The 7-Minute Practice Routine That

Will Double Your Speed

​

​

One of the biggest frustrations guitar players have is feeling stuck.

​

They practice chord changes over and over again, but no matter how much time they put in, they don't seem to get much faster.

​

The problem usually isn't effort.

​

It's how they're practicing.

​

In this article, I'm going to show you a simple 7-minute practice routine that I've used with hundreds of students to dramatically increase their chord change speed.

 

If you use this consistently, don't be surprised when your speed doubles.

​​​

Before we start, you need two things.

​

First, choose the chords you're working on.

​

For example: Em, G, D, C. Or whatever chord progression you're currently trying to improve.

​

Second, figure out your current top speed.

​

There are two ways to do this:

​

Option 1: Use a Metronome

​

Find the fastest tempo where you can play the chord progression with very few mistakes.

​

Option 2: Time Yourself

​

If you're not comfortable using a metronome, simply time how long it takes you to move through the progression smoothly.

​

For this routine, 100% speed means:

The fastest speed you can currently play with relatively no mistakes.

​

Once you know your progression and your top speed, you're ready to begin.

​

​

Minute 1: Left-Hand Training (Slow Motion)

​

 

For the first minute, focus only on your fretting hand.

​

No strumming.

​

No picking.

​

Just the left hand.

​

Move through the chord progression in extremely slow motion. And when I say slow, I mean painfully slow. Imagine someone filmed you playing at full speed and then slowed the video down by 50%.

​

That's what this should look like.

​

While you're moving slowly, check:

​

• Are your fingers curved?

• Is your thumb in the correct position?

• Are all fingers landing together?

• Are you using good technique?

 

This serves two purposes:

​

First, it allows you to catch mistakes.

​

Second, it teaches your brain what perfect movement actually looks like.

Do this for 60 seconds.

​​

​

Minute 2: Right-Hand Training (Slow Motion)

​​

​

Now isolate the picking or strumming hand.

​

Lightly rest your fretting hand on the strings so they stay muted.

​

You should hear a soft muted sound rather than open strings.

​

Now slowly play your strumming pattern or picking pattern.

​

Focus on:

​

• Holding the pick correctly

• Keeping the rhythm consistent

• Using clean motion

• Playing the pattern accurately

 

Again, do this for 60 seconds.

​​

​

Minute 3: Both Hands Together (Slow Motion)

​​

​

Now combine everything.

​

Play the progression in slow motion using both hands.

 

Continue checking:

​

• Left-hand technique

• Right-hand technique

• Timing

• Rhythm

• Finger placement

​

The goal is perfection, not speed. Spend 60 seconds here.

​​

​

Minute 4: Left Hand Beyond Maximum Speed

​​

​

Now things get interesting.

​

We're going to push beyond your comfort zone.

​

For the next minute, use only your left hand and move at roughly 103% to 105% of your maximum speed.

​

In other words: Go slightly faster than you're capable of doing cleanly.

​

This is called Half-and-Beyond Max Training.

​

Think about a baseball player warming up with weights attached to a bat. When the weights come off, the bat suddenly feels lighter. We're doing the same thing here.

​

By briefly working beyond your current limit, your normal speed starts to feel easier.

​

Do this for 60 seconds.

​​

​

Minute 5: Right Hand Beyond Maximum Speed

​​

​

Now isolate the right hand.

​

Push your strumming or picking pattern beyond your normal comfort zone.

​

Again, we're aiming for roughly 103% to 105% of your current maximum speed.

Mistakes are okay.

​

The goal is to challenge the system. Do this for 60 seconds.

​​

​

Minute 6: Both Hands Beyond Maximum Speed

​​

​

Now combine both hands. Play the progression at 103% to 105% speed. Don't worry if it's not perfect.

​

The goal is to expose your brain and muscles to speeds slightly beyond what feels comfortable.

​

Spend 60 seconds here.

​​

​

Minute 7: Return to 100%

​​

​

For the final minute, go back to your original top speed.

​

Most students immediately notice something interesting: The speed that felt difficult just a few minutes ago now feels easier.

​

More controlled. More relaxed. More comfortable.

​

That's exactly what we're after.

​

At the end of the session, test your speed again and see if you've improved.

​

Why This Works

​

Most guitar players only practice at one speed.

​

They either play too fast and make mistakes or play too slow without a purpose.

This routine gives you the best of both worlds.

​

You spend time:

​

• Programming perfect technique

• Building muscle memory

• Training beyond your current limit

• Reinforcing your maximum speed

​

And the whole thing takes just seven minutes.

​

Want Help Getting Faster Chord Changes?

​

If you're struggling with slow chord changes, buzzing chords, or feeling stuck in your playing, I'd love to help.

​

Schedule a Free, No-Obligation 45-Minute Guitar Breakthrough Session and we'll sit down together to identify exactly what's holding you back and create a step-by-step plan to fix it.

​

By the end of the session, you'll be playing cleaner, clearer chords—or I'll continue working with you for free until you do!

​

Click the link below to claim your session before spots fill up.