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FretShuffle

Guitar warmup exercise

String-crossing pairs

Warm up accurate string changes with adjacent pairs, alternate picking and controlled string skips.

Choose a level

Exercise difficulty
Beginner variation

Adjacent-string pairs

How to play it

  1. Play fret 5 on the low E string, then fret 5 on the A string.
  2. Repeat the pair four times before moving to A and D, then D and G.
  3. Use one finger in the fretting hand so attention stays on the string change.
Read this pattern in words

Alternate fret 5 on low E and A four times, then repeat between A and D.

Focus points

  • A small path between strings
  • The same attack on both sides of the pair
  • A relaxed forearm

Common mistakes

  • Jumping over the target string
  • Allowing the second note of each pair to arrive late
Make it easier
Use open strings and stop after each pair.
Make it harder
Alternate down-up picking without resetting between pairs.

Put it into a routine

Continue with a balanced 10-minute beginner warmup, or browse the complete catalogue to choose another technique.

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