Best Exercises for an Advanced Guitarist

Article Topics:

Advanced, Exercises, Guitar, Hybrid Picking, Improvisation, Legato Guitar, Sweep Picking

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Congratulations on reaching an advanced level of guitar playing! At this stage, you're likely looking for the best guitar exercises that can challenge your skills, push your boundaries, and take your playing to the next level. In this blog, we will demonstrate advanced guitar exercises. These exercises will assist you in playing faster, with improved accuracy, finger control, and musicality.

 

Sweep Picking Exercises

Sweep picking is a technique that involves playing arpeggios in a fluid, sweeping motion across the strings. This technique can create a smooth and fast sound that's popular in many genres of music, including metal and rock. One exercise to improve your sweep picking is to practice playing arpeggios across different string sets and chord progressions. Start with simple shapes like major and minor triads, then move on to more complex shapes like seventh and ninth chords.

 

Guitar String Skipping Exercises

String skipping is a technique that involves skipping strings while playing a melody or riff. This method produces a special and complex sound that various types of music, like jazz and fusion, enjoy. To improve string skipping, practice playing a scale or arpeggio while skipping every other string. This will challenge your finger independence and accuracy.

 

Legato Guitar Technique

Legato playing is a technique that involves playing notes in a smooth, connected manner without picking each note. This method produces a smooth and musical sound that various types of music, like blues and jazz, enjoy. To improve legato playing, practice hammer-ons, pull-offs, and slides with various finger combinations and patterns. You can also practice playing legato phrases over different chord progressions and backing tracks.

 
Hybrid Picking

Hybrid picking is a technique that involves using both the pick and the fingers to play notes on the guitar. This method creates a unique and adaptable sound that people enjoy in different genres like country and bluegrass. To improve hybrid picking, practice playing melodies and arpeggios using both the pick and fingers. Start with simple melodies and gradually increase the complexity and speed. 

  

Improvisation

Improvisation is a skill that advanced guitarists want to learn. It needs practice, theory knowledge, and experimentation. To get better at improvising, practice playing over various chord progressions and scales using different modes and arpeggios. You can also practice developing your phrasing, dynamics, and tonal variation to create a unique and expressive sound.

 

By practicing these guitar exercises often, you'll improve your skills and challenge yourself to play better. Remember to take breaks when needed, and always focus on good technique and posture. With time and practice, you'll be playing like a virtuoso in no time!

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