Certain excerises and tips to help you become a proficient guitarist in no time! The purpose of this exercise is to stretch out your hand, build the calluses on the tips of your fingers, and build up your finger strength.
For this first exercise, what you will do is simply pluck each fret starting in first position, then second, third, fourth, and fifth ascending and descending. As you are doing so, be sure to keep your index finger down as you ascend to ensure that your hand begins to stretch out. While doing this exercise be sure that you are alternate picking (using an "up/down" motion when picking the strings).
1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 4 3 2 1 4 3 2 1 4 3 2 1 4 3 2 1 4 3 2 1 4 3 2 1
e|-----------------------------------------1-2-3-4-4-3-2-1-----------------------------------------|
B|---------------------------------1-2-3-4-----------------4-3-2-1---------------------------------|
G|-------------------------1-2-3-4---------------------------------4-3-2-1-------------------------|
D|-----------------1-2-3-4-------------------------------------------------4-3-2-1-----------------|
A|---------1-2-3-4-----------------------------------------------------------------4-3-2-1---------|
E|-1-2-3-4---------------------------------------------------------------------------------4-3-2-1-|
Now do the same pattern and fingering beginning at the second fret, then third, fourth and fifth. The second exercise we have here is to aid in moving up and down the fretboard with increased accuracy. Notice the different pattern on the string, this means you will have to raise your ring finger to play the second fret notes. Again, alternate pick.
1 3 2 4 1 3 2 4 1 3 2 4 1 3 2 4 1 3 2 4 1 3 2 4 1 3 2 4 1 3 2 4 4 2 3 1 4 2 3 1 4 2 3 1 4 2 3 1 4 2 3 1 4 2 3 1 4 2 3 1 4 2 3 1
e|---------------------------------------------------------1-3-2-4-4-2-3-1----------------------------------------------------------|
B|-----------------------------------------1-3-2-4---------------------------------4-2-3-1------------------------------------------|
G|-------------------------1-3-2-4-----------------1-3-2-4-----------------4-2-3-1-----------------4-2-3-1--------------------------|
D|---------1-3-2-4-----------------1-3-2-4-------------------------------------------------4-2-3-1-----------------4-2-3-1----------|
A|-----------------1-3-2-4---------------------------------------------------------------------------------4-2-3-1------------------|
E|-1-3-2-4-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------4-2-3-1--|
Once again, do the same pattern and fingering beginning at the second fret, then third, fourth and fifth. This third exercise will work on the dexterity and agility moving along the neck of the guitar. Beginning at the first fret work your way one full octave (12 frets) up the neck using alternate picking.
1 2 4 1 2 4 1 2 4 1 2 4 1 2 4 1 2 4 1 2 4 1 2 4 1 2 4 1 2 4 1 2 4 1 2 4 1 2 4 1 2 4 1 2 4 1 2 4 1 2 4 1 2 4 1 2 4 1 2 4 1 2 4 1 2 4 1 2 4 1 2 4 1 2 4 1 2 4
e|-------1-2-4-------2-3-5-------3-4-6-------4-5-7-------5-6-8-------6-7-9--------7-8-10--------8-9-11---------9-10-12----------10-11-13----------11-12-14----------12-13-15----------13-14-16---|
B|-1-2-4-------2-3-5-------3-4-6-------4-5-7-------5-6-8-------6-7-9-------7-8-10--------8-9-11--------9-10-12---------10-11-13----------11-12-14----------12-13-15----------13-14-16------------|
G|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
D|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
A|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
E|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
And descending:
4 2 1 4 2 1 4 2 1 4 2 1 4 2 1 4 2 1 4 2 1 4 2 1 4 2 1 4 2 1 4 2 1 4 2 1 4 2 1 4 2 1 4 2 1 4 2 1 4 2 1 4 2 1 4 2 1 4 2 1 4 2 1 4 2 1 4 2 1 4 2 1 4 2 1 4 2 1
e|--16-14-13----------15-13-12----------14-12-11----------13-11-10----------12-10-9---------11-9-8--------10-8-7--------9-7-6-------8-6-5---------7-5-4-------6-4-3-------5-3-2-------4-2-1----------|
B|-----------16-14-13----------15-13-12----------14-12-11----------13-11-10---------12-10-9--------11-9-8--------10-8-7-------9-7-6-------8-6-5---------7-5-4-------6-4-3-------5-3-2-------4-2-1----|
G|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
D|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
A|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
E|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
These are some good exercises to get your fingers ready to rule the neck of the guitar.