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Guitar Technique
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Common Misunderstandings in Left Hand Technique for Classical Guitarists by Kevin Gallagher www.guitar69.com
Part 1 Understanding the different LH positions
There are three basic left hand positions Left, Center, and Right and subtle variations of each. Each position is determined by the arm and wrist not the fingers. What the fingers can accomplish is fully dependant on the arm/wrist position. The advantages of each position and examples of them are discussed below.
A) Center positioning includes Segovia scales, chromatic scales, barre chords, and many "4 fret" passages, most LH exercises by Tarrega, Pujol, etc. Many guitar methods only explain the “centered” hand position.
1. Anonymous Bianco Fiore
2. Sagreras Lesson 82
B) Left Positioning contracts fingers together so there is less horizontal stretch. Very useful for many pieces in C major or A minor, and all chords or passages which need more than one finger to share a fret.
3. Sor Opus 60, no 13.
4. VillaLobos Prelude #3
C) Right positioning is used where reaching the bass with 4 or 3 is difficult, for example. Since the 4th finger is shorter than the others, many times the wrist will turn to the right to help 4 reach it’s notes.
5. Milan Pavan 6
Right positioning is also used for various "backwards fingerings" as shown in this example.
6. Brouwer Etude 8
Here’s an exercise to practice all three positions. Remember, you are turning wrist/arm to move the fingers. The change of wrist/arm position will help make the contraction/expansion of the fingers more comfortable. Turn the wrist gently, take breaks, and don’t strain yourself.
Thank you for listening. I wish you much success in your practice and understanding. Donations via Paypal are greatly appreciated through my Website at www.guitar69.com Check out my other videos on Youtube at https://www.youtube.com/user/classicalguitartv/videos and keep in touch with me on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/kevinrgallagher1969?fref=ts
