How To Do The Spider Walk On Guitar

Okay, let's talk about something near and dear to every guitarist's heart. Something a little creepy, a little crawly. Yep, you guessed it: the spider walk.

First, you put your fingers on the fretboard. Any fretboard will do. Electric, acoustic, even that tiny ukulele you bought on a whim.

Step 1: The Finger Dance

Now, imagine each finger is a little spider. A very coordinated, musically inclined spider. Each spider has a mission: to march up and down the strings.

Start with your index finger. Place it on a fret. Any fret! This isn't rocket science. Unless you're playing a rocket-shaped guitar. Then maybe it is rocket science.

Then, put your middle finger on the next fret. Followed by your ring finger. And finally, pinky! Congratulations, you've successfully deployed your spider army.

A Quick Aside: My Hot Take

Here's my unpopular opinion: you don't need perfect form right away. Seriously. Don't let guitar gurus intimidate you. Just have fun with it.

Okay, back to the spider walk. Now, move those fingers up a string. Keep the same finger order. Index, middle, ring, pinky. Like little soldiers marching in formation.

Repeat this process. Up and down the strings. It’s kind of like climbing a tiny, six-stringed mountain. Except instead of oxygen deprivation, you get awesome guitar skills.

Step 2: Adding the Rhythm (or Lack Thereof)

Now, here's where things get interesting. Try to add some rhythm. Or, you know, don't. It's your spider walk. You make the rules.

Pick each note as you go. Downstrokes, upstrokes, a chaotic mix of both. Who cares? Just make some noise! And try not to wake the neighbors.

You can even add a metronome. If you're feeling ambitious. Or just want to torture yourself. But honestly, the early stages are all about finger coordination.

More Unpopular Opinions

Another hot take: speed isn’t everything. I know, I know, blasphemy! But seriously, focus on accuracy first. Otherwise, you’re just playing fast sloppy notes. Like a caffeinated bumblebee buzzing around a microphone.

Step 3: Level Up Your Spider Skills

Ready to take your spider walk to the next level? Try different finger combinations. Index-ring, middle-pinky, even index-pinky if you're feeling adventurous.

Experiment with different string groupings. Maybe focus on the top three strings. Or the bottom three. Or randomly skip around like a drunken spider on a trampoline.

And finally, the ultimate challenge: try it blindfolded. Okay, maybe don't actually do that. I'm not responsible for any guitar-related injuries.

Ultimately, the spider walk is about developing finger independence and coordination. It's about making your fingers do what you want them to do. Instead of the other way around.

So grab your guitar. Unleash your inner spider. And get walking! You might just surprise yourself with what you can achieve. And even if you don't, you'll at least have some fun. Which, let's be honest, is the whole point anyway.

Remember, practice makes progress, not perfect. So be patient with yourself. And don’t be afraid to get a little weird. After all, isn't that what guitar playing is all about?

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go practice my own spider walk. And maybe invest in some earplugs for my neighbors.