How to double speed on guitar

Doubling your speed on the guitar requires dedicated practice and the development of several key skills. Here are some tips to help you increase your speed:

Start Slowly: 

It may sound counterintuitive, but one of the best ways to increase your speed is to start practicing at a slower tempo. This allows you to focus on accuracy, precision, and clean technique. Gradually increase the tempo as you become comfortable and consistent at each speed.

Use a Metronome: 

A metronome is a valuable tool for building speed. Set it at a comfortable tempo and practice playing along with it, ensuring that your notes are perfectly synchronized with the metronome beats. As you improve, gradually increase the metronome speed.

Practice with a Light Touch: 

Excessive tension in your fingers and hands can hinder speed. Make sure you're using a light touch and only applying the necessary pressure to fret the strings. Relax your muscles and keep your hand loose while playing.

Use Efficient Hand Movements:

Efficient technique is crucial for playing faster. Minimize excess motion and focus on using the most economical finger movements possible. Avoid excessive finger lifting or unnecessary hand movements.

Focus on Alternate Picking: 

Alternate picking involves using a combination of downstrokes and upstrokes to play consecutive notes. It's an essential technique for increasing speed. Practice playing scales, arpeggios, and other patterns using alternate picking, starting slowly and gradually increasing the tempo.

Break Down Difficult Passages: 

Identify the specific passages or licks that are challenging for you. Break them down into smaller segments and practice them slowly, gradually increasing the speed as you become comfortable. Once you can play each segment accurately, work on connecting them smoothly.

Use Guitar Exercises: 

Incorporate specific exercises designed to improve speed into your practice routine. Examples include chromatic runs, scale patterns, and repetitive patterns that target finger independence and dexterity.

Be Patient and Consistent: 

Building speed takes time, so be patient with yourself. Consistent and focused practice sessions will yield better results than sporadic, rushed practicing. Dedicate regular time to working on speed development.

Remember, it's important to prioritize accuracy and clean technique over raw speed. As you gradually increase your speed, pay attention to maintaining control and precision. Speed will naturally come with time and dedicated practice.