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Guitar picking exercises and fretting exercises along the fretboard

Now we need for our picking hand to get the fretting hand in shape. These guitar exercises will make playing guitar chords and lead guitar that much easier. 

To help you play these guitar exercises, each fretting finger will have a number assigned to it. You will use this finger numbering system to play single notes, chords, scales and more. 

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

Look at the numbers above and memorize each number and the fretting finger that it represents. Hold your hand out in front of you and count out each finger until you have them completely memorized. This is one of the most important things to learn. You will use these numbers to fret notes, play scales, lead guitar and guitar chords. 

In our last guitar lesson, we worked on some guitar picking exercises and we only used the picking hand. Now we need to put the fretting hand to work and teach it to work properly with the picking hand. These guitar exercises will help with your dexterity and finger strength.

The illustration below represents a picture of your guitar fretboard. There are a total of 9 frets on this image, those guitar 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 on the fretboard firmly to get the proper sound of each note. It might take some time for each of your notes to be 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 or fretting the strings a little easier. I’ve found that a classical or flamenco guitar, with nylon strings, really works well for playing fingering exercises. But, 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 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. Go to the low E string and 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 the 8th fret with your 4 finger. Then you would move down to the A string and play the 4 notes the same way. Make your way down to the high E string. 

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

Watch the video below and practice this exercise until you can play it smoothly.

Try the guitar picking example below and start with your 4 finger on the 8th fret of the high E string or thinnest string. Pick the 8th fret with your 4 finger, 7th fret with your third finger, 6th fret with your second and 5th fret with your 1 finger. Then you would move to the B string and continue with the same fingering all the way up to the Low E string.

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 alternate 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.

When you get real comfortable, start on a different fret, move all over the fretboard. Have your guitar fretboard note illustration handy and check out the notes you’re actually playing.

Once you finish this guitar exercise, you can check out some others in the exercise chapter.

Assignment:

• Tune your guitar
• Practice these fingering exercises every day. This will build up strength in your hand.
• Review the finger exercise chapter.
• Study or review the guitar tablature lesson.
• Basic Guitar Chords
• Review the Am pentatonic chapter for the root note fret position.
• Have any questions, drop us a line.
• The next lesson covers Guitar triplets.

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