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Posted by: AdamB May 30 2009, 12:51 PM

Yo,

I've been working on my legato techniques, and I've found that I can do pull offs from fingers 4-3-1 easily on one string but when I have to switch strings, e.g. to play

----9-8-6------------
-------------9-8-6---

this is very difficult, especially from the G string to the D string. Would you use your pick when starting the next string or just hammer with the pinky?

How do I improve this? I've tried just repeating the pattern slowly over and over but even at slow speeds it's really hard to make it clean, so it doesn't feel like it's improving at all.

-Adam

Posted by: Muris Varajic May 30 2009, 02:37 PM

Hello Adam and thanks for very interesting question!

Sometimes I just hammer with my pinky on another string
when I want to get that fully legato sound without sound of the pick.
But sometimes I also play that note with the pick as well,
that pretty much depends of situation and the sound I wanna achieve.
So if you are new to legato I would suggest you to play every
first note on each string with the pick, latter on you can apply only hammer-on
when your fretting hand gain more strength.
But there is another kind of important thing
about this 4-3-1 pattern in legato that I would like you to know.
The fact is, many players use 3-2-1 instead of 4-3-1 when playing legato
withing whole and semi tone shape.
And there are few reasons for that imo.
First, pinky and ring finger have a special connection
and sometimes it's very hard and tough to get them working as a team.
Secondly, ring finger IS stringer than pinky and you can be more accurate
when performing hammer-on with it instead of pinky.
There might be few more reasons but these 2 shall give you nice picture I hope.
And lets say that you have to move your thumb up and down the neck a little
to get best stand and grip when playing legato over all 6 strings.

Those are some things that you might take into consideration
but practice is a must, practice as much as you can.
you hand WILL gain extra strength and you WILL be able to
switch between strings more easily.

Let me know if you need any more help or an extra advice.

Posted by: Azzaboi May 30 2009, 08:21 PM

These patterns are mostly to help get your fingers 'un-glued' from each other and develop speed mechanics for the lead guitar playing.

This is what I've been told...

The idea is to have your fingers all ready to go on the next note(s). Pick only the first note, then pull off your finger and slightly down wards to ring out the next loudly.

Each motion should be isolated, analyzed and practiced separately if problems. Play slowly enough not to make any mistakes. Be clean and precise, then build up your speed slowly. Be relaxed and don't press harder than needed with the fingers (if your fingers are hurting after a while, check your grip).

Don't spend too long on just the one exercise, do others and come back to it, you will find it easiler. If it becomes painful, stop.

Position with the thumb behind the neck between the index and middle fingers for greater reach, rather than over top which is greater used for bending, etc.

Distance equals time - The further you move the finger, the longer and slower you will be. These exercise are designed to also work on speed. Eliminate one finger flipping up too much when you hammer or pull another finger. It is too late to correct if it has already happen. You must retry and stop it before it happens. If you cannot comfortably keep your fingers hovering in there unfretted positions, you are using too much pressure. This will slow you down.

Practice lifting the previous finger when the next comes down. This will develop smoother flow in the left hand. Anchoring one finger is also common, you want to be able to play it both ways.

Make sure all fingers are landing just behind it's corresponding metal fret bar and not just anywhere on that fret. Play with your fingertips. You can still lay your finger at enough angle to mute other strings gently if needed.

Practice...

1-2-3-4 up every string on the fretboard (E-A-D-G-B-E) then come down 5-4-3-2, then back up 3-4-5-6, etc - across the fretboard.

Repeating the same pattern with...

1-2-4 and 4-2-1

1-3-4 and 4-3-1

1-3 2-4 and 4-2 3-1

1-4-3-2 and 4-1-2-3

Remember to make sure your fingers aren't sticking to each other while playing. By playing across the fretboard, your fingers will have to adjust to the distance of frets, creating more control. Also try finger stretch exercises the same.

Posted by: kahall May 30 2009, 09:31 PM

Lots of good things to try out from both of your answers.

Posted by: AdamB Jun 2 2009, 09:45 AM

OK cool.

I tried using 3-2-1 instead, but it feels more awkward to me. Using the pinky, it doesn't sound good but my hand feels like it's moving more fluidly. If it is possible to do the pattern with the pinky, I think I'll just keep going trying to make it stronger, if you think eventually I would be able to do it?

-Adam

Posted by: Muris Varajic Jun 2 2009, 10:13 AM

QUOTE (AdamB @ Jun 2 2009, 10:45 AM)

Posted by: Azzaboi Jun 2 2009, 08:46 PM

Your pinkie is the weakest finger and probably will need most work.
Also if you are like me, getting the fingers 'unglued' from each other.
Just take it slowly and make sure it's clean sounding and not muting the other strings (unless you want it to)