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