Left Hand Preparation on Classical Guitar
Left hand preparation on classical guitar can help you reach another level of playing. Find out why and how to develop this technique in this video.
How it helps you
Left hand preparation allows you to play more legato, which is key to playing in a singing way. It also allows you to play two lines of music at the same time so it sounds like two instruments playing together on one instrument.
Examples of Preparation
One of the hardest things to achieve on classical guitar is playing horizontally rather than vertically. Playing vertically is very beat-y, focused on chords and the first beat of each measure or figure. Horizontal playing, on the other hand, is much more singing and focuses on how the voice develops through time.
How you move from vertical to horizontal playing is all about how you transition between the notes. In other words, left hand preparation is central to playing horizontally. This allows you to focus on phrasing and creating more singing lines.
Left Hand Preparation Exercise
So we’ve created an exercise that will help you work on this technique. It’s a simple exercise, but it is challenging. We play octaves but we’re not thinking about what notes we just played. Instead, as soon as we play one set of notes we focus on what’s next and prepare our fingers early – before we play.
Thanks Simon,
This exercise looks like it will help develop left hand finger independence as well as preparation – not at all easy but so necessary. Back to work….
Bob
Indeed it will, Bob! Keep up the hard work!
Peace,
Dave B (CGC team)
Hi Simon,
I have Mauro Giuliani’s Studies for Guitar op 1a. The exercises for the LH are similar and I use them as part of a 15 min/15 min/15 min practise session (as you suggested in a previous podcast). Will these also work as LH preparation exercises?
David
Hi David,
Yes, there are a great number of exercises in Giuliani’s book (such as nos. 3 and 4 for left hand) that would be great work for left-hand preparation (and the chromatic octaves exercise Simon presents is similar to some of Giuliani’s own).
Peace,
Dave B (CGC team)
Thank you for such a great exercise, Simon! Can’t wait to put it into my daily practice!
Thanks, Kari! Hope you enjoy it!
Peace,
Dave B (CGC team)
hi Simon,
thanks, Very helpful video going to the next level
Trying to get rid of old habits of not preparing my left hand accurately
Hi Joannes,
Old habits can indeed be hard to break, but this exercise really will prove quite helpful with perseverance. Keep up the hard work!
Peace,
Dave B (CGC team)
Thanks, Simon. I like this so much I’ve added it to my daily practice.
-Jeff
Thanks, Jeff! Glad to hear!
Peace,
Dave B (CGC team)
Wow, what a workout…thank you Simon.
Very useful refresher and workout — thanks.
I think this is a fine example of elegant and efficient LH preparation, performed by the guy with the best hair in classical guitar:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=URp8l8DMtj8&list=RDURp8l8DMtj8
Adrian
Hi Adrian,
Haha! Yes, Zoran definitely is a candidate for best hair in classical guitar, haha (Judicael Perroy is up there too!). He also uses excellent LH preparation in his playing. An excellent musician in all regards.
Peace,
Dave B (CGC team)
This is really helpful. I happened to be working on Bourree and I have that exact problem. Thank you Simon!
This LH preparation exercise and video is helpful and appreciated ~ thank you!