Interesting Fingering - Part 1
I have always asked you to use particular fingers to play particular notes. This is great when you start learning to read because you can find notes easily without getting lost. However, we must now start looking at how to get the best sound out of the guitar. Three factors make a great sound:
- Tone - this is mainly to do with how you strike the string with your right hand, although it is important to make sure you are fretting (holding down) your strings correctly with your left hand.
- Volume - you expect the classical guitar to be quiet. You do have to listen carefully, even at professional recitals. However, we do need the power in the right hand to project. Much of this is to do with technique and remembering to play out, even when practising in a small room.
- Smooth Phrasing - this is called playing legato. Your notes should not have silence between them, but should sound connected. Legato playing will be the feature of this artical.
Legato Playing Across Different Strings - Avoid using the same finger twice in a row.
You need to master a number of skills to make your playing sound smooth. We are just going to look at one of them.
If you play a D (3rd fret, 2nd string), you use your 4th finger. If your next note is a G (3rd fret, 1st string), you would also expect to use your 4th finger. However, there will be a moment of silence when you lift your finger off the D and place it on the G. We solve this problem by thinking ahead and using the 3rd finger for D. There is no need to lift this finger whilst preparing to play the G. In fact, you may leave the D ringing under the G if it suits the music.
We can also use a similar technique with C (1st fret, 2nd string) and F (1st fret, 1st string). Use your 1st finger for the C and bring your 2nd finger underneath to play the F. As always, it is important to make your fingers do the work and do not move your hand out of position.
Try the exercises on the worksheet below. Once you have worked through the exercises, you can work through your existing pieces again, taking care not to use the same finger twice in a row. An example that springs to mind is the change from D to G in the 8th bar of Jingle Bells. Look at the music again and play this using fingers 3 and 4.
Suggested Reading
Enjoy Playing The Guitar Book 1
- Page 10, Jingle Bells
Solo Guitar Playing, Book 1
- Exercise 27
- Exercise 28
- Exercise 30
- Exercise 38
