Jul 20
Let's face it. Picking exercises are necessary to build picking speed and dexterity, however they're usually not much fun, or sound too boring to practice for any useful length of time. If you're an advanced player, you know what I'm talking about. So, why can't picking exercises be more interesting? I think they can. Here are 5 exercises that I find will get under your skin and stick with you like a Britney Spears chorus: "I'm a slave 4 you…" Plus, you'll sound good while you're playing them, so they'll be easier on the ears of those around you.
One more note though before we jump in: I apologize now if the names I chose for these exercises sound Harry Potter-ish. I assure you that Mr. Potter wasn't on my mind.
Exercise #1: The Harmonic Minor Neo-Classical Egyptian Mummification Thingus
Exercise #2: The Sweep Picking Pedal-Tone Triplet Interruptus Thingus
Exercise #3: The Bold String Skipping Progressive Rage Against Boring Picking Thingus
Exercise #4: The Triplet Blasting String Skipping Machine Gun Thingus
Exercise #5: The Alternate Picking In a Dream That Could Go On Forever and That's Alright With Me Thingus
Download the Power Tab file of all 5 picking exercises to print it and hear how the exercises sound: PowerTab File (Just right click this link and select "Save file as…") Please let me know what you think of the exercises by adding your comments below. Did you enjoy these?
Update: If you're new to the guitar and can barely hold a chord yet, you probably found these exercises way too hard. I invite you to drop by my review of the "Guitar Made Easy" lessons and pick up a copy to learn to play in one weekend flat. Here's the link to the review.
This post was written by
Michael Jae.
Michael is a guitarist of over 18 years and has taught lessons, played in front of live audiences, and wrote and recorded his own acoustic fingerstyle albums. He's especially fond of playing classic rock, heavy metal, classical guitar, and fingerstyle acoustic guitar in the style of Leo Kottke and John Fahey.
Nice exercise I’ll start handing them out to my students imediately..
Jens
Personally owning a music store where I am the Guitar instructor
with over 45 years of experiance professionaly on stage and in studios
I find it interesting that you would discourage the ability actually to
be able to read music. Wether by Mel Bay or Bach or The Beatles, the ability
to read music and understand theory seperates the real guitarist from the pretender. Knowing only chords does not make you a guitarist, it just limits your horizions
Hi Bob, thanks for your comment. I don’t feel I’m discouraging it, but mearly being realistic about it. For most people it’s not necessary, and many people could be discouraged from picking up a guitar thinking they have to “learn music”–they don’t. Just my opinion of course. I know full well, many will disagree.
I am now learning how to play guitar and yes… picking exercise are a pain in the xxx… BUT, thanks for your resources. It seem that now i have the motivation to practise your picking exercises! Aights… back to the guitar now
thanks
leanne
I found this too be very resourceful, but how long would it take for a beginner to playing well with a pick?
Well, it depends on what you want to learn. If it’s basic soloing and you’re starting from scratch and doing picking exercises you’ll need to practice an hour or two a day for probably about 1 or 2 weeks before you start feeling like you’re really getting somewhere. This assumes you already have some finger strength and dexterity from playing simple songs and chords. At that point I recommend you start learning a simple guitar solo of your choice. Could be a blues solo and just work on it until you get it; could easily be a few weeks of practicing it. That should really break you through the complete beginner stage and get you feeling good. Then take it from there and learn more. Its super important to have fun and not run yourself into the ground and get burnt out trying to push yourself too hard. So take your time go slow and savour every note.
What opens the files? It says windows won’t open it.
Looks like there may be something wrong with the file. I’ll have a look. Thanks for letting me know.
I’ll check it out. Thanks for the tip!