Week 1: Left-Hand Mastery with Arturo
Elevate Your Technique with Two Expert-Led Weeks
Week 1: Left-Hand Mastery with Arturo
Discover the keys to left-hand relaxation and efficiency. Arturo will guide you through:
- Understanding hand anatomy and mastering optimal movement.
- The foundational concept of position "zero."
- Tackling technical challenges in notorious "uncomfortable" passages with practical solutions.
- Daily exercises designed to enhance left-hand awareness and precision.
Week 2: Right-Hand Excellence with Ema
Transform your right-hand technique with Ema's expert guidance. You’ll focus on:
- Building finger independence and fluidity for effortless right-hand movement.
- Practicing Giuliani’s arpeggio studies to improve control and precision.
- Integrating essential preparation techniques into your practice for lasting progress.
This is your opportunity to refine your playing with focused, actionable insights from top-tier instructors!
Course Period: January 20th - January 31st - No Signup needed!
Take Your Playing to the Next Level with Personalized 90-Day Coaching
If you’re ready to truly elevate your skills, consider taking the next step with tonebase Coaching. Participants in our coaching program get the chance to work one-on-one with Arturo or Ema over a transformative 90-day period, diving deeper into their technique and artistry. Don’t miss this opportunity to accelerate your progress!
Assignments
Exercises:
1. Observe how does it feel to have a relaxed hand.
2. Apply this using the position zero principle while changing between two chords.
3. Choose any excerpt of a piece you are working right now (1 or 2 bars) and try to analyze where is the structural pattern and where would it be suitable to relax.
Let me know how it goes!
Exercise for "purposeful relaxation":
1. Read the above pictured segment of the first four chords of Quadrivial Quandary by Andrew York.
2. Practice it first in steps by (1) relaxing then (2) shifting to the next chord.
3. Apply a relaxation that drives your fingers into the next chord.
Let me know how it goes :)
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Hello Arturo. I've been using this technique since your last TWI. It's incredibly useful and I've already seen the benefits of less left hand tension - thank you
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Ron Thanks Arturo. When I participated in your last TWI I used the arpeggio section of Villa-Lobos prelude no. 4. What I've found challenging is going from very slow, relaxed practice, first playing as chords then as arpeggios, to a reasonable performance tempo. I would love to know what approach you suggest to achieving this
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Hi Ron , I am so glad it has helped you. Do you have any difficult passages you are practicing that you would like that we work together?
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Arturo Castro Nogueras Thanks Arturo. When I participated in your last TWI I used the arpeggio section of Villa-Lobos prelude no. 4. What I've found challenging is going from very slow, relaxed practice, first playing as chords then as arpeggios, to a reasonable performance tempo. I would love to know what approach you suggest to achieving this
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Hi Arturo, thank you for your video, will give this a try. I have had an issue with the transition in the following piece if you would like to use it as an example thank you: It has left me with some left hand thumb stress.
Andantino
From Méthode complète pour Guitare, Op.59 by Matteo Carcassi
Bars 13 to 14
Cheers
PaulW
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Paul Thanks for your message. Let's work on it together. Can you post a picture of the Andantino in question, or tell me the key so I can find it? There are several of them.
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Arturo Castro Nogueras Hi Arturo, I've replied to the email with more details. A minor to A major. Cheers
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Paul I can't find it. would mind posting a photo of said section? Also, which email?
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Arturo Castro Nogueras
Gidday Arturo . Below is the full name and attached is a section of the piece including bars 13 and 14. Tricky fingering holding e on 4th string, 2nd finger and using 3rd and 4th fingers to then play d and B, 16th notes at tempo-
.Andantino in A Minor, Op.59 by Matteo Carcassi
Classical Era, Key Change from A minor to A major.Cheers
Paul
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Hello Arturo. Here is a small excerpt from a piece I am working on that might work to illustrate what you are teaching. Note that I am playing a different fingering for the first chord.
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Eric Phillips
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Very interesting. I do find it beneficial because I am developing Duputren's Contracture on my left hand. which does bother me while I am playing, but when I take a break I notice the stiffness even more. I then have to do some stretching exercises to get it working again. for the
Thanks for addressing this. I will be more conscious of my hand relaxation.
P. Hancock
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peter hancock Thanks! I'm glad it's helping. Let me know if you have any specific segments or excerpts you would like some help with.
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End of the Year Challenge: Finish Strong!
