• Alternate Picking Practice: Start with basic alternate picking exercises on a single string. Play up and down strokes with consistent timing, starting at a slow tempo.
• Focus on Hand Position: Ensure your picking hand is relaxed, with minimal tension. Your pick should strike the strings at a slight angle for smoother movement.
• Metronome Practice: Practice with a metronome at a comfortable tempo. Aim for clean, accurate notes with even spacing between each pick stroke.
• Single-String Chromatic Exercises: Play a simple chromatic scale (frets 1-4 on each string) using alternate picking. Start slowly and focus on accuracy.

At the end of the first week, you should feel comfortable with the basics and be ready to start increasing the tempo.

2. Day 8-14: Increase Speed Gradually

With a solid foundation in place, the second week is all about gradually increasing your picking speed. It’s important to maintain accuracy and control as you speed up.

Exercises for Week 2:

• Metronome Speed Increases: Continue using the metronome, but increase the tempo by 5-10 BPM each day. Ensure you maintain clean, accurate picking at each new speed.
• String Skipping Exercises: Practice exercises that involve skipping strings to improve accuracy and control. For example, pick the 1st string, then skip to the 3rd, 2nd, and 4th strings.
• Scales Across the Neck: Play major and minor scales across all six strings, focusing on even, consistent picking. Gradually increase the tempo as you gain confidence.
• Two-String Patterns: Work on two-string patterns (e.g., 1st and 2nd strings) with alternate picking. This helps improve coordination between your picking and fretting hands.

By the end of week two, you should notice a significant improvement in your speed and accuracy.

3. Day 15-21: Incorporate Advanced Techniques

The third week introduces more advanced techniques that challenge your picking speed and precision. Incorporating these exercises will help you develop greater control and versatility.

Exercises for Week 3:

• Economy Picking: Practice economy picking, where you use a combination of alternate picking and directional picking (downstrokes when moving to a lower string, upstrokes when moving to a higher string). This technique can help increase speed by minimizing hand movement.
• Speed Bursts: Incorporate speed bursts into your practice. Play a series of notes quickly, followed by a brief pause, then repeat. This trains your muscles for fast picking while maintaining control.
• Arpeggio Sweeping: Work on sweep picking exercises with simple arpeggios. Start slowly to ensure accuracy and gradually increase the speed as you become more comfortable.
• Hybrid Picking: Introduce hybrid picking (using a pick and fingers) to add complexity to your picking technique. Practice combining picked and plucked notes for greater versatility.

Week three is about pushing your limits and experimenting with different techniques that can enhance your overall picking speed.

4. Day 22-30: Refine and Solidify

The final week is dedicated to refining your technique, solidifying your progress, and ensuring that your increased speed doesn’t come at the cost of accuracy or tone.

Exercises for Week 4:

• Speed and Accuracy Drills: Combine speed and accuracy drills that challenge both aspects equally. For example, play scales or arpeggios at high speeds, focusing on clean execution.
• Endurance Practice: Play extended picking patterns or scales for longer periods without stopping. This builds endurance and helps maintain speed over longer passages.
• Record and Analyze: Record yourself playing at various speeds. Listen back to identify any areas where accuracy or tone may be compromised, and adjust your practice accordingly.
• Final Speed Test: On the last day, push your speed to its maximum. Compare it to where you started and celebrate the progress you’ve made.

By the end of the 30 days, your picking speed should have improved significantly, along with your overall control and precision.

FAQ: Common Questions About Improving Guitar Picking Speed

1. How important is hand positioning for picking speed?