First Exercises, Pt. IV - Traversing the Fretboard Continued...

This month I’ll continue discussing the exercise “Traversing the Fretboard” as most students create a staccato sound when switching strings, but in general a legato sound is desired. Having students understand the difference aurally is a simple matter – play the exercise both ways so the student can hear the difference. The teacher may have to do this several times, but students can recognize the difference. However, having them physically create a legato sound when switching strings is another matter.

 

                                       Video – Exercise Played Staccato

 

                                       Video – Exercise Played Legato

In this exercise each finger remains down after it has played, but to create a legato sound from string to string follow these directions:

 

• Lift the 1st finger after the 4th has played (and remains down) 
• The 1st finger will be placed on the next string (4th finger remains down)
• As the 1st finger is played simultaneously lift the 4th finger

  

The objective is to pluck the 1st finger and lift the 4th finger simultaneously so that the sounds “bleed” together, but do not sound together as if playing a chord. Allowing one note to “bleed” into the next will result in a legato (smooth/connected sound). This same technique will then be repeated on each successive string until the exercise is completed.

 

You may notice in the videos that some fingers are lifting in preparation to be placed on following string. This is another technique called “Advanced Preparation” which will be discussed more at a later time.