| A long time student of mine recently told me he had | | | | work as achieving an equal balance of both strings, |
| canceled his subscription of a popular guitar magazine; I | | | | we don't want one string to dominant. |
| was curious to know why. As it turns out the final | | | | (c) It's time to flip our fingers over again, this time |
| straw was when the magazine started including a | | | | widening the gap by skipping the second string. |
| short video with the magazine titled "betcha can't play | | | | Second finger behind second fret, first string and third |
| this!" | | | | finger behind the third fret, third string. |
| Apparently the monthly video features some | | | | (d) Flip the shape over again and we have ... second |
| impossible guitar lick played as fast as possible ... | | | | finger, third string, second fret and third finger, first |
| predictably no beginner guitarist can play the lick. | | | | string, third fret. |
| Unfortunately this is an all too familiar tale; heaps of | | | | Our next project is to use the same shape only |
| 'showing off' without any educational content only | | | | skipping over two strings, like this ... |
| contributes to the frustration of the new guitarist. | | | | (e) Second finger, second fret on the first string with |
| Which brings me to one of the most significant | | | | the third finger behind the third fret fourth string. |
| problems encountered by the beginner guitarist ... how | | | | (f) Back to our old trick of flipping the shape around |
| to develop strength and co-ordination in your left hand. | | | | and we have ... |
| Here's a batch of really simple and incredibly effective | | | | Second finger behind the second fret on the fourth |
| exercises designed specifically to help overcome this | | | | string with the third finger behind the first string, third |
| problem; I know these will help! | | | | fret. |
| Left hand 2nd and 3rd finger exercises: | | | | The idea is to continue this process until you can |
| (a) Start with your left hand second finger behind the | | | | stretch across to the sixth string. Practice this exercise |
| first string second fret; whilst your third finger is behind | | | | slowly and deliberately and you will notice a new |
| the second string third fret. | | | | confidence and control of your 2nd and 3rd left hand |
| Make sure that both fingers come down on the strings | | | | fingers. |
| with a single movement, just like a rubber stamp. | | | | For best results try this exercise two or three times a |
| (b) Now change strings: your second finger is now | | | | week leaving a day of two in between for your |
| behind the second fret, second string and your third | | | | muscles to recover and re-build. |
| finger is behind the third fret, first string. | | | | I invite you to use these tips and tools when you play |
| Use your right hand fingers for this exercise not a pick; | | | | the guitar. |