It's important to know guitar exercises to train your fingers to perform correctly.
Guitar exercises are often used to practice specific elements of guitar playing like open chords, scales and so on.
Proper guitar exercises are the key to knowing how to play guitar.
Here are some exercises to help you strengthen your fingers and form so that you have a solid playing foundation going forward.
Stretch!
Before practicing, it’s important to stretch your fingers and even your arms if you want.
Simple stretching will do.
Try reaching as far as you can across the fretboard.
Warm up with Spider Legs
If you’ve gone through the beginning of our Core Learning System, you may already be familiar with the Spider Legs exercise.
This exercise is meant to work out all of the fingers of your fretting hand by playing a each fret.
Start from the low E string and work your way to the high E string, and then back.
Make sure to keep up with the “one finger per fret” rule.
You can start by placing your 1st finger on the 1st fret, your 2nd finger on the 2nd fret, and so on.
Simply hit each note and work your way down like your fingers are spider legs!
Guitar Exercises for Open Chords
A great way to practice open chords is to use a metronome.
Once you have a metronome, you should focus on switching between two or more chords, since music is all about stringing different chords together.
Once you have chosen two chords you want to practice, try and play them to the beat of the metronome.
Try to play the chord progression faster if you feel it’s getting too easy.
And then try and add more chords to the progression.
If you do this, you’ll be able to play the chords you’ve practiced at a faster rate, and be able to switch between a variety of chord shapes easily.
Guitar Exercises for Barre Chords
There are a number of ways to practice barre chords since they can be played all over the neck and use a number of different shapes.
But one of the most difficult things about barre chords is that these chords are a physical workout.
Good thing we stretched and warmed up before practicing!
A great way to build some strength for your barre chords is to simply practice holding down the frets using a minor barre chord shape.
You could use a metronome for this to make it a bit easier, too.
The idea is to press down and lift off with the beat.
Continue to clamp down and then unclamp your barre chord, and do this all over the neck to really build that strength.
Guitar Exercises for Scales
For practicing scales, it’s always good to try and memorize the different box patterns associated with each scale.
For example, check out the pentantonic minor scale box patterns below. 
It’s important to visualize the box patterns and know where they are on the fretboard.
A fun way to practice these patterns is to play along with a metronome.
Guitar Tricks instructor Christopher Schlegel advices to practice scales by playing the box patterns straight up and down using a “swinging rhythm of eigth note triplets.”
If you were to count off the notes you’re playing, they would sound something like this: “2-and-uh-3-and-uh-4-and-uh-1-and-uh”
This makes it sound a bit more interesting and musical, and should be pretty fun to practice!
How to Practice Songs
Break up the song into chunks.
Thankfully, Guitar Tricks song lessons are already broken up to sections so it’s really easy to compartmentalize the song and not get overwhelmed.
Try and play the notes or the chords, one at a time, section by section.
Don’t move onto the next section, until you’ve mastered the one you’re working on.
Add notes and chords only after you’ve mastered the previous notes and chords.
You want to constantly build on top of what you already have, and not jump through everything as fast as possible.
FAQ
Is 2 hours of guitar a day enough?
Yes, 2 hours a day is a great amount of practice, especially if it's focused and consistent. With that time, you can cover different aspects like technique, songs, and improvisation.
Is practicing guitar 30 minutes a day enough?
Yes, 30 minutes a day is enough to see progress, especially if you stay focused on your goals. Consistency is key, so daily practice will help you improve over time.
How to improve guitar fast?
To improve quickly, focus on specific techniques, practice consistently, and set small, achievable goals. Also, try learning songs you love and play along with backing tracks to keep it fun.
What should I practice guitar every day?
A good daily practice routine includes warm-ups, scales, chords, rhythm practice, and playing songs. Make sure to work on what you struggle with most and include some time for just playing for fun.
How many hours a day do guitarists practice?
This varies, but many dedicated guitarists practice anywhere from 1 to 4 hours a day. Professional musicians may put in even more time, while hobbyists often stick to around 30 minutes to an hour.
How long does it take to get OK at the guitar?
With consistent practice, you can start sounding decent in 3-6 months. You'll be able to play basic songs and some riffs, but becoming "OK" really depends on your personal goals.
How many years does it take to get really good at guitar?
To get really good, it typically takes a few years of consistent practice, usually around 3-5 years. However, this varies depending on how much you practice and your natural aptitude.
Is guitar easier than piano?
Guitar and piano each have their challenges, but many find guitar easier to pick up in the beginning since you can quickly learn basic chords and play songs. Piano offers a clearer layout of notes, which might make music theory easier to understand.
Can you learn guitar in 3 months?
You can definitely learn the basics and play some simple songs in 3 months with focused practice. However, becoming more proficient and versatile takes longer.
Can guitar be self-taught?
Yes, many guitarists are self-taught through online lessons, videos, and practice. Having a teacher can help with guidance and quicker progress, but self-teaching is definitely possible if you're motivated.
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