Hey Cosmin, How ya going mate?

I was wondering if you could point me in the direction of a great warm up routine. An interesting warm up.... Excercises, or drill's...Im not too fussed, i just wanted a great warm up to get my fingers ready for lead playing, AP etc...

Thanks

This post has been edited by JaxN4: Aug 28 2011, 03:16 AM

Sorry for bursting in on Cosmin's territory but I thought I'd just quickly share something that warms my hands up seemingly quicker than anything else. Sweeping.. it doesn't have to be fast but sweeping large shapes (like 5 string shapes) work both hands and help get the blood flowing. I often find it very hard to get my picking hand nice and warm but sweeping seems to do the trick because of the rolling hand movements required !

Hi Ben, Thanks for the advice I will certainly apply it.....Cheers!

coffee,i know it sonds weird,but i have found if i am warm on the inside, my fingers warm up quicker

Hey mate well, I've been a little off from the computer these last 2 days and I'm glad Ben gave you a good advice as well, so, let's see

A very good drill which I'm always working with would be chromatic exercises. Assuming that you have 4 fingers at your left hand, you can invent a lot of fingering combinations. Here would be some that I like:

1432 4321 4312 4123

or

1342 1243 4213 4312

or

1243 1432 4312 3214

The numbers belong to each finger at your left hand (1 - index, 2 - middle, 3 - ring finger, 4 - little finger)
alternate pick these vertically - starting from the low e string towards your high e string. Shift one fret up when you reach the high e string and continue from there towards the low e string and so on you will develop a tremendous finger independence as well as good alternate picking skills.

Now, the idea is that you can create a lot of these combinations by yourself - the harder they are for the fingers, the better they'll work your finger independence and warm you up very well

Start slowly, until you can build your muscle memory - these are not obvious exercises so they shall be a little more difficult than others.

Please let me know if you have any trouble with them and of course, if I can further help you

Awesome, thanks mate. I had a chromatic excercise going already but not like the on you just posted. I will use it for sure. Thanks mate, always appreciate it.!!


I know what u mean with coffee/caffieine....I drink a bit of "Red Bull"....epic energy rush...not too good for your kidney's, liver...but o well

The pleasure is mine mate! And with the coffee - not too much, otherwise it'll go the other way around! You'll feel very jumpy and restless enough not to be able to focus on playing tested it on myself! Although we are all different and I can't really say if it's gonna have the same effect on you as well

Hey man! How's it going with the exercises?

Hi! Your a Legend mate...thanks for checking up on me. It's going really well. I picked the hardest combo for me which was 1423, was uncordinated at first but I am quick with it now, and I reverse it going back up the neck....It has really helped my finger independance and strength....which has enabled me to tackle harder lick/lessons and also add that touch of confidence to myn playing.

I appreciate your help!

You have no idea how glad this makes me feel! Thanks for helping me with a great morning start! I think I got some more up my sleeve

I'll check out my stuff and post some more variation - more 'cross strings' oriented this time!

Awesome....i have found it helps alot with the pinky finger too, helps w/ legato also....good drills mate, cheers again

Always keep your mind and finger muscles busy it'll pay off, trust me