Proper Technique

Here are some techniques to improve finger speed and dexterity.

Here is a real basic finger exercise. Be sure play every note clean and in even time. The purpose is to strengthen your fingers and you'll have to start slowly to do that. Practice until you can play it well. Play this all the way up and down the neck.

Hold your pick firmly with your thumb and index finger.

Pick with your hand with an even up and down stroke.

Starting with the index, make sure you use all four fingers. One finger per fret. And, avoid fret buzz.

This is the same pattern starting on the 5th fret, also called 5th position.
Using 8th notes, this is 2x faster but do it very slowly at first.

Practice the left and right hand movement slowly and evenly until you can play the exercise with ease.

Just remember, Practice Practice Practice!