Guided Practice Routine - Shred Picking by Sam Bell

Take your picking chops to a new level with "Guided Practice Routine – Shred Picking" by Sam Bell, an intensive and structured guitar workout designed to turbocharge your picking technique. This course is a must-have for any guitarist looking to increase their speed, accuracy, and control. Sam Bell walks you through an expertly crafted routine that targets key technical areas of shred guitar, breaking each section down into digestible, focused practice modules.

Whether you're struggling to maintain control at higher tempos or just want to refine your shred vocabulary, this lesson will push your picking game into high gear. With real-time guidance, engaging play-alongs, and challenging sequences, this practice routine is your roadmap to fretboard fluency and blazing speed.

Single String Patterns with Speed Bursts

The course kicks off with a deep dive into single string exercises that are designed to develop your ability to pick fast and evenly across isolated string runs. These drills help build essential muscle memory and coordination in the picking hand, while forcing the fretting hand to stay tight and articulate.

Speed bursts – rapid flurries of notes – are used to help you develop explosive speed in short, controlled bursts. This method of training is especially effective for gaining speed without sacrificing clarity. By alternating between controlled note groupings and sudden bursts of speed, you're conditioning your hands to remain relaxed and precise under pressure.

Double String Exercises

Sam then moves on to double string picking drills, which incorporate string crossing into your speed-building practice. These exercises enhance string-tracking ability, ensuring your picking hand moves fluidly between adjacent strings without stumbling or hesitating.

Working on two strings at a time allows for a focused approach to alternate picking and helps you master one of the trickiest aspects of shred guitar – transitioning cleanly between strings at high speed. This section builds a rock-solid foundation for future sweep, economy, and hybrid picking techniques.

Six String Picking Exercises

Next up are comprehensive six string exercises, where everything comes together. These patterns are built across all six strings, testing your stamina, accuracy, and right-hand synchronisation.

This section simulates the demands of real-world soloing and riffs, where multiple strings are involved in complex picking sequences. By tackling full-range picking lines, you’ll build not just speed, but consistency and control over extended phrases, preparing you for advanced lead work and live performance.

Alternate Picking Arpeggio Sequences

In one of the most musical parts of the routine, Sam guides you through alternate picking arpeggio sequences. These are designed to blend speed with musicality, challenging you to maintain control and tone while navigating rapid-fire arpeggios across multiple strings and positions.

Unlike sweep picking, alternate picking arpeggios focus on evenness and note articulation, forcing you to pick every note while preserving the shape and feel of traditional arpeggios. It's a challenging but rewarding workout that massively improves your precision and fretboard knowledge.

Performance & Play-Along

The final section of the course allows you to bring all your hard work together with full performance examples and play-along backing tracks. These allow you to apply the exercises in a musical context, boosting your confidence and integrating everything into your real-world playing.

Sam plays through each section at multiple tempos, offering commentary and tips for staying relaxed, consistent, and in control. The play-alongs are designed to push you, giving you a taste of what it's like to perform high-level shred material in real time.

Why These Techniques Matter

Mastering the exercises in this guided practice routine will give you a stronger command of your picking mechanics, unlock faster playing, and help you develop a cleaner, more articulate sound. Whether you’re aiming to tackle advanced solos, improve your rhythm playing, or just increase your technical vocabulary, these techniques will elevate your entire approach to guitar playing.

Techniques Featured in This Lesson

• Alternate Picking
• Arpeggios
• Palm Muting

If you're ready to supercharge your picking skills, tighten up your technique, and sound more confident as a lead guitarist, “Guided Practice Routine – Shred Picking” by Sam Bell is your perfect practice partner. Dive in and start shredding!