Fret-hand Warm ups

Fret Hand Warm-Up: Exercises to Improve Finger Dexterity PDF 

Chromatic Warm-Up

The first exercise we'll discuss is a straightforward chromatic warm-up. Start with your index finger (1) and work your way through to your middle (2), ring (3), and pinky (4), while moving laterally across each string. The pattern should be 1234 on the 6th string, 2341 on the 5th string, 3412 on the 4th string, 4123 on the 3rd string, and so on. Wrap back around and continue this exercise chromatically down the entire fretboard.

Focus on picking each note cleanly, either alternating or down-picking, to a metronome. Once you're comfortable with this exercise, feel free to transition to legato focusing on a strong and deliberate hammer-on and pull-off technique.

Five Chord Cycles (Cycle of 4ths)

The next exercise is a chord cycling warm-up that is handy for stretching your hand and your brain. Start with some basic major "cowboy" chords (EADGC) at the nut/first position of the guitar and work your way through the cycle of 4ths (E A D G C F Bb Eb Ab Db Gb B).

If you look closely, you'll notice that the first five chords (E A D G & C) serve as the shape basis for the following five chords (F Bb Eb Ab Db), just one semitone moved up and barred. Continue this exercise down the entire freboard and reverse back down for a good hand stretch. Alternate this exercise by substituting minor chord voicings for major to switch up your routine.

"Rolodex"

For the "Rolodex" exercise, we'll focus on 3-note-per-string diatonic scales. Remember that there are two E strings (given that you're not in a drop D style tuning), which tells us that all notes are repeated or mirrored on these two strings, eliminating one-sixth of the battle (given that you're playing a 6-string guitar).

*TIP: there are 7 diatonic scales as follows in order: 1. Ionian, 2. Dorian, 3. Phyrgian, 4. Lydian, 5. Mixolydian, 6. Aeolian/Natual Minor, and 7. Locrian

For this warm-up, we will be transitioning starting in the first position in whichever scale order/key you prefer, for example: Key of F Major(only one flat note Bb) (Ionian), 1st fret: Proceed through the scale normally with 3-note-per-string patterns until you get to the 3rd fret on the B-string (start of D Aeolian pattern).

Instead of proceeding to the high E-string 3rd fret to start G Dorian, you will descend down to the low-E string 3rd fret to start G Dorian there and continue through the 3-note-per-string pattern until you get to the 5th fret on the B-string to start the E Locrian you will descend back to the low-E string 5th fret to start A Phrygian, and continue to cycle through this warm-up until you run out of the fretboard. 

Depending on whether you started on the high or low E string, you will switch and reverse the pattern going the opposite way down the fretboard.

There are limitless variations of this warm-up, but another useful variation is to run the 3-note-per-string patterns in 3rds through the scale (skipping or bouncing over every other scale degree as such: 1, 3, 2, 4, 3, 5, 4, 6, 5, 7, etc).

Incorporating these exercises into your fret hand warm-up routine can help improve your finger dexterity and independence. It's recommended that you start slowly, gradually increasing the speed as you get more comfortable with the exercises. It's also important to use a metronome to keep a steady pace and focus on accuracy.

The exercises above are due in part from lessons learned from the following guitarists whose expertise has proven invaluable over the years: resources like Richard Lloyd's Alchemical Guitarist Guitar World instructional columns, Steve Vai's 8-hour guitar workout from Guitar World October 2007, and Ben Eller's YouTube channel (@BenEller) are great places to find additional exercises and tips to improve your playing.

Remember, a proper warm-up routine is crucial to preventing injuries and improving your playing. Try to dedicate some time each day practicing these exercises to improve your guitar skills and achieve your musical goals.