Guitar Exercises. Learn how to play guitar fingering 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 once more, below.

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, one note at a time, using the fingers 1-2-3-4. Then move down to the A string, 1-2-3-4. Remember to always alternate the pick, down then up. Continue playing 4 notes to every string, one note at a time. Then reverse this process, working your way back up from the high E or thinnest string 4-3-2-1 to the Low E string.

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

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.

Guitar fretting and picking exercises

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 sweeping guitar chords more.

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.

Watch the video below and practice this exercise until you can play it smoothly. The tablature is shown below.

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 alternate the pick you can really increase your picking speed. The tablature has been included below.

When you become comfortable playing this guitar fingering 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 up and down. Your fingers may get tired or have a difficult time stretching, but it will eventually become easier.

Here’s another guitar exercise.

Start with your 1 finger on the first fret, fat E string.

Guitar Exercise and tablature

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, this will help build up speed.

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.

Gutiar picking exercises and lead guitar tablature

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

Guitar exercises and guitar picking tablature

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 eight notes, move down to the A string and do the same thing using the A, D and G strings. Once you become comfortable, move this exercise all over the fretboard.

The next lesson covers Guitar triplet exercises.

Good luck,

Guitar Secrets