Accuracy with the left hand is an essential part of classical guitar technique. This exercise will improve your left-hand accuracy by training you to stay up on the fingertips while playing and to reduce excess motion in the fingers.
Download the accompanying exercise to play along:
CGC Left Hand Accuracy Exercise
Thanks, Dave. I’m on it!
-Jeff
Thanks Dave! I thought I would do well at this, but apparently I have still some work to do! It is a hand tiring exercise!
Thanks for the comment, Gino! Which part of the hand is tiring specifically? It shouldn’t require any excess tension in the hand unless the left hand fingers are simply not used to playing up on the fingertips and so needing to adjust to the new position. Try and use minimal pressure and stay right up against the fretwire. Reducing excess motion should actually produce less tension in the hand overall.
Peace,
Dave B (CGC team)
Tension was in the forearm I think. I did a few minutes everyday this week, and on the third time, there was no tension anymore. I thought I played right at the tip but was not quite exactly on the spot. When doing the Giuliani right hand exercises, the finger on the low B was touching the fourth string sometimes. This improved too! Great tip!
Hi Gino,
Glad to hear this is helping! The tension could simply be general soreness in the muscles from exercise (a lot of repetitive motion will make those muscles in particular sore), or it could be a sign of tension elsewhere in the arm and a sign that you should take a break. So be sure to listen to your body and if the soreness/tension shifts to pain, stop and take a break to let your arm recuperate.
Peace,
Dave B (CGC team)
Thanks Dave, this is a very timely lesson for me. I’ve been struggling with my left hand fingers touching the adjacent string. Now I know what I need to practice and that’s a big help. I plan to add this into my technical practice every day and monitor my improvement.
Glad to hear, Cindy! I hope this exercise works well for you.
Peace,
Dave B (CGC team)