right hand lesson #2


After you're able to play the first exercise, you're ready to move on to this one. It still involves open strings, but includes some major additions. The dampening is basically the same: you usually dampen with the finger that will play the next note. The green instructions indicate major shifts involving fingers 1, 2 & 3 or Thumb, 1 & 2. The reset indicates to reset to the open position: Thumb 1,2 & 3 on successive strings.

notation image


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1. Again, Go Slow......... I mean really slow. MM = 30.....that's right, once every 2 seconds!.
In addition to helping with the independence between fingers, you learn to keep the string spacing under your fingers when you make the major shifts. Still keep relaxed in between notes.

3. Again, look at your right hand.
There's dozens of separate motor skill-finger movements involved in this exercise. Look at your right hand in order to get them all under control. Involutary motion left unchecked turns into excess baggage when you're trying to play efficiently in the future.

3. If you're comfortable with the seqence of notes and all your fingers are doing what they should, do not try to go faster. Stay at the same tempo and play short notes. Since you're usually stopping the note with the finger that's going to play next, you're preparing yourself to play fast. Staying at a slow tempo and playing short notes gives you plenty of time to relax in between notes. Teach yourself to relax and playing fast will always be easier.