Why Technique Matters More Than Speed in Guitar Playing

Technique wins over speed any day when it comes to playing the guitar. It’s easy to get caught up in the race for speed, especially if you see other guitarists who seem to effortlessly fly through notes. But focusing too much on speed can end up doing more harm than good in the long run.

Most new players think they are making progress when they are able to increase the speed of their fingers, and are using speed as the determining factor as to how good of a player they are. Yes, the ability to play fast is very impressive, but not if it is at the expense of technique. Good fretting technique, picking technique, hand positioning and body posture are what make the ability to play really shine through, and without these things, you will just find that playing fast creates tension, inaccuracies and buzzing and muffled notes which will create a blockage to playing with clarity, and further improvement.

Good technique provides economy of motion which actually makes playing faster much easier. If the fingers only move the distance needed and stay close to the strings, shifting between notes is easier, quicker and less tiring. More practice time is possible without fatigue. If your hands are moving around a lot, you have to constantly adjust them and you will tire quickly. Little details translate to fluency at any speed.

Strong technique also enables consistency in tone. With guitar, the way a note is played can affect its tone, and even the slightest change in finger pressure, fingernail angle, or pick velocity can yield a drastically different tone. So the primary emphasis is on technique because guitarists who strive for speed alone produce music that sounds stiff and inconsistent. By paying attention to technique first, every note produced becomes clear and consistent and the melody and chord is produced with a sense of intent, not simply by chance. The emphasis on quality of sound is what separates playing that sounds musical from playing that sounds technical.

Technique also aids in the establishment of a strong sense of rhythm. A fast tempo is of little use if it is not consistent, but frequently pressure from technical errors causes an inconsistent rhythm, therefore reducing the inner pulse. Through relaxed hands and fingers, controlled motions also contribute to keeping the two hands in sync and prevent pushing a finger down before it’s “time.” This is necessary for playing with other musicians, as well.

In conclusion, the emphasis should always be placed on technique, as speed will always develop when the time is right. When you focus on technique, it is then that you can approach playing in the fast lane if you want, and also be able to play in whatever style of music you want. This is where you can play louder and softer, and play with more emotion. Technique allows speed to happen, but in a controlled way.