Synchronizing the two hands is a very important part of technique and it is an essential component of playing legato — which is itself important for building speed. In this video, Dave Belcher walks you through a set of exercises to help get your hands in sync. Here is the sheet of exercises discussed in the video.
Is there a print out for this.
Oh my goodness I found it ! My apologies HBW
Glad you found it, Heidi! Best wishes.
Peace,
Dave B (CGC team)
there is no such thing of bad or good string crossing in guitar playing. It is a matter of practice become second nature.
Hi Law,
Thanks for the comment. While you are correct — and I do say in the video that learning “bad” string crossings is important to make them as natural as “good” string crossings — it is certainly more natural for the hand to perform some string crossings than others. “Good” and “bad” at this point are just descriptive categories. I do nonetheless agree with you that practicing the string crossings that come less naturally is important (just as much as practicing, say, m-a fingerings for scales is important even if i-m comes more naturally for us). However, I also believe that if a simple solution presents itself (such as utilizing more natural string crossings whenever possible) that simple solution is often the best one. Context of course always matters here. Thanks again and best wishes.
Peace,
Dave B (CGC team)
when doing scales, do i lift finger from note to next note? Currently I leave finger on previous note
Hi Pierre,
I replied to your email about this, but the short answer is that it depends! :) When descending in particular if you have built up good habits in the left hand so that fingers don’t lift too far away from the strings and you have a good left-hand position then we generally want to lift the fingers to train synchronization. Remember that the goal of synchronization should be a smooth legato connection between each note.
Peace,
Dave B (CGC team)
Thank you Dave for this lesson. Proper synchronization of the left and right hands has always been a challenge for me. On hindsight, I realize it may have something to do with a lack of patience on my part (an eager desire to bring out the notes right away), as well as a lack of mental focus in really “thinking” of the clear execution of the scales, given the right timing/beats. So, working on these two points I have just mentioned, along with these fine exercises you have just shared, should bring about a significant improvement!
You’re most welcome, Freddie! I hope you enjoy the exercises. Thanks for the nice comment and best wishes to you.
Peace,
Dave B (CGC team)
Can’t find the link to the printout. Help!
Hi James,
The link was under the word “Here” above, but I’ll post that here directly:
https://2ppbhz1c87pm2ec98a3avkad-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/CGC-Synchronization-Exercises-Full-Score.pdf
Peace,
Dave B (CGC team)
Thanks Dave. These old eyes didn’t see it. Any chance you could show the link word in a different color going forward?
James
This is superb teaching method.So much precise detail and clear explanation and demonstration.
As an older learner I spent years working in this kind of synchronisation and I just could not understand why it felt like a real struggle without any development of flexibility.I see now what the problem was! you said ” If youre only lifting you’re not training the fingers to be in sync”.
I think this has impaired my development significantly and could well have been a major contributor to my developing dreadful RSI in my forearms. The release element is absolutely vital and can be achieved by lifting and placing as you show.Thank you for this vital insight!
Thank you for the nice comment, Pete, and I’m glad you found the exercises and video helpful!
Peace,
Dave B (CGC team)