Struggling with left hand speed
I'm struggling to get my left hand moving quickly when just picking. i can make chord transitions quickly but when it comes to single notes i just cant seem to get an quicker no matter how much i practice. Any idea to help me would be greatly appreciated.
# 1
With a metronomer, practice at slow speed, too slow, about 50 bpm.
Then increase a little bit to 55 bpm, then to 60, and so on, until you reach the original bpm of the piece or exercise. Sometimes i like to pass the original bpm, because if i can play at a faster speed, it will be more easy to play at the original tempo.
Man, don´t be hurry. All the notes must sound clear, all the techniques must be executed with perfection. And only after this you must go to the next level and increase the bpm.
Remember, to play well, you don´t need to play fast. Some of the best pieces of all the times are at slow tempos.
Hope this can help you. See ya!
Then increase a little bit to 55 bpm, then to 60, and so on, until you reach the original bpm of the piece or exercise. Sometimes i like to pass the original bpm, because if i can play at a faster speed, it will be more easy to play at the original tempo.
Man, don´t be hurry. All the notes must sound clear, all the techniques must be executed with perfection. And only after this you must go to the next level and increase the bpm.
Remember, to play well, you don´t need to play fast. Some of the best pieces of all the times are at slow tempos.
Hope this can help you. See ya!
:) Azzi.
Be kool and stay free.
Be kool and stay free.
# 2
Originally Posted by: brenoazziWith a metronomer, practice at slow speed, too slow, about 50 bpm.
Then increase a little bit to 55 bpm, then to 60, and so on, until you reach the original bpm of the piece or exercise. Sometimes i like to pass the original bpm, because if i can play at a faster speed, it will be more easy to play at the original tempo.
Man, don´t be hurry. All the notes must sound clear, all the techniques must be executed with perfection. And only after this you must go to the next level and increase the bpm.
Remember, to play well, you don´t need to play fast. Some of the best pieces of all the times are at slow tempos.
Hope this can help you. See ya!
I agree. My reading about guitar and my own experience has shown the use of a metronome helps greatly. Start slow, get the playing down *very* well and then increase the speed just a bit (I do low-single digit percentage increases). Another technique is to gradually increase speed during the playing of the scale/passge/tune. The GT metronome works well for both of these methods.
Scales and other flexibility exercises, e.g., finger gym, can do wonders too. Incorporate 'em into your daily practice. Use the same metronome techniques.
"It takes a lot of devotion and work, or maybe I should say play, because if you love it, that's what it amounts to. I haven't found any shortcuts, and I've been looking for a long time."
-- Chet Atkins
-- Chet Atkins
# 3
It my not be your hand speed as much as doing different things at the same time. Sounds strange but give this a try to test.
Right hand taps your head and don't stop, left hand rubs your belly while still tapping your head. Now with the hand rubbing your belly tap your first finger while still rubbing. So you have 3 things going on at the same time.
Then try it with your 2nd, 3rd and forth.
Now reverse that, left hand taps belly while right rubs head and taps fingers.
It's kind of like a drummer playing different rythems with each limb. It's hard a first to get your right hand to beat the hi-hat in a different timing than you right foot is thumping the bass.
With time and effort your body will learn.
Right hand taps your head and don't stop, left hand rubs your belly while still tapping your head. Now with the hand rubbing your belly tap your first finger while still rubbing. So you have 3 things going on at the same time.
Then try it with your 2nd, 3rd and forth.
Now reverse that, left hand taps belly while right rubs head and taps fingers.
It's kind of like a drummer playing different rythems with each limb. It's hard a first to get your right hand to beat the hi-hat in a different timing than you right foot is thumping the bass.
With time and effort your body will learn.
# 4
# 5
Don't overlook the tension neccessity.
It may be you can use less pressure than you are currently using in your fretting hand. Too much pressure will slow you down.
Just my 2 cents with another possibility.
It may be you can use less pressure than you are currently using in your fretting hand. Too much pressure will slow you down.
Just my 2 cents with another possibility.
# 6
