When starting out with the instrument, every beginner wants to know how to play fast guitar. You can tell when the scales and songs that you're learning really don't challenge your skills.

Also, if you plan on auditioning as a lead guitarist for a band, they're going to want to see you play fast. Well, here are a few things to think about when learning to increase your guitar speed.

1. Have your string height adjusted.

The bridge on your guitar may need to be lowered if it's becoming quite a hassle to push the strings down to the frets. If you have your string bridge adjusted by a music store, you'll develop feather fingers that can move very quickly from one note to the next.

2. Experiment with different pick types.

There are hundreds of different guitar pick types that are unique and can contribute to play fast guitar. Take some time to experiment with picks of different thicknesses, shapes, and sizes.

3. Reconsider the guitar that you own.

Metal guitars are built for faster action on the fret board, and if you have something that's better suited for jazz songs, you might be fighting an up-hill battle. Go to your music store and see if there are any other guitars that improve your playing speed.

4. Try holding the guitar pick in different ways.

Holding the pick closer to the tip has been said to improve the abilities of professionals to play fast guitar. See if a few varied placements of your fingers change your talent at all.

5. Come up with your own set of scales and riffs to play during down time.

If you want to really get to a new level of speed with the guitar, having your own riffs and scales to practice is essential. Pick some riffs that are fun but challenging so that monotonous practice won't bore you to death.

6. You have to start slow and then increase your speed with time.

Starting your skills slow seems a little odd if you plan to play fast guitar. However, by starting at a slower tempo you can develop better rhythm and technique for the complicated riffs in the future.

7. Double-pick by strumming up and down on the strings.

Strumming individual strings by only hitting them downwards just isn't going to cut it anymore. Learn to hit the strings moving your pick down and then back up in order to maximize your speeds.

To play fast guitar you can't get down on your self after only a few short practices. When things seem to be hopeless, keep your head up and your goals in mind.