Strength and Independence, Part 2

Playing guitar well involves building strength and independence in both hands.

The previous post suggested a left hand pattern to work on, now it's time to get the right hand moving as well. Once you can do the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th fret exercise, you can start to build technique with your right hand as well.


Alternate picking and timing exercises.

Play the left hand exercises as before, but now play two of each note using alternate picking. Pick down on the first note and up on the second. While doing that, count 1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and. You should tap your foot and it should follow the same pattern as your picking hand, down on the number and up on and. Practice slowly, with a metronome, and once you're able to play the exercise flawlessly, add a few beats per minute. Beginning guitar players need to be patient, not rush, and build muscle memory.


A new exercise for the fretting hand.

Still using the position playing concept of one finger per fret, now play 2nd fret, 2nd finger, 3rd fret, 3rd finger, 4th fret, 4th finger and 1st fret, 1st finger. Go slow until your fingers land on the right frets, then add the metronome and the down and up picking.

Commit yourself to doing these exercises when you start your daily practice and you'll be surprised at how much easier it gets.

What is Position Playing?

Position playing for beginning guitar players.

Position playing means using one finger per fret. So if you're playing in the 5th position, your 1st finger plays the 5th fret, your 2nd finger plays the 6th fret, your 3rd finger plays the 7th fret and the 4th finger plays the 8th fret. Position playing is extremely useful when soloing so you don't have to do too much extra moving back and forth. Most guitar teachers teach positions using scale patterns which will help you figure out which position to use.

Exceptions to the rule.

There are times when it will be necessary to go out of position by 1 fret in either direction. Some of the scale patterns need to be altered so that you're still in the basic position.

How fingering relates to scales and chords.

Every chord has a corresponding scale, so when you become more advanced you'll be able to visualize the scale that goes with that particular chord. Once you become more familiar with the guitar fretboard you'll be amazed at how logical it is.

The takeaway from all of this is to be patient, play slowly so that you develop muscle memory, and get in the habit of using one finger per fret. One of the most important things my guitar teacher did was to not let me get away with using the wrong fingers!

Building Left Hand Strength and Independence

In order to play for a considerable length of time, your left hand needs to be strong.

Here are a few left hand exercises to help you gain strength and independence in your left hand:

1. Hold down the 1st string, (the skinny one closest to your leg) at the 1st fret and then pick the string.
2. Without taking the 1st finger off of the 1st fret, play the 4th fret with your 4th (pinky) finger. Don't avoid using the pinky, yes it's weak, and yes many people work around it. If you're going to play barre chords and complicated solos, you'll be glad you took the time to strengthen it.
3. Without taking the 1st finger off the 1st fret, play the 3rd fret with your 3rd finger.
4. Without taking the 1st finger off the 1st fret, play the 4th fret with your 4th finger.
5. 1st finger, first fret.
6. Without taking the 1st finger off the 1st fret, play the 4th fret with your 4th finger.
7. Without taking the 1st finger off the 1st fret, play the 2nd fret with your 2nd finger.
8. Without taking the 1st finger off the 1st fret, play the 4th fret with your 4th finger.t

The left hand fingering should be 1, 4, 3, 4, 1, 4, 2, 4. Leaving the 1st finger down through the whole exercise is what makes the strengthening and independence take place. In addition, this exercise promotes the idea of position playing, which is using one finger per fret in a section of the guitar fingerboard.

Do this exercise 2 or 3 times on each string every time you practice, and you'll notice results in a short time. It will make it easier to reach notes and hold them down without buzzing.