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Guitar exercises and fretboard finger exercises

These guitar exercises will make playing chords and lead guitar that much easier.

I've stressed to you more than once that it is important to learn the finger numbering system. This fingering system is illustrated below. 

1  =  Index finger
2  =  Middle finger
3  =  Ring finger
4  =  Pinkie
T  = Thumb

The guitar notes in this exercise are played from left to right. Start at the 5th fret, Low E string which is the fattest string. Play 4 notes to each string and pick one note at a time using the fingers 1-2-3-4 to fret each note. Then move down to the A string using the fingerings 1-2-3-4 again and always alternate the pick down then up. Continue playing 4 notes to every string and pick each note one at a time. Then reverse this process moving back up from the high E or thinnest string starting with finters 4-3-2-1 all the way up to the Low E string.

The illustration below represents a picture of your guitar fretboard. There are a total of guitar 9 frets on this image, those frets are numbered 1-9, count out those nine guitar frets. There are also 4 numbers, (1 2 3 4) on the Low E string, look at the those numbers. The (1 2 3 4) numbers on the Low E string, represent the fingers you will use to play this exercise on that particular string.

1  =  Index finger
2  =  Middle finger
3  =  Ring finger
4  =  Pinkie
T  = Thumb

The first note is played on the Low E string, with your 1 finger, on the 5th fret. The next note is played with your 2 finger, on the Low E string, on the 6th fret. Then the 3 finger, at the 7th fret and finally the 4th finger, on the 8th fret.

You will need to press down firmly to get the proper sound of each note. It might take some time for each of your notes to played cleanly. These exercises are a must to get those fingers in shape. You might also want to make sure your guitar strings are not too heavy. You can purchase light gauge strings or even medium guitar strings to make pushing down the strings a little easier. I've found that a classical or flamenco guitar, with nylon strings, really works well for playing fingering exercises. However, those type of guitars are not made to use a pick. I actually borrowed a classical guitar from my brother and he said, "make sure you don't use a pick". Well, that really helped me start to pick notes without a pick and it made me come up with a new style. It also made me start using arpeggios and such.

The guitar tablature has been illustrated below and it represents the example shown above. You may need to go review the tablature lesson and watch the video.

Each of the lines in the illustration below are the strings of your guitar. The low E string has be identified, look at the red E below. The Low E string has the numbers (5 6 7 8). The 5 = the 5th fret, 6 = 6th fret and so on. Play the 5th fret, low E string with your 1 finger. Play the 6th fret with your 2 finger. Play the 7th fret, 3 finger and so on.

Here's the same type of fingering exercise, but this time we are starting on the 3rd fret position. Practice these exercise until you can play it smoothly and clean. Alternate the pick up and down. When you altenate the pick you can increase your picking speed. The tablature has been included below.

1 = Index
2 = Middle
3 = Ring
4 = Pinkie
T = Thumb

When you become comfortable playing this exercise, you may want to start on the 6th or 7th fret or any where you like. Keep the same fingering 1-2-3-4 on each string and remember to alternate the pick. Your fingers may get tired or have a difficult time stretching, but it will eventually become easier.

Tablature below.

The numbers are the fingers and frets you play. Start at the Low E string and work your way from the left to right.
1,2 - 2,1   2,3 - 3,2   3,4 - 4,3 and so on all the way through each string. Remember to alternated your pick to help build up speed.

This is an excellent exercise. Once again, the numbers are your fingers and the frets. Once you're comfortable with this exercise, try to play it without using your picking hand. Hammer ons and pull offs. Play one note at a time 1,2,1  2,3,2  3,4,3  2,3,2. Then move to the next string and repeat.

Start on the Low E string and work your way down using each string. Start from the left to right. Alternate your pick.

Each number is your finger and fret. Pick each note one at a time and alternate your pick. Notice you start on the Low E string. Once you pick all four notes, move down to the A string and do the same thing using the A, D and G strings. Continued picking one note per string using all the strings. Once you become comfortable, move this exercise all over the fretboard.

The next lesson covers Triplets.

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Good luck,

Guitar Secrets