Left hand speed

[Richard O'connor]

Is there any suggestions on how I can improve my left hand speed.
I’ve been working on economy picking and I feel my left hand is stopping me from speeding up.

 

[Filip Tomiša]

This isn’t really a solution but playing on a guitar with a thinner neck helps you move your fretting hand alot faster

 

[Krisztián Hauser]

I would say you should try working on that you lift your fingers just as little as needed to minimize finger movement

 

[idssdi]

In general it comes from playing a lot and getting things in your muscle memory. Just play the same thing over and over and increase the speed.

 

[Syn Gates]

Try working on more Legato exercises. This helped me to develop not just speed and dexterity, but more independence. I found that my fretting hand was following my picking hand way too much and had trouble making the few Legato licks I knew groove so a few years ago I began to dedicate a lot of time to Legato and in particular, listening to the Legato guru himself, the late Allan Holdsworth. This helped to complete my circle, hopefully it does the same for you! Good luck and remember, this is a LONG process and should be enjoyed so make your practice routines enjoyable!

 

[Richard O'connor]

thanks for the feedback!

 

[Brian Oravetz]

I took a few lessons from Steve Stine, and the exercise that he gave me was so simple that I felt dumb for not thinking of it.
Simply start doing pull offs. Start with your index finger, and go for 20 seconds. Then fret your index finger and start pulling off with your middle finger for 20 seconds, until you get to your pinky. (you’ll realize, if you haven’t already, that your pinky hates you. ) Then, fret your middle finger, and do pull offs with your ring finger for 20 seconds, then pinky, etc.
See the pattern? By the time you’re done, your forearm will be on fire, and your fingers will be spastic. It’s a great endurance exercise, and it is very useful for increasing speed.

 

[Jake Young]

I’m opposite! I feel my left hand flies but my right holds me back a little

 

[Filip Tomiša]

@jake Same thing here.

 

[Jeff Pogan]

Sounds ironic but seriously, play slow!
Practice to a click PAINFULLY slow. Then bump it up 4 bpm at a time until you can’t play it clean anymore. Keep doing that with all kinds of different exercises (the Syn etudes are all great to practice, even suuuuper slowly).
It’s like weightlifting, it takes a long time to gain muscle, but after countless hours, and lifting consistently throughout months (even years) you’ll notice one day that you’re ripped!