| Your left hand determines the note and your right | | | | three-finger pattern using index, middle and ring |
| hand determines just about everything else from | | | | finger. And of course mix that pattern up by |
| tone, to timbre, volume, texture and all the | | | | starting with a finger other than your index. This |
| subtleties of the sound that comes from your | | | | will probably feel a little awkward at first but keep |
| classical guitar. Yet it is often overlooked when it | | | | at it. With a simple practice exercise like this your |
| comes to practice. If you want to really improve | | | | classical guitar playing will improve dramatically. |
| your classical guitar playing you need to start | | | | Free pdf written by a master |
| focusing on right hand technique. Here are some | | | | There is a series of studies called 120 right hand |
| tips and tricks on how to do it. | | | | exercises for classical guitar. Matteo Carcassi |
| Practice the types of strokes | | | | wrote these studies and they are in the free |
| A lot of beginner guitarists don't realize that there | | | | public domain. The exercises vary in difficulty so |
| are two different types of right hand strokes you | | | | are appropriate for beginners to advanced. You |
| can perform. The first stroke (and most | | | | can slowly work your way through them over |
| common) is the free stroke where the finger | | | | time. Using these studies is a great way to |
| doesn't contact anything after plucking the string. | | | | improve right hand play and also improve |
| The second type of stroke is the rest stroke | | | | sight-reading skills. |
| where the finger comes to rest on the next | | | | A Recommended Book |
| string down after plucking. Practice your scales | | | | If you are looking for more guidance on improving |
| and arpeggios using both types of strokes. | | | | your play I recommend you get a book by Scott |
| Walking across the strings | | | | Tennant called "Pumping Nylon". I own it and have |
| You can set up your own exercises that will | | | | made it a part of my regular practice sessions. It |
| dramatically improve your right hand play and I | | | | has a lot of practical exercises for both the right |
| recommend you do walking exercises at the | | | | and left hand. In 2006 a new version of this book |
| beginning of every practice session. | | | | aimed at beginners was published. There is also a |
| Walking exercises are simply exercises where you | | | | nice DVD version available if you are a visual style |
| play across all six strings in varying finger | | | | learner. |
| patterns. You can do this without stopping any of | | | | Because the left hand is closer to your eyes, and |
| the strings with your left hand (open) or you can | | | | because most people are right handed focusing on |
| do scales. | | | | improvement of the right hand is often |
| Heres how to do it: Simply pluck down then up | | | | overlooked. But if you really want to take your |
| the six strings alternating between your index and | | | | classical guitar playing to the next level you should |
| middle fingers. Easy enough right? You started out | | | | make a conscious effort to improve your right |
| with your index finger plucking the bass E string | | | | hand technique. Your speed of playing, clarity, and |
| right? Now change that up and start your plucking | | | | ability to express with the instrument will be |
| by using your middle finger on the bass E string! It | | | | greatly enhanced. |
| feels quite a bit different doesn't it? Now do a | | | | |