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By: Peter Jones
In this short lesson, I am going to show you a great exercise
that will help to develop strength and co-ordination in the
fingers of your left hand. This particular workout was shown to
me many years ago by a guitar playing pal of mine. He predicted
that I would soon see great results if I made the exercise part
of my daily practise routine. Sure enough, after a few weeks I
noticed a definite improvement in the dexterity and independence
of my fretting fingers. I have shared this exercise with many
guitarists over the years, and all of them have found it to be a
really effective technique builder. I am sure you will too! Unfortunately, I am not afforded the luxury of diagrams in this
article, so I will try my best to explain it through the written
word. Let's give it a try! I want you to start off by placing your index finger on the
first fret of the first string. Ok, pick this string with your
right hand and then hammer down with your second finger onto the
2nd fret of the same string. As this note is sounding, hit the
third fret of the second string with your third finger. Now
hammer on to the fourth fret of the second string with your
fourth finger. Now we are going to pull off from the fourth
fret, second string to the first fret, second string, which will
be fretted by our first finger. Ok, let's stop here for a
second. We have completed the first part of the exercise. You
will notice that we have only used our right hand once. This was
to pick the very first note. After this note is picked, the
action of the left hand then creates a domino effect and sounds
all the other notes. As we move onto the next part of the
exercise, you will notice a definite pattern developing. Before
moving on, quickly go over this paragraph again! Right, where were we? Oh, I remember! If you have played it
correctly so far, then you will be sitting with your first
finger on the first fret of the second string. Because we have
pulled off from the fourth fret, the string should be sounding.
Ok, now hammer down onto the second fret of the second string
with your second finger. As this note sounds, hit the third fret
of the third string with your third finger. Now hammer down onto
the fourth fret of the third string with your fourth finger.
Finally, pull off from the fourth fret, third string to the
first fret, third string, which, as before, will be fretted by
your first finger. Do you see the pattern developing? What we
are going to do now is work our way down to the sixth string in
the same way as we have moved through the first three strings.
You should have enough information from here to be able to carry
on the exercise right the way down to the sixth string. Try it
now. Remember, it is exactly the same pattern throughout. If you have played it through correctly you should now be
sitting with your first finger on the first fret of the sixth
string. The next step is to move back up the strings until we
reach the first string again. So, basically we are going to
repeat the whole exercise in reverse. I'll talk you through the
first bit. With your first finger sounding the note on the first fret of
the sixth string, hammer down onto the second fret of the sixth
string with your second finger. As this note sounds, hit the
third fret of the fifth string with your third finger. Now
hammer down onto the fourth fret of the fifth string with your
fourth finger. Ok, now pull off from the fourth fret to the
first fret, where, as before, your first finger will be waiting.
Ok, carry this one on until you end up back at the first string.
Once you get to the first string......play it all again! Remember, as with any exercise, the objective is to play cleanly
and precisely. Speed will come in time. Hope you enjoyed
learning this exercise and I hope you get a lot from it. As
always, work hard and feel yourself improve! About the author:
Peter Jones is the Managing Director of Jack Sky Ltd. based in
the great city of Liverpool, Jack Sky is committed to providing
1st class guitar tutorials to all of its customers. A warm
welcome awaits you at www.jack-sky.com
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