4 Easy Finger Exercises for Guitar

Want to play guitar better? It all starts with strong fingers! Not only does finger strength help with finger dexterity and accuracy, but it also helps to prevent injuries. There are a number of easy finger exercises for guitar to make sure your fingers are strong and flexible.

Guitar Fingers: Fretting and Strumming Hand

Prior to giving your fingers a workout, it is important that you learn about them.

The fretting hand is responsible for pressing down the strings to create notes, while the strumming hand is used to strike the strings with a pick or the bare hand. Each hand has a different role to play, but both are essential for creating great music.

Left Hand Finger Names

There are four main fingers on the fretting hand, which are labeled as follows:

• Index finger – first finger, 1
• Middle finger – second finger, 2
• Ring finger – third finger, 3
• Pinky finger – fourth finger, 4

The thumb is not used as much on the fretting hand, as it is on the strumming hand. It is positioned behind the guitar’s neck. But, it can be used to hold down notes on the lower strings.

Also, keep in mind that when you’re reading a chord chart or tab, the fingers are labeled with the numerals 1, 2, 3, and 4.

Right Hand Finger Names

The right hand is a little different, as the thumb is used more frequently. The finger names are as follows:

• p – thumb
• i – index finger (1)
• m – middle finger (2)
• a – ring finger (3)
• c – chiquito, little finger

When strumming the guitar, you will only use a combination of these fingers. The most common method is to use the thumb and index finger.

When fingerpicking, you will use the thumb, index finger, middle and ring finger. The little finger is not used as much but can be used for certain techniques.

4 Easy Finger Exercises for Guitar Players

Let’s begin with some warm-up exercises before we get started.

• Warm up your fingers before playing by rubbing your hands together or using a hand warmer.
• Stretch out your fingers, wrists, and arms to prevent strain while playing.
• Do some finger exercises to warm up your fretting hand such as finger extensions, finger curls, and finger presses.
• Use a finger trainer to help build up strength and dexterity in your fingers.

Finger Exercise #0: The Stretch

This finger exercise is great for warming up your fingers before you start playing.

• Extend your arm in front of you and make a fist.
• Use your other hand to pull back on each finger, stretching them out as far as you can.
• Hold the stretch for at least 15-30 seconds before releasing.
• Repeat the stretch with each finger individually.

There are other hand and wrist stretches to try. Experiment to see which ones work best for you.

Now that you know the basics of each hand, it’s time to start working those fingers out! These are easy, fun and effective guitar finger exercises.

Finger Exercise #1: Basic Chromatic Scale

The chromatic scale is a wonderful finger exercise for guitar players of all levels, and it’s especially beneficial to beginners.

This exercise requires the use of all four fingers, also known as the 1, 2, 3, 4 exercise.

 e|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
 B|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
 G|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
 D|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
 A|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
 E|--1-2-3-4-2-3-4-5-3-4-5-6-4-5-6-7-5-6-7-8-6-7-8-9-7-8-9-10-8-9-10-11-9-10-11-12-|

Option 1: Single String Sequence

• Starting on the low E string, place your first finger on the first fret.
• With your first finger still pressed down, place your second finger on the second fret.
• Continue this pattern until you reach the fourth fret with your fourth finger.
• Play the pattern up the fretboard by a half step until you reach the 12th fret. Once you reach the 12th fret, start back at the first fret and repeat.
• Repeat this finger exercise as many times as you can.
• You may also play the pattern in reverse, from the 12th fret to the first fret, where it is 4-3-2-1.
• Repeat the sequence on the remaining strings if you’re already familiar with playing on the sixth string.

Option 2: A Four-Fret Sequence

 e|--------------------------------------------------------------------1--2--3--4--|
 B|-------------------------------------------------------1--2--3--4---------------| 
 G|------------------------------------------1--2--3--4----------------------------|
 D|-----------------------------1--2--3--4-----------------------------------------|
 A|----------------1--2--3--4------------------------------------------------------|
 E|---1--2--3--4-------------------------------------------------------------------|

• Starting on the low E string, place your first finger on the first fret.
• With your first finger still pressed down, place your second finger on the second fret.
• Continue this pattern until you reach the fourth fret with your fourth finger.
• Repeat this order on the next 5 strings.

Finger Exercise #2:  The Two-Finger Exercise

The 1-2-1-2 finger pattern is another name for this exercise, in which you use your index and middle fingers on the first two strings. It’s simpler than the chromatic scale and perfect for beginners.

  e|-------------------------------------1--2-------------------------------------|
  B|-------------------------------1--2--------1--2-------------------------------| 
  G|------------------------1--2----------------------1--2------------------------|
  D|-----------------1--2------------------------------------1--2-----------------|
  A|----------1--2--------------------------------------------------1--2----------|
  E|---1--2----------------------------------------------------------------1--2---|

• Starting on the 6th, low E string, place your first finger on the first fret.
• With your first finger still pressed down, place your second finger on the second fret.
• Continue this pattern down to the 1st, high E string.
• Once you reach the first string, start back at the sixth string and repeat.

Finger Exercise #3: Skipping a Note

This finger exercise is a variation of the chromatic scale and can be played on any string. Skipping a fret will train your fingers to move independently from one another. The muscle strength of the finger is improved by this stretch. It’s ideal for guitarists looking to boost their finger dexterity.

In this case, the pattern is 1-3-2-4, which is played on four frets.

  e|---------------------------------------------------------------1-3-2-4--------|
  B|----------------------------------------------------1-3-2-4-------------------| 
  G|-----------------------------------------1-3-2-4------------------------------|
  D|------------------------------1-3-2-4-----------------------------------------|
  A|-------------------1-3-2-4----------------------------------------------------|
  E|--------1-3-2-4---------------------------------------------------------------|

• Starting on the low E string, place your index finger on the first fret.
• Skip one fret and place your ring finger on the third fret of the same string.
• Now place your middle finger on the second fret and your pinky on the fourth.
• Play this pattern in a single string sequence, moving half a step ahead until you reach the 12th fret or concentrate on four frets and work your way down the rest of the strings.

Finger Exercise #4: Six-Note Sequence

This is a long version of the third finger exercise to help improve finger independence and flexibility.

The pattern is:  1-3-2-4-1-4

e|-------------------------------------------------------------------1-3-2-4-1-4--|
B|------------------------------------------------------1-3-2-4-1-4---------------| 
G|-----------------------------------------1-3-2-4-1-4----------------------------|
D|----------------------------1-3-2-4-1-4-----------------------------------------|
A|---------------1-3-2-4-1-4------------------------------------------------------|
E|--1-3-2-4-1-4-------------------------------------------------------------------|

• Starting with your first finger on the first fret, play all six notes in order: 1-3-2-4-1-4
• Play this pattern up the 12th fret or down the remaining strings, as desired.

Fretting and Picking Hand Guidelines

There are a few basic guidelines that will help you in playing well with both hands.

Fretting Hand

Your left hand is the one that does most of your guitar work. This is why it is important to develop good fretting technique with this hand. Here are some tips to help you:

• The thumb should be positioned behind the neck, about half way down. This gives you the most finger mobility and reach for the frets.

• The fingertips, not the finger pads, should do the fretting.
• Keep your finger as close to the fret wire as possible.
• Curl your fingers to avoid muting other strings.
• Use just enough pressure to hold down the string.
• Don’t bend your wrist too much or too little.
• When fretting the note sequence, do not lift your fingers until you’ve fretted all four notes.

Picking Hand

The picking hand is just as important as the fretting hand when it comes to playing guitar. Proper finger placement and technique will result in smoother, cleaner sounding chords and lead lines.

• Hold the pick between your thumb and first finger.
• Use an up-and-down motion when picking the string. If you’re just getting started, you may begin with an all-downstroke motion. However, don’t get too used to playing downstrokes all of the time.
• Practice alternate picking in order to play better in the long run. If you want to be able to play your guitar at a fast speed, alternate picking is an important skill. Using alternate picking allows you to play at twice the speed of down-picking.

• Start with a slower speed and then gradually raise the speed as soon as you’re comfortable.
• Keep your wrist relaxed and let your hand move freely.
• Don’t grip the pick too tightly.
• Use your wrist to control the pick, not your whole arm.
• Keep your elbow close to your body.
• Relax your shoulders and let your arm hang freely.
• Experiment with different picking techniques and find what works best for you.

Why is it important to do finger exercises?

Finger exercises are essential for guitar players because they help to build finger strength, dexterity, and independence. These finger exercises are perfect for guitarists who want to improve their picking speed and accuracy.

In addition, finger exercises can help to prevent finger injuries. By doing finger exercises regularly, you can keep your fingers in shape and avoid any potential problems.

Get Your Fingers in Shape!

It’s possible in just 5 minutes every day.

However, with practice, it is possible to get those fingers working together. The key is to start slowly and be patient. Gradually, you will develop the muscle memory needed to make complex chords. So take care of them – your fingers are the key to great sound!