Master Combinations That Unlock The Box.
The Ancient Greek meaning of the word "technique" relates to Artistry and Craftsmanship.
Today however, technique is generally considered to be your skill and ability to play
what you hear! The development of strength, endurance and speed in both hands and their
combinations is the topic of this lesson. Let's start by defining the word "Box" before
we begin the exercises.
Playing "inside the box" is Guitar slang for "Position". On the guitar a position is a vertical grouping of 4 frets and 6 strings, using one finger per fret. The fret of the 1st finger gives the position its number name. For example, 5th position means that the 1st finger of the fretting hand (left or right) plays the 5th fret of any string, the 2nd finger plays the 6th fret, the 3rd finger 7th fret and 4th finger 8th fret. See figure 1.
These 4 fingers may be played with the "picking" hand (right or left) using either a DOWN (
)
or UP (
) stroke.
And when these 4 fingers and 2 strokes are combined, MANY variations can be created!
Let's begin with "2 finger combinations", see figure 2.
Now let's play figure 2 using the "2 stroke combinations" in figure 3.
Next, the "3 finger combinations", see figure 4.
Apply to figure 4 the "3 stroke combinations" in figure 5.
And finally, the "4 finger combinations", see figure 6.
Played with the "4 stroke combinations", in figure 7.
Begin each combination slowly and gradually increase the tempo with each repetition. Play with precision and clarity - keeping both hands "in-sync". Be sure to play these combinations on every string "inside the box" and next time we'll do some playing "outside the box".
Did someone say - Fretboard Flashcards?
Till then, have fun...
Return to Proficient Lessons
Playing "inside the box" is Guitar slang for "Position". On the guitar a position is a vertical grouping of 4 frets and 6 strings, using one finger per fret. The fret of the 1st finger gives the position its number name. For example, 5th position means that the 1st finger of the fretting hand (left or right) plays the 5th fret of any string, the 2nd finger plays the 6th fret, the 3rd finger 7th fret and 4th finger 8th fret. See figure 1.
These 4 fingers may be played with the "picking" hand (right or left) using either a DOWN (
)
or UP () stroke.
And when these 4 fingers and 2 strokes are combined, MANY variations can be created!
Let's begin with "2 finger combinations", see figure 2.
Now let's play figure 2 using the "2 stroke combinations" in figure 3.
Next, the "3 finger combinations", see figure 4.
Apply to figure 4 the "3 stroke combinations" in figure 5.
And finally, the "4 finger combinations", see figure 6.
Played with the "4 stroke combinations", in figure 7.
Begin each combination slowly and gradually increase the tempo with each repetition. Play with precision and clarity - keeping both hands "in-sync". Be sure to play these combinations on every string "inside the box" and next time we'll do some playing "outside the box".
Did someone say - Fretboard Flashcards?
Till then, have fun...