Micro Study 4 – Legato part 2 – Pull-offs

Micro study 4 – Legato part 1 – kicks off a new series – #6stringinspiration – of short and sweet studies that target very specific musical bars or techniques. These are for those who have very little time and want huge gains from tight focused practice ideas.

Micro Study 4 – Pull-offs

This is a very short work out for the left hand legato action.

KEY Strategy

Repetitions which decrease

It is based on a cycle of repetitions, exactly like weight lifters do, beginning long and then cycling down into shorter bursts. This maintains a workout and increases stamina. For the fingers it activates the fast twitch muscles as you go from 4, to 2, to 1 rep per finger combination. Use a metronome which speeds up incrementally to really work those fibers.

Other Info

Note: This study is limited to one nylon string but should be practiced on a steel string as well. They are different and require different attack, energy and feel to become 2nd nature. So do not sit there and day dream – focus on this for very short bursts, concentrating on the feeling in your fingers, muscles and body. And watch the timing of the notes, rhythm is easily led astray here.

Be aware of both hands

Secret

Pluck down

These are technically pluck downs, your LH fingers pluck the string down – and thus produce a loud sound. (Pulling off a string does not!) It should come to rest on the next string. This should be a finger only movement, minimal wrist action involved.