How do you develop your finger strength, agility and coordination in guitar? Read on to discover a few simple exercises that will not only help you improve these, but also allow you to pick up a new skill. You will need your metronome/app for this practice as well.

Begin by holding down the 5th fret (6th string) with your index finger and playing the note. Next the 6th fret on the same string with the middle finger, followed by the 7th fret with the ring finger, and finally the 8th fret with the pinkie.

Now set the metronome and sync your picking to its beat/count. Repeat this same shape (4 notes) on the remaining strings as well, in the ascending direction. Once you hit the final note on the 1st string, repeat the exercise in reverse, which is in the descending order.

Exercise 1: Ascending Order -1-2-3-4-(move to next string)-1-2-3-4-etc

Exercise 2: Descending Order -4-3-2-1-(move to previous string)-4-3-2-1-etc

Practise these exercises using only downstrokes until you get comfortable with it. Then try the same with alternate picking, that is alternate down and upstrokes. Finally, combine the two exercises to ascend and descend with alternate picking.

Use the metronome as a progress meter to steadily increase the beats per minute, while maintaining your picking clean, and with clarity. This is a good indicator or measure of how precise you are getting with your right and left-hand movements.

It will help you develop agility and strength in your left hand, and improve your right/left hand coordination over time. Overall, it will help improve your picking and fretting hand skills, as well as develop a steady sense of time. Get your metronome, plectrum and guitar, practise what you’ve read, and get more proficient at playing the guitar. In the next blog post, we will learn all about triads or three-note chords, so don’t forget to continue reading.