Guitar Exercises
.....Warming Up!
We are going to start with two warm-up guitar exercises built from the chromatic scale, which is a scale built on all 12 tones (notes) in our western music system. Each note is a half-step apart from the one beside it.
We will start on the 6th string (low E), using all 4 fingers on the left hand to play these exercises. It's also a good idea to practice these with a metronome if you have one.
The exercises are set to 80bpm (beats per minute), but you can start at a slower speed if you like. Make sure you strike each note cleanly, one right after the other. Once you are comfortable with the speed you are at, you can begin to slowly increase it, to give you more of a challenge. Always try to strike the note as cleanly as possible, never sacrifice this for speed.
For these guitar exercises you need to use a technique called alternate picking. This means (if you don't know already) picking the first note with a down stroke followed by picking the next note with an up stroke, continuously alternating down and up strokes.
You may need RealPlayer or Windows Media Player to listen to these files.
Exercise 1
O.k., start by holding down the 1st fret, 6th string with your index finger, pick the note. Proceed to place your middle finger on the 2nd fret, 6th string, also picking the note. Then place your ring finger down on the 3rd fret, 6th string, picking the note, followed by your pinky finger on the 4th fret, 6th string, also picking the note.
Do this on each string, starting on the 6th string, then 5th string, then 4th string, etc... until you reach the 1st string. Then shift your hand up to the 2nd fret position, and repeat the pattern, starting on the 2nd fret with your 1st finger (index). Work from the 1st string back up to the 6th string.
Continue to do this all the way up the neck until you reach the 12th fret, or more if you like, then work your way back down to where you started.
The tab below helps explain it......
Click
to listen
Exercise 2
There is another variation of this exercise that you could try as well.
Instead of using the finger pattern 1-2-3-4, you could reverse it and go 4-3-2-1 and work your way up and down the neck.
Here's the example....
Remember, it's a good idea to try and do some kind of warm-up before you begin playing, to get the blood flowing and to prevent injuries. The last thing you want to happen is an injury that will increase the time it takes for you to reach that next level of guitar playing.
Hope you have enjoyed these two guitar exercises!
Stay tuned for more guitar exercises coming soon!
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