Classical Guitar Exercises

Exercises allow us to develop stronger, more facile hands.  Not only do we build strength, but also flexibility, dexterity, and control.  Here are a few exercises to aid your classical guitar progress.

  1. Rasgueados – Rasgueados are a Spanish strumming technique.  But when done with both hands, off the guitar, they are a powerful exercise.  They add control and muscle, while also developing independence.
  2. Slurs – “Hammer-ons and Pull-offs” are perhaps the best exercise for the left hand on guitar.  Not only do they build control and strength, but they are also used in music.
  3. Independence Exercises – These exercises are specifically designed to increase finger independence.

Scales and Arpeggios as Classical Guitar Exercises

  • Scales – Scales are wonderful for both hands.  They synchronize the hands and build speed and dexterity.
  • Arpeggios – “Finger-picking patterns” are a big part of classical guitar technique.  They can also be used as right-hand exercise.

Other Helpful Links for Exercises on Guitar

All Exercise Tutorials:

  1. 1234-4321-1434-2434
  2. 2-Finger Rasgueado Strumming for Spanish Flamenco Music
  3. 3 Tips for Comfortable Slurs: Easier Hammer-Ons and Pull-Offs
  4. A Wicked Left-Hand Exercise: Extended Slurs
  5. Are You Practicing, or Exercising? The Truth Will Set You Free!
  6. Beautiful Ornaments and Trills: Exercises for Practice
  7. Better Rhythm in 3 Minutes per Day
  8. Classical Guitar Right Hand Exercises for Strength and Control
  9. Classical Guitar Speed Bursts
  10. Classical Guitar Technique Off-Guitar Exercises for Travel, Strength, and Stretch
  11. First Scale Exercise for Beginning Guitarists
  12. Guitar Finger Exercises for Strength, Flexibility, and Independence
  13. How to Create Guitar Exercises from Pieces of Music
  14. How to Develop Left Hand Finger Independence
  15. How to Learn New Guitar Chords: A Proprioception Exercise
  16. How to Play Guitar with Less Left-Hand Tension
  17. How to Use a Metronome for Guitar Practice
  18. Left-Hand Finger Independence and Stretch, with Odair’s Favorite Drill
  19. Practice On the Go, with Guitar Finger Games
  20. QuickStart Guide to Practicing Scales on the Guitar
  21. Rasgueados for BOTH Hands: Strength and Stretch Anywhere
  22. Reduce Tension and Improve Your Touch, with Buzzed Notes
  23. Scale Fragments, for Fluid Scales and Melodic Mastery
  24. Scissors Exercise for I and M Alternation
  25. Sergio Assad’s Left Hand Independence Workout
  26. Slurs: The Classical Guitar Equivalent to 6-Pack Abs
  27. Spanish Flamenco Guitar Technique: How to Play Rasgueado Strumming Patterns
  28. Speed and Precision Exercises for Classical Guitar
  29. The “Dead-Handing” Exercise for Less Guitar Tension and More Stamina
  30. The Chromatic Scale on Classical Guitar (What and Why)
  31. Thumb-Muting Exercise to Mute Bass Strings in Guitar Music