As an advanced guitarist, you’re likely always on the lookout for new ways to improve and elevate your playing. Mastering advanced guitar techniques can transform your sound, unlock new possibilities, and help you express yourself more fully as a musician. Whether you’re aiming to shred like a pro or add more nuance to your playing, learning from professional musicians can take your skills to the next level.
In this article, we’ll explore some advanced guitar techniques that are essential for serious guitarists. From mastering chord extensions to perfecting sweep picking, these tips will help you refine your playing and push beyond your current limits.
1. Master Chord Extensions
If you’ve already nailed your basic major and minor chords, it’s time to expand your harmonic vocabulary with chord extensions. These are chords that go beyond the basic triads, adding additional tones like the 7th, 9th, 11th, and 13th. Chord extensions can breathe new life into your rhythm playing and give your sound a more sophisticated feel, especially in genres like jazz, funk, and even metal.
- 7th chords: Adding a 7th to a major or minor chord adds complexity and color to the harmony. A common example is the Cmaj7 chord, which is often used in jazz and bossa nova.
- 9th chords: By incorporating the 9th, you add a note that is two steps above the octave, giving a more jazzy and fluid sound. For example, D9 is widely used in blues and rock.
- 11th and 13th chords: These extensions add even more depth to your playing and are frequently used in jazz fusion, funk, and progressive rock.
Learning how to integrate these extended chords into your chord progressions allows you to explore new musical textures. Practice moving between basic chords and their extended counterparts to understand how these tones can change the mood and feel of a song.
2. Develop Your Sweep Picking Technique
Sweep picking is a flashy yet effective technique often associated with metal and shred guitar styles. It involves playing several notes on adjacent strings in one smooth, fluid motion. Instead of picking each note individually, you “sweep” the pick across the strings, allowing for rapid arpeggios and incredibly fast passages.
To develop this technique:
- Start by practicing simple arpeggios using just three strings. For example, try a minor arpeggio shape across the high E, B, and G strings.
- Focus on keeping your picking motion smooth and consistent, with minimal hand movement.
- Gradually increase your speed, but remember that precision and cleanliness are more important than speed at the beginning.
As you become more comfortable with sweep picking, you can expand to more complex arpeggios and use this technique in solos and riffs. Many metal guitarists, like Jason Becker and Yngwie Malmsteen, have mastered this technique to create impressive runs and melodic lines.
3. Expand Your Legato Technique
Legato is a technique that allows you to play fast, smooth lines without picking every note. It involves using hammer-ons and pull-offs to connect notes in a fluid, continuous motion. When played correctly, legato gives your playing a smooth and flowing sound, making it an essential tool for both fast runs and melodic phrasing.
To build your legato skills:
- Start with basic hammer-on and pull-off exercises, focusing on keeping the volume consistent between picked and unpicked notes.
- Practice three-note-per-string scales using only hammer-ons and pull-offs. This will help you build finger strength and control.
- Incorporate legato into your solos and licks to create fluid, connected phrases that feel effortless.
Once you have a strong command of legato, you can blend it with other techniques like tapping or sweep picking to create dynamic and varied solos.
4. Improve Your Bending and Vibrato
A guitarist’s ability to bend strings and apply vibrato is often what separates beginners from advanced players. Both of these techniques are key to adding expressiveness to your playing, allowing you to convey emotion through subtle variations in pitch.
Bending:
- Practice bending notes accurately by targeting specific pitches. For example, try bending a note up a full step and hold it in tune.
- Use a tuner to check if your bends are reaching the correct pitch, especially if you’re new to this technique.
Vibrato:
- Vibrato adds a vocal-like quality to your playing, and there are many different styles to explore—from wide, dramatic vibrato to more subtle, controlled variations.
- Practice applying vibrato at different speeds and intensities to find what works best for the mood of the song. Pay attention to players like David Gilmour or B.B. King, who are known for their distinctive vibrato.
Mastering bending and vibrato will greatly improve your ability to express emotion and connect with your audience.
5. Learn to Tap
Two-hand tapping is a technique that allows you to use both hands on the fretboard to play notes. It’s a popular technique in rock, metal, and even jazz-fusion guitar playing. Tapping can be used for fast runs, melodic lines, and even chordal passages, making it a versatile tool in any guitarist’s arsenal.
To get started:
- Begin with simple tapping exercises using just one finger on your picking hand. For example, tap a note on the 12th fret while holding a note on the 5th fret with your fretting hand.
- Practice tapping scales, focusing on keeping the tapped notes clean and in time with your fretting hand.
Advanced guitarists like Eddie Van Halen and Steve Vai have made tapping a core part of their playing style, using it to create unique and complex solos.
6. Transcribe Solos and Licks
One of the best ways to elevate your playing is to transcribe difficult solos and licks by ear. Transcribing forces you to break down the intricate details of what’s being played, giving you a deeper understanding of phrasing, technique, and note choice.
To begin:
- Choose a solo from one of your favorite guitarists. Start with something that challenges you but is within your reach.
- Listen to the solo repeatedly, focusing on small sections at a time. Write down the notes, and then work on figuring out the fingerings on your guitar.
- After transcribing the solo, practice it until you can play it smoothly and accurately.
Transcribing is an excellent way to expand your vocabulary and improve your ear, as well as learning new techniques from guitarists you admire.
7. Experiment with New Styles
It’s easy to get stuck in a musical rut, but one of the best ways to grow as a guitarist is to explore new genres and styles. Stepping outside of your comfort zone can expose you to different techniques, rhythms, and chord progressions that you wouldn’t encounter otherwise.
For example:
- If you’re used to playing rock or metal, try learning a few jazz standards or exploring flamenco guitar. Both styles will challenge you to develop new skills, like complex chord voicings or fingerpicking patterns.
- Learning funk rhythms can sharpen your timing and groove, while country-style playing can introduce you to hybrid picking techniques.
By expanding your musical horizons, you’ll not only become a more versatile guitarist but also gain a deeper appreciation for different genres.
8. Set Specific Goals
Lastly, if you want to level up your playing, it’s important to set specific goals. Identify the areas where you feel weakest, whether it’s sweep picking, legato runs, or sight-reading, and focus on improving those areas with targeted practice.
For example:
- If you struggle with speed, set a metronome to a slow tempo and gradually increase the speed as you improve.
- If you want to improve your improvisation skills, set aside time each day to solo over backing tracks in different keys and styles.
Setting clear, achievable goals will keep you motivated and ensure that you’re making consistent progress.
Conclusion
Becoming an advanced guitarist requires dedication, creativity, and the right techniques. By mastering chord extensions, sweep picking, legato, bending, tapping, and other advanced techniques, you’ll be well on your way to leveling up your guitar playing. Remember to keep challenging yourself, set specific goals, and most importantly, enjoy the process of learning and growing as a musician.
With practice and patience, these techniques will unlock new levels of skill and expression in your playing, helping you reach your full potential as a guitarist.
