Micro Study 26 – Left Hand Basics 2 - Classical Guitar Rocks

Micro study 26 – left hand basics 2 is part of the – #6stringinspiration – series of short and sweet studies that target very specific ideas. These are for those who have very little time and want huge gains from tight focused practice ideas.

Micro Study 26 – Left Hand Basics 2

This is a left hand only exercise, which has three levels of difficulty.

The fingers are exercised in a specific series of combinations, beginning from the strongest finger combo to the weakest. Don’t linger on the combinations you can do (they are just being warmed up), work on the ones that are tough.

Finger Combinations:

1 2, 1 3, 1 4, 1 3, 2 4, 2 3, 3 4

Strong ——————————————————————->weak

There is an extra exercise on the end of the video which shows the Scott Tennant method: planting the other fingers down and then using the combo. Both are viable options.

KEY Strategy

Finger Control

Gaining finger independence is a slow process, but it is crucial to playing guitar-any style. Work on moving each finger at time down the fretboard slowly and mindfully. There are a couple of things to keep in mind when you do this, but foremost is make sure you are always, always in the sweet spot of the frets – inside right. That way you also train good tone, without playing a note.

In order for fingers 3 & 4 to move in this manner, there needs to be elbow rotational help. Watch the video to see how my elbow moves the wrist in order to facilitate this awkward finger movement.

Other Info

Note: This study uses the left hand only so that maximum concentration can be given to this exercise, which not only improves finger control but also has a bearing on tone production. Practice mindfully.

Secret

Push against the wall

There are 3 levels to this exercise, the string spacing basically increases, so take your time on the level that requires it. If you can’t reach all 6 strings, then work up to your level. That then becomes your wall, and you need to beginning pushing against it, and through it everyday: go onto the new level, do until you can’t, then drop back into the comfort zone-repeat! Eventually you will break through on to the new level.

And Remember: only move the fingers you need to.

Make sure you fingers are moving one combination at a time only. Keep the other fingers hovering above the string as you move. This is very clear on the video above.