One thing to remember starting out playing guitar, is that you are using your fingers. If you are like most people, you really have no reason to use your fingers that much. What you need is a way to Strengthen your fingers.
Here is a great exercise to get your fingers stronger, and doing what you want them to do. This is great for a beginner guitar exercise to strengthen your fingers, build finger dexterity & muscle memory. The Free Lesson will give you 7 techniques to strengthen your fingers.
Starting out your fingers will be naturally week. They will not be used to putting force on the strings, necessary to make a chord. In order to get your fingers in shape you will need to practice the technique described in this video.
Don’t forget that you are using fingers, muscles and ligaments that you are not usually using. Take frequent breaks so you don’t over due it and end up with a repetitive injury.
Beginner Guitar Exercise
Start by placing your fingers on the sixth string. Remember the 6th string is the thickest string at the top of the guitar neck. The 1st string is the bottom thinnest string.
Each finger will have it’s own fret “box”. Place your first finger on the 6th string at the first fret.
Your 2nd finger 2nd fret, 3rd finger 3rd fret, and lastly your pinkie on the 4th fret. Remember they are all on the 6th string.
When you use your fretting hand you want to remember to play on the tips of your fingers. The very tip, at the end of your finger. If you had a dot on the end of it you should not be able to see it, because the string is covering it.
Next we want to play right behind the fret. The fret you may already know is the wire that goes across the neck of the guitar. Your finger should be as close to that as possible. Without being on it.
This will give the proper sound when you play the string. If you are to far away from the fret then you get a buzzing noise from the string when its played. Likewise if you play on the fret it sounds muted.
Starting the Guitar Strength Finger Exercise
Start on the second fret. So now all your fingers are moved up a fret. finger one is on the 2nd fret. Finger 2, 3rd fret, 4th finger 4, 5th fret.
- Placing your 1st finger 6th string 2nd fret pick the 6th string.
- Put your 2nd finger on the 6th string at the 3rd fret. Use your pick and pick the 6th string.
- Next play the 6th string with your 3rd finger on the 4th fret.
- Then play the 5th fret or the 6th string with your pinkie.
Remember to play on the tips of your fingers. You do not need to play fast. We want to here the notes ring out properly one at a time.
Starting out if the strings are buzzing, it’s possible you are not pressing enough against the string. If this happens try to press the string tight against the neck of the guitar.
Now that we have done the 6th string with all four fingers. Start the same process on the 5th string. One finger at a time in there own fret box. Placing your finger behind the fret and playing on the tips of your fingers.
After you have picked all four frets on the 5th string move on to the 4th string, 3rd string and then the first string.
When you get to the first string you want to work your way back up to the 6th string. Start at the 5th fret. After you play the 2nd. 3rd, 4th and then 5th fret.
Play the 5th fret with your pinkie on the 1st string. Then play the 4th, 3rd, and 2nd frets all on the first string. Then do the same on the 2nd string, 3rd, 4th, 5th and then the 6th string.
Move Up a Fret
After you’ve made your way back to the 6th string move all your fingers up a fret. So now your starting on the 3rd fret with your 1st finger. Play it on the 6th string.
Since you moved up a fret now your playing the 4th fret with your 2nd finger. 5th fret, 3rd finger, 6th fret Pinkie. Work your way to the first string one fret at a time. We are not going fast, we are concentrating on making the strings ring out, and sound good.
Now work your way up to the 6th string. We are going backwords, starting on the 6th fret with out pinkie. Then moving towards the first fret.
When you get to the 6th string move up a fret. You can do this process all the way up to the 12th fret. Which on most guitars there are two double dots. Signifying the 12th fret.
You will notice when your performing this exercise the frets get smaller up the neck. Closer to the 12th fret. Once you have made it to the 12th fret you can work your way back to the first fret of the guitar.
Second Technique Beginner Guitar Exercise
Since you have the first exercise in the bag. The second is a little bit more. Not that it is hard to do, but it takes a little bit hand eye coordination.
We want to start on the 2nd fret of the 6th string. Placing your 1st finger there pick it. Then with your 3rd finger place it in the 3rd fret box. were still on the 6th string. Play the note. Make sure your playing close behind the frets.
So we are working are way to the first string. Which means you now are on the 5th string playing the 2nd and 4th frets with your 1st and 3rd fingers. One at a time.
After you get to the 1st string go back up the strings to the 6th string. Starting with your 3rd finger then your second. Then move to the 3rd fret, and play the 3rd and 5th frets. Do this up and down the strings and frets until you get to the 12th fret.
When you get to the 12th fret on all these exercises you can work your way down to the first fret on the guitar.
Another Technique
Another technique is starting: Start on the 2nd fret, your first finger would be in that fret box. The second finger would be at the third fret box position. For this exercise we are not going to put those fingers in the box. This is to let you know where to start on the neck of the guitar.
This leaves your 3rd finger and pinkie. Which will be used only for this exercise. Placing your 3rd finger on the 6th string at the 4th fret, pick the string.
Next place your pinkie on the 5th fret of the 6th string and pick it. This may be a little tricky, and feel weird. Because you are not used to using your pinkie it doesn’t want to cooperate. This is why we are doing these exercises.
Still using your 3rd finger and pinkie. Play the 4th, and 5th fret of the 5th string. Then work down to the 1st string. Then back up to the 6th string.
You should be feeling your pinkie, and 3rd finger are having a work out. Switch it up and play your 1st finger, 3rd finger and pinkie. This is another way to practice, and build up finger strength.
The more you do these exercises the stronger your fingers will become and the easier it will become to play the strings.
These are great finger strengthening exercises for muscle memory, and to strengthen your fingers. Practice them with the intent to play the strings properly. Go slow to build finger dexterity and accuracy.
If you don’t have a guitar handy you can still practice finger exercises see below.
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Guitar Finger Exercises Without a Guitar
Lets take a look at some guitar finger exercises:
- Finger Grip exercise with a Gripmaster
- Take a ball that is soft, squeeze it as hard as you can. Hold for a few seconds and repeat 10 reps
- Take Your hands in front of you face them palms up. Bring your fingers forward and touch the palms of your hand. Keep the tips of your fingers strait. 20 reps.
Notice: When you are performing exercises. You are using ligaments and muscles that are not used to having a workout. If there is any sign of pain. Stop!
Guitar Exercise for beginners PDF
This PDF will give you all the exercises needed to complete the guitar Technique and Finger Strengthening exercises. Remember to go slow. Get the PDF on my Patreon page. Consider becoming a Patron.
This is not about speed it is about playing acculturate. Letting the strings sound out properly. The speed will come later.
You will learn muscle memory and finger dexterity by performing these exercises.
Check the video lesson below to get your fingers moving towards your goal.
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