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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
- How to Warm Up on Guitar – When we jump directly into exercises, we may run the risk of pain and injury. Warming up will help you avoid discomfort.
- Tendonitis, Pain, and Injury – Here you’ll find treatments and quick-fixes for tendonitis and stress injuries. And you’ll also find reading on avoiding pain.
- How to Sit and Hold the Guitar – This helps set you up for success.
All Exercise Tutorials:
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- 2-Finger Rasgueado Strumming for Spanish Flamenco Music
- 3 Tips for Comfortable Slurs: Easier Hammer-Ons and Pull-Offs
- A Wicked Left-Hand Exercise: Extended Slurs
- Are You Practicing, or Exercising? The Truth Will Set You Free!
- Beautiful Ornaments and Trills: Exercises for Practice
- Classical Guitar Right Hand Exercises for Strength and Control
- Classical Guitar Speed Bursts
- Classical Guitar Technique Off-Guitar Exercises for Travel, Strength, and Stretch
- Guitar Finger Exercises for Strength, Flexibility, and Independence
- How to Create Guitar Exercises from Pieces of Music
- How to Develop Left Hand Finger Independence
- How to Learn New Guitar Chords: A Proprioception Exercise
- How to Play Guitar with Less Left-Hand Tension
- How to Play Rasgueados: the Basics
- How to Use a Metronome for Guitar Practice
- Left-Hand Finger Independence and Stretch, with Odair’s Favorite Drill
- Practice On the Go, with Guitar Finger Games
- QuickStart Guide to Practicing Scales on the Guitar
- Rasgueados for BOTH Hands: Strength and Stretch Anywhere
- Reduce Tension and Improve Your Touch, with Buzzed Notes
- Scale Fragments, for Fluid Scales and Melodic Mastery
- Scissors Exercise for I and M Alternation
- Sergio Assad’s Left Hand Independence Workout
- Slurs: The Classical Guitar Equivalent to 6-Pack Abs
- Speed and Precision Exercises for Classical Guitar
- The Chromatic Scale on Classical Guitar (What and Why)
- Thumb-Muting Exercise to Mute Bass Strings in Guitar Music