Free Online Classical Guitar Lessons from LAGA

Now it's time to start building a good foundation for your left-hand technique. This will start you off with good habits from the very beginning. This simple exercise will help your fingers navigate through the fingerboard with ease and proficiency.

Please note, the following video has no sound:

Before you begin this exercise, take a few moments to learn a little terminology that classical guitarists use to talk shop. Classical guitarists have a special notation for the fingers of each hand. The left-hand fingers are numbered, 1 for the index finger, 2 for the middle finger, 3 for the ring finger, and 4 for the pinky finger.

This exercise is called "Spider Walk," because you imitate the movements of a spider walking on the strands of her web, one leg at a time. When you get really good at it, your fingers will be as nimble as a spider's legs, moving each finger confidently, independently, and under your control! This is one of those exercises that you should practice often, even after you have become more proficient. Your fingers can't get too strong nor too independent!

Now, to get started, place your left hand fingers on the first string (the thinnest and bottom-most string)  of your guitar, each placed next to a fret, just above it, spread apart by a fret apiece. Bend your wrist slightly, allowing your fingers to curve naturally.  Next, move each finger, starting with 1, to the next string (you will be moving toward the thicker strings as you progress), only one finger at a time so that your fingers will develop independence. Keep your knuckles parallel to the fingerboard, and your fingertips as close as possible to being perpendicular, although it is natural for 1 and 4 to be less perpendicular.  Place your thumb in a natural position behind the fingerboard, as it serves as a guide and support for your whole hand. It should not, however, be used as the only balancing force for your fingers. Using gravity and leverage for balance can really reduce the tension in your left hand, giving you a more effective technique.

Make this exercise an important part of your practice routine every day, even if it is just for a few minutes a day.  It will really pay off later when you start to play real music! For a real challenge, your instructor has some tips in the video below that will really help you build your fingers' independence.

Next, let's move on to your right hand--and build a strong technical foundation for your plucking hand.