Building Speed on the Guitar

[Reg]

I know I've posted way too much on this subject... but some more of the obvious. So I'm guessing.. the building speed is to be able to perform tunes that are at faster tempos... or just to burn over slow tunes with faster improve. Or even to be able to phrase and articulate slower lines more in the groove. So we're basically talking about physically playing faster, right.

Just another aspect... I've always believed you need to think and hear fast also. Play through whatever tune, pick one you know...but at mm 300. Can you play whole notes comfortably, half notes, quarters etc.

Most players have difficulty just with the time... whether they play or not. You won't develop this skill playing slowly. So yes practice your technique veerryyy slllloowwwllllyyy.... and gradually pick up the speed. Is that actually working on technique or building speed? To me it's technique... the beat it into yourself until you can force any technique to work method. Anyway... just so everyone's happy go through this traditional teaching method.... but also put a little time into trashing what your trying to play... but at Fast tempos. Get to where you can be aware of where the time is... faster tempo time and try and hang on. Same thing you'll eventually get comfortable. Then clean up what your playing with technique that works with actual faster playing.

Most players that play slow... continue to play slow, not good or bad. But if your goal is building speed...

Reg

[randalljazz]

Don't know that track Randall, I'll see if anyone I know has it so I can check it out, cheers

five star

[joelr]

Yeah, practice slowly and gradually increase the speed with the metronome. Practice things you want to actually play.
This is just basic scale runs with an Art Tatum idea at the end, ascending sextuplets.

[cosmic gumbo]

So I guess the ultimate goal is speed for speed's sake. I'm surprised they don't make a shred guitar with a built in speedometer.

[3625]

He plays pretty good for a Hobbit

[joelr]

The ultimate goal is whatever you want it to be

[Petimar]

Thousands of hours on the instrument helps!

[Pukka-J]

"Speed is a byproduct of accuracy" I read somewhere.
It is but a oneliner, but it does tell me what to focus on

[Bigmagic]

I got faster by changing my picking technique. For years I thought my left hand wasn't fast enough but it was my right hand that was lagging. While I don't have elite speed(I don't practice enough) I can play plenty fast enough. I have a DR 888 and I crank it up and try to keep up when I'm fooling around.