Play guitar like never before with these exercises
What's the story
For guitarists aiming to take their playing to the next level, learning how to strum faster without sacrificing accuracy is key.
The secret to rapid strumming is a strong and flexible wrist.
In this article, we share five powerful wrist exercises that will help you build speed while maintaining control and preventing injury.
Stretching
Wrist flexor and extensor stretches
To avoid stiffness and improve flexibility, try wrist stretches.
Extend your arm out in front of you with your palm facing down, and gently pull back on your fingers for 15 seconds. Repeat the stretch with your palm facing up to target the extensors.
Perform three times daily on each side to maintain flexibility.
Dexterity
The spider exercise
The spider exercise is a finger dexterity drill that also improves wrist mobility, which is essential for fast strumming.
Position your fingers on four adjacent frets on one string and then one by one move each finger to the next string, imitating a spider's walk.
Begin at a slow pace, emphasizing accuracy, and then progressively increase speed as you become more comfortable.
Rotation
Wrist rotations
Wrist rotations are excellent for loosening up the wrist joint, which is essential for fast strumming motions.
Simply extend your arms in front of you with fists clenched, then rotate your wrists ten times clockwise and ten times counterclockwise.
This exercise should be performed daily, preferably before guitar practice, to adequately warm up the wrists.
Strengthening
Palm presses
Palm presses are great for strengthening the wrists, which is crucial for withstanding extended periods of rapid strumming without experiencing fatigue.
Stand facing a wall with your arms extended at chest level and your palms pressed against the wall.
Lean forward slightly until you feel a gentle stretch in your wrists. Maintain this position for 15-20 seconds before releasing.
Perform this exercise five times for maximum benefit.
Coordination
Finger tapping
Finger tapping strengthens your fingers and improves coordination between them, leading to more controlled and faster strumming patterns on the guitar.
Forcefully tap each finger against a flat surface without causing discomfort. Start from your thumb, move towards your pinky, then reverse the order.
Do three sets of 15 taps per hand every day. You will soon notice increased speed and precision during guitar play.