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I have done some study on this, as it was where I was, and I found a connection between people who need to “play fast” and those that already play but just wish to play “faster”. The connection is kind of straightforward, yet awfully surpassing.

Through what I learned, I think there are 2 parallels :

1. Study the methodologies concerned that may make your overall playing faster, and

2. Re-focus your practice sessions onto the basic ideas that newbs learn, which will enable you become a quicker player.

There is a helpful acronym that you may use to help target your practice and enhance your playing: M.O.S.T.

M for Memorization

You can have the world’s best “ear”, but if you don’t memory:

a) the fret board notes and b) the major and scales,

It will not matter how good your ear is. The most maddening thing about learning a new song is finding that chord or note that you know you’ve learned but just can’t remember! It is amusing that song writers don’t give you time in the middle of their pieces to find a minor chord, or work out if a Db minor chord works in a song in B, and then if it does, where it is on the fret board!

If you’re a newbie – STUDY THE FRETBOARD and memorize it!

If you are more advanced – LEARN THE FRETBOARD and memorize it! You could think you already know it, but are you jump from one note or chord to any other instantly without brooding about it?

O for Observation

Human beings work best when all of the senses work in unison. Try plugging your ears with cotton wool and then attempting to play a song. Not superb are you.

Your senses of sight, sound and touch all interweave to play guitar. When you play a song well, you can even taste the applause ( just kidding ). The more you play, the more your fingers put themselves in the right places, your muscles keep a memory of those positions.

You begin to see patterns and relationships on the fret board. You hear yourself play the proper notes and chords and that gives you confidence, which is important in fast playing.

Memorization is the foundation for observation, and observation is the key to coaching your mind and hands to work in concert instantly.

S for strength and T for training

This is not weight training! It is really dexterity training (but MODT is not a word ). However, being dexterous means you have strength in your fingers in order to play the chords you must play when you want to play them.

Beginners often struggle to hold down chords and play scales with all four fingers. Consistent and correct practice is the only way to build strength, muscle memory and finger dexterity.

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