Tips for Developing Finger Dexterity and Strength on the Guitar

As you are all probably aware, there are no shortcuts to developing finger strength and dexterity when learning to play the guitar. Why should there be? There aren't many everyday actions involving our hands or fingers that relate to playing the guitar. In most cases, learning to play the guitar involves new movements and muscle development required for holding, positioning, and fretting with the minimal tension. While some initial tension may be necessary to get started, the aim as you progress should be to learn how to relax and play with the least tension possible. We are going to give you a few ideas and tips on how you can start developing that core finger strength without tension and a mindset to match. 

Strength

Starting with the concept of strength in guitar playing, beginners are often taught to squeeze hard on the frets to produce clear notes. However, as players progress, the advice shifts towards playing with minimal tension. This shift might seem contradictory, but it highlights the distinction between general strength and core strength in guitar technique.

General strength refers to the force required to produce a note without muffling or choking it, allowing it to ring out clearly. On the other hand, core strength is the stability and control of the finger muscles, facilitating subtle nuances and precise movements. 

The vibrato technique serves as a perfect example of core strength. To execute vibrato effectively, you need to possess sufficient strength to fret the note while maintaining a light touch on the fret as you wobble the string. This light touch enables the string to glide smoothly across the metal fret, as opposed to grinding against the fret. The final secret ingredient is stability, maintaining consistent pressure while wobbling the note to sustain its sound. 

Now, there are various areas where you can work on core strength, but let's focus on the basic concept of improving core strength on the guitar.

The lightest of touches 

Firstly, select any single note on the guitar and take note of the pressure you apply to produce the sound. Next, gently touch the string and continue to pick the note; you should hear a muted sound. Gradually increase the pressure, and you'll encounter the familiar fret buzz. As you apply a bit more pressure, the note should become clear and resonant. 

Now, compare the pressure you used initially with the amount required to achieve a clear note. Chances are, they are not the same! The exercise here is to take any scale or exercise you've been practising and play it mindfully using the least amount of pressure possible. You'll likely find that you need to play at a slower pace. Experiment with the pressure until you can play without hearing the fret buzz; this will guide you in determining the optimal amount of force needed. While playing with the lightest of touches, you should observe that it demands a considerable amount of core strength to achieve stability. It's normal to experience shaky hands initially. However, when you can play without shaking, it indicates that you've developed good core strength in your fretting hand. It may be a gradual process, but the payoff will be worth it!

Dexterity 

Now that we've focused on developing our core strengths, it's time to have some fun with dexterity. In guitar playing, dexterity is the ability to move fingers on command and accurately across the fretboard, making it easier to play music. One of the best ways to improve dexterity is by practising unnatural finger movements. 

Do you remember how much harder Pentatonic shape 2 was compared to shape 1? The different finger combinations can feel less natural, right? To enhance your dexterity, work through various non-musical exercises, scales, and arpeggios. These exercises introduce new movements and challenges.

A great starting point is learning the CAGED system and mastering all five positions for pentatonic scales, arpeggios, and chords. Then, connect them systematically. But it doesn't stop there! You can apply the same systematic approach to Major, minor, harmonic, and melodic minor scales. There's plenty of material available to help you build dexterity and develop the essential skills for playing the music you love. So, embrace the technical journey and cherish the process!

Options away from the guitar

Developing strength and dexterity for guitar playing can be something other than directly on the guitar. I highly recommend searching on YouTube for wrist yoga exercises. Most of these exercises can be done while sitting down and performed anywhere. Additionally, gadgets can be a fun and effective way to improve strength. My all-time favourite is the Powerball gyroscope and finger trainers like the D'Addario Varigrip are also excellent options.

So there we have it! The best way forward is always practice, and choosing to take this knowledge and apply it next time you pick up the guitar will make all the difference!