Faster than Tapping? Let’s find out
Here’s a guitar run that I often use that I’ve been playing now for about 10 years. At first it was a struggle to get the speed up to where I have it now. But with metronome practice which always starts at a slow tempo, the passage started to get faster and faster over time. I’ve found this to also be an amazing warm up, really at any speed. The key again is to learn it slow at a slow tempo- and just keep doing it every day or as frequently as you can. And before you know it, you’ll start to gain speed when your hands remember it. And for all you fingerstyle guitarists, this can also be accomplished without a pick.
How it’s done
There’s a total of 6 triplets strung together descending down the neck on string 1. Starting at the 15th fret, we use a pull off going to the 12th fret followed by a slide (with your index finger) down to fret 10. But even though there is three notes, we only pluck the first and third note. The run continues down the neck using the G major scale. And yes if you are curious, this could be converted to minor, another scale or another key.
Here’s a breakdown of each move:
- Pull off on fret 15 to 12- followed by a slide to 10 (downstroke pluck 15, upstroke pluck 10)
- Pull off on fret 12 to 10- followed by a slide to 8 (downstroke pluck 12, upstroke pluck 8)
- Pull off on fret 10 to 8- followed by a slide to 7 (downstroke pluck 10, upstroke pluck 7)
- Pull off on fret 8 to 7- followed by a slide to 5 (downstroke pluck 8, upstroke pluck 5)
- Pull off on fret 7 to 5- followed by a slide to 3 (downstroke pluck 7, upstroke pluck 3)
- Pull off on fret 5 to 3- followed by a slide to 2 (downstroke pluck 5, upstroke pluck 2)
- downstroke pick 3
The conservation of energy by only needing to pluck two of the three notes in each section is the reason why you can gain a lot of speed on this passage. It’s difficult at first to coordinate, but once you get it at a slow tempo, that’s when you can start working at getting it faster.
If you need any help or have questions, please leave a comment below. Also too, I’d like to send you the sheet music for this- please let me know where to send it in my form below.. Always wishing you all the best on your guitar!!!
bob
Author: Bob Harris
Thank you Bob. I really do appreciate the time and effort you put into these.
Hi Erin, glad you are here and thank you! Wishing you a great guitar weekend!!
Hi bob you still have got those fast fingers hahaha keep on picking
Aussie Mark
Trying to keep up with those great Aussie guitarists!
Hi bob you still cease to amaze keep those finger moving
Aussie Mark
Hey my friend Mark, happy to hear from you! Yea, this is brisk to say the least!
Thanks for sharing this. A little more practice with the G scale (& others) is always a good thing. 🤗
Hey Barb, I’ve already taught this move in Fireflies (I forget which measure but it’s in the B section.) Happy Sunday!!
My first impression was: WTF. Then I got it.
Great little exercise! You are the best.
Thank you Bob
Jess
Hey Jesse, ha ha… yea, kind of fast.. and a great exercise. Wishing you a great guitar year 2026!!
Hi Bob
Happy new year.
Thanks for all your lessons.
This will get my 73 year old fingers working
Hey Les, and a happy new year to you too. Wishing you good pickin’ 2026!!!
Hi Bob, and hears wishing You a Happy Peaceful and Positive 26.
Just watched your post, that’s a great exercise to break the practice up.
Thank You, your thoughts and words of wisdom are always appreciated.
Regards
Keith
From a cross the pond.
Hey Keith, yea this is a lot of fun and definitely a great warmup. Wishing you a great 2026 on your guitar!!!