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What are the names of the right hand fingers? • • • •
Thumb:....p Index:.......i Middle:....m Ring:........a
What is exactly a “Rest Stroke”? • • • • • •
Right hand technique used mainly to play scales or to bring up a particular note or set of notes It uses a combination of two fingers in alternation Combinations: i-m, i-a, m-a The name “Rest Stroke” derives from the movement of the fingers when playing a string, i.e., the finger plays a string and rests on the adjacent string. Since the string is pushed against the soundboard, the result is a powerful, thick sound. Another name for the “Rest Stroke” technique is the Spanish term “Apoyando”
Exercise 1: • •
Rest strokes using just open strings Combinations used: i-m, i-a, m-a
1st string “high e”
2nd string “b”
3rd string “g”
4th string “d”
5th string “a”
6th string “low e”
•
Try your best to imitate the position of the hand in the following picture
• • •
Play with the tip of the finger, right between the fingernail and the flesh Keep a straight wrist with a minimum arch Push the string towards the soundboard instead of pulling away from it
Do the left hand fingers have names like the right hand ones? •
Not exactly, we name them with numbers instead, in the following way:
How do I place my left hand fingers on the fretboard? • • • •
Try the “pencil” exercise as shown on the video and picture. Use the fingertip, right below the nail Curl the fingers to achieve a perpendicular angle without having to over-bend the wrist The left hand thumb (no number for it) counterbalances the other fingers and stays in between fingers 2 and 3
Exercise 2: Putting both hands together
• • •
Play four repetitions per note using rest strokes and alternating between i-m Although not shown in the video, practice the same exercise with the other combinations: i-a, and m-a (one combination at the time) The left hand fingers are placed right next to the fret
Thank you for watching!