I played for too long with my fingers far off the fretboard so that I find it highly difficult now to get used to a different way. Better to start with small movements right away.
I can also recommend guitar pro (older versions will do as well), where they have a built-in speed trainer, bumping up the BPM by an amount you choose at an interval you set.
Good tips!
yes guitar pro is always a better option. I would suggest everyone to start with the basic major scales and build up speed with those all over the fretboard.