How do I slide my fingers across the strings faster, as well as getting to the note?

Question

Hey, i am a new beginner to acoustic guitar and i have had my guitar for 3 days now and i know 3 songs already.. but to do other songs, i can't move my fingers fast enough the strings to get to the other notes... for now im only doing tab and i will get to the notes but i am focusing on learning songs with tab.. so how can i get man hand/fingers moving faster across the strings the get to the right note... also should i start using my pinky finger??

thanks in advance

pb17 :)

Answer 1

One word of advice for you - PRACTICE.  Then practice some more, and then when you''re done practicing -- practice some more.  Start SLOW and work on getting your timing and rhythm rock solid and steady with good clean tone.  You should play as slow as you need to, to get the rhythm and tone perfect.  Speed should be the last thing on your mind.  Playing fast before you've mastered the fundamentals just guarantees that you'll be a sloppy guitar player that nobody wants to play with because you can't keep a steady beat and your tone sucks.

You've been playing guitar for 3 days and you already know 3 songs? Somehow I doubt that, unless the 3 songs are "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star", "Mary Had A Little Lamb", and "Row Row Row Your Boat".   Either that or you're the greatest musical prodigy since Mozart, which I also doubt.

Answer 2

Definitely use your pinky--a good guitarist uses all five fingers on the fretboard (yes, a thumb can be used as well to deaden the sixth string in chords).

One word: practice.  After 3 days you can't expect any sort of results.  Play regularly for several months/years and see if you still have a problem.