Legato Part One
In the previous legato exercise we saw how using hammer-ons and crazy finger stretches will strengthen the muscles of the hand, and now here are more exercises that will develop more on that legato technique.
This next exercise looks huge, but it's really simpler than it looks once you see the pattern. What is happening is we are trilling (rapidly hammering on and then pulling off between two notes at a time) between each combination of fingers (starting with 1st and 2nd, then 1st and 3rd, 1st and 4th etc...). This should improve your hammering on and pulling off using all fingers.
You can start this exercise on any fret (just look at the tab here to get an idea of the pattern), I like to do it at the 5th fret (5th position) because the frets there are not too close or too far apart. Eventually you should be able to do it on all frets.
I would usually tell you at this point to start slowly and gradually increase speed, and while that is still true, be aware that if you try and play this exercise too slow it's actually more difficult. Start at a speed where you're not having to struggle to get to, but it doesn't feel overly slow, then aim to speed it up, then slow it right down. At slower speeds your fingers will need to be stronger to make each note last until you play the next one.
On the subject of finger strength, this exercise is also good because it can be used for endurance. Play each combination of fingers for as long as you can and it really starts to get tough!
Here's the warning I gave last time, which can never be overstated:
DO NOT MOVE YOUR PALM SIDEWAYS!
Moving your palm so that your little finger is further away from the fretboard will only make things harder for you. So many people do it, and all it acheives is that your hand gets into an awkward position for reaching the notes, your wrist becomes tense and twisted, and your third and forth fingers struggle to reach the notes! Your hand should stay in the position I described, with each finger about the same distance from the frets, and each note you hammer on should be produced by just a finger movement.
This technique is, unfortunately, almost impossible at first. However, if you give it time and patience, its one of the best ways there is at increasing the strength and dexterity of your fingers. If that doesnt sound great enough, you should read my article on hand mechanics about my guitar technique and why finger strength is so important in playing the guitar.
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