first :- 1, 3, 4 position) -again
instead of:


-|-5-7-9-|
play:


-|-5-9-7-|
or:


-|-9-5-7-|
Just mix them up. If you find a hard one you cant do you need to practise that one more. One last one to annoy you with, when I fist tried to play this next exercise I nearly threw up it confused me so much. Use any two fingers that are next to each other eg:



:- 1, 2
example tab:


A|-----1-2-----2-3-----3-4-----4-5-----5-6-----6-7-----7-8-|
E|-1-2-----2-3-----3-4-----4-5-----5-6-----6-7-----7-8-----|
This can be done with any two fingers. Start off with pairs that are next to each other like the one you just used or:


:- 2, 3 -or:
:- 3, 4
This exercise is especially good as you may already be a good player but this makes you realise how untrained some of your fingers are. Then try pairs of fingers one or two spaces apart and try different orders or directions eg:


:- 1, 3
or:


:- 2, 4
or even:


:- 1, 4
You can generally experiment with anything in this lesson just mix it up and improve speed. Have fun.

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