The Guitar Speed/Accuracy Equation

Jazz guitar legend and teacher, Howard Roberts, gave one of my all-time favorite quotes when it comes to guitar technique:

“Speed is a by-product of Accuracy”.

If one rushes to play a lick, melody or song before learning how it physically should feel when played well, the parts will never sound fast or clean. Coordinate each finger and pick-stroke slowly and accurately before you concern yourself with playing it faster. This is one of the ‘universal constants’ of playing the guitar well!