Tired of the Same Old Guitar Exercises? Try This!

Have you ever wanted to practice guitar but felt tired of repeating the same exercises over and over? It happens to me quite often too. However, I’ve found a way to make practice more musical and engaging—keeping it interesting while continuing to improve.

Daily exercises are extremely important for technical progress. In my free masterclass, I recommend several fundamental exercises, but sometimes adding variety can be really beneficial. One of the strategies I use is taking songs from the Rock, Blues, or Jazz repertoire and using them as a foundation to work on specific techniques.

This morning, I woke up early (a rare event!) and decided to warm up my hands with some playing. I thought I’d share with you three exercises I practiced—perfect for improving essential techniques.

1. Arpeggios & Sweep Picking

One of the exercises I revisited today is Eugene’s Trick Bag from the movie Crossroads, an iconic piece performed by Steve Vai. While the original version is extremely fast, you don’t have to play it at that speed. What truly matters is the lesson behind the piece.

This exercise is fantastic for working on arpeggios and sweep picking. It helps me solidify my picking control and make transitions between different arpeggio shapes smoother. I had forgotten how effective and inspiring it is, even though I hadn’t played it in a while!

2. Scales & Alternate Picking

Another exercise I worked on this morning focused on alternate picking, and I used Thunderstruck by AC/DC—an excellent exercise for improving picking control and precision.

An interesting aspect of this piece is the use of open strings, which requires precise coordination between the right and left hands. While it may seem simple, keeping the sound clean without accidentally hitting unwanted notes is a real challenge!

3. Hammer-Ons, Pull-Offs & Dynamics

Finally, I focused on hammer-ons and pull-offs by playing the intro of Beneath the Light by Chuck Loeb. Some passages are quite intricate and can be approached with either alternate picking or legato. Switching between these techniques helps develop a more expressive and dynamic touch.

In the original versions of certain songs, guitarists use different techniques depending on the style and sound they want to achieve. I experimented with both approaches, trying to determine which was more effective for my playing style.

Conclusion

These are just a few examples of how I turn technical practice into a musical experience—keeping it engaging while improving my skills. If you want to dive deeper into these topics, you can sign up for my free masterclass, where you’ll find useful materials such as scale and chord booklets.

And if you love great guitar music, check out my albums Urban Legends and Silent Moments on Spotify. Some of my tracks have reached the #1 spot on iTunes charts in various countries, including Belgium and the Netherlands.

Happy practicing! 🎸