Build Muscle Memory

‘ When playing the guitar , muscle memory is very important . Muscle memory allows you to quickly navigate the neck of the guitar almost “ by touch ”; your fingers can themselves move along the frets and strings they should .

Playing a guitar without looking at the fretboard is the same as typing on a keyboard without looking at it . But the question arises : how to develop it ? The answer is simple : play as much as you can

In other words , you need to play a particular song on the guitar as much as possible so that your hands can remember it . While learning a song , look at the fretboard in the beginning , and then start looking away to the side , or try looking at the fretboard with your peripheral vision .

Use a mirror

Sit in front of a mirror , start playing , and look at the fretboard through the mirror . Next , we recommend that you periodically look away from the fretboard and look at something else . The advantages of this method include not only the development of the ability to play without looking at the fretboard but also the development of selfconfidence . Plus , you can analyze how the viewer sees you and adjust your appearance or behavior .

Practice transitions between chords

We ’ re sure you know more than two chords . But , to be honest , even two chords are enough for this case . So , come up with a simple chord progression , like Em Am C G .

Now you need to move these chords very slowly , but without looking at the fretboard . Try to press the chords as accurately as possible , gradually accelerating . If you find it quite easy , then make it more difficult - try playing the Am chord in its different variations : on the first and second fret - the first variation , and the second - on the fifth fret with barre . Use seventh chords , then try playing simple solos . The most important thing in this exercise is to avoid pauses when changing chords . Remember to move from simple to complex so you can automate blind chord changes .

Use chromaticism

The chromatic scale does not require specific theoretical knowledge , and its application is quite wide . However , this scale is considered an excellent exercise for developing many indicators : agility , flexibility , sense of rhythm , and , of course , sense of the fretboard .

Play four notes on one string before moving to the next string : then move to the lower string and play the same thing .

While that might sound easy , when you play chromatics blindly ,

it is quite easy to make a mistake and place your finger on the wrong string or the wrong fret . Use power chords Fifth chords or power chords are the simplest chords to use . Only beginners find it difficult to place them due to insufficient finger stretch .

However , for “ playing blindly ” these chords are considered an ideal trainer . All you have to do is try to change chords without looking at the fretboard . Difficulty can only arise when playing quickly and when moving a chord from the 10th fret to the 1st fret , for example . This difficulty is because the frets on the guitar have different sizes , and therefore musicians must “ spread ” or “ squeeze ” their fingers somewhat .

Power chords help you play without looking and also improve the flexibility of your fingers .

Play at random

Close your eyes , think of any fret and string ( or chord ), and try to play it literally by touch . We recommend that you first try to find the required fret and string , and after a certain amount of practice , try to play a chord and find the required place on the fretboard literally in a split second .

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