Group 2

Unlock the secret to mastering your right-hand arpeggios in this two-week intensive course with renowned guitarist Arturo Castro Nogueras. Designed for guitarists of all levels, this course focuses on essential techniques to relax your right-hand thumb, enhancing your fluidity and control.

COURSE HIGHLIGHTS:

  • Learn techniques to ease thumb tension while playing arpeggios.
  • Improve fluidity and control in your arpeggio patterns.
  • Understand the impact of thumb relaxation on overall arpeggio execution.
  • Practice a series of arpeggio-focused exercises and etudes.
  • Develop a balanced and efficient right-hand position for arpeggios.
  • Apply thumb relaxation techniques to various arpeggio patterns and musical excerpts.

Throughout the course, Arturo will provide detailed lessons and hands-on practice to help you refine your arpeggio technique and elevate your playing. Whether you’re looking to enhance your skills or achieve a more balanced right-hand position, this course offers the tools and insights you need to succeed.

TIMELINE:

  • Sign-Up : May 29th - June 2nd
  • Course Period: June 3rd - June 14th
  • Optional check-In via Zoom: June 10th, 10 am PST

ASSINGMENTS WEEK 1

  1. Arpeggio Exercise

    • Instructions: Position your fingers on the first four strings.
    • Pattern: Perform a simple P-I-M-A arpeggio.
    • Detail: Immediately after playing with your thumb (P), take an extra moment to relax.
    • Steps:
      • Play with thumb (P)
      • Relax
      • Play with index (I)
      • Play with middle (M)
      • Play with ring (A)
  2. Leo Brouwer's Estudio Sencillo No. 6

    • Instructions: Position your thumb (P) and ring finger (a) into playing position.
    • Detail: After playing with your thumb (P), immediately relax.
    • Focus: Ensure relaxation after each thumb stroke to maintain fluidity.
  3. Triple Thumb Exercise

    • Instructions: Place your thumb (P) on the sixth string.
    • Pattern: Play the last three strings in reverse order: 6th, 5th, and 4th, relaxing after playing each string.
    • Steps:
      • Play the 6th string with thumb (P) and relax
      • Play the 5th string with thumb (P) and relax
      • Play the 4th string with thumb (P) and relax

Exercise Instructions:

1. Arpeggio A Major

  •     Position your fretting hand to play an A major chord.
  •     Place your thumb (right hand) on the 5th string.
  •     Strum the 5th string with your thumb and relax your hand.
  •     Perform a hammer-on with your pinky on the 4th fret of the 5th string.
  •     Quickly place your thumb again on the 4th string.
  •     Strum the remaining strings of the chord.
  •     Focus on maintaining a relaxed posture and fluid motion throughout the exercise.

2. Carcassi Etude No. 25 (First Bar)

  •    Apply the same principles as the Arpeggio A Major exercise.
  •    Position your fretting hand according to the notation for the first bar of Carcassi Etude No. 25.
  •    Start with your thumb on the designated string.
  •    Play the notes as indicated in the etude, focusing on relaxation and precision.
  •    Emphasize the hammer-on technique if required by the notation.

3. Maintaining Right Hand Stillness and Relaxation

  • Practice playing the thumb strokes of various exercises or pieces slowly.
  • Focus on keeping the rest of your hand relaxed and still while playing the thumb.
  •  Avoid unnecessary tension in your hand and fingers.
  •  Gradually increase speed while maintaining relaxation and stillness.

4. Bonus Practice: Tremolo with Relaxation

  •  Position your hand for tremolo technique, typically with the thumb playing bass notes and fingers playing rapid repetitions on higher strings.
  •  Start slowly to ensure each finger movement is relaxed and controlled.
  •  Concentrate on keeping each finger relaxed as it alternates with the thumb.
  •  Increase speed gradually while maintaining relaxation and precision.
  •  Focus on a consistent, even tone with each finger stroke.

 

 

1. Villa-Lobos Etude No. 2 E7 Arpeggio in Bar 23, using the Triple Thumb Exercise:

 

   - Start by reviewing the triple thumb exercise demonstrated in the first video.

   - Familiarize yourself with the E7 arpeggio in Villa-Lobos Etude No. 2.

   - Apply the triple thumb technique to the E7 arpeggio. Use your thumb consecutively on different bass strings to play the 6th, 5th, and 4th string of the E7 arpeggio.

   - Practice slowly at first, ensuring accuracy and clarity of each note.

   - Gradually increase speed while maintaining control and precision.

   - Focus on smooth transitions between strings and consistent thumb technique throughout.

 

2. Luigi Legnani Caprice No. 29 F sharp minor using the Triple Thumb Exercise:

 

   - Review the triple thumb exercise to ensure familiarity.

   - Study the F sharp minor arpeggio in Legnani Caprice 29 Bar 1.

   - Apply the triple thumb technique to the F sharp minor arpeggio, using your thumb on consecutive bass strings to play the relevant chord tones.

   - Practice slowly and methodically, paying attention to finger placement and coordination.

   - Increase speed gradually, maintaining accuracy and control.

   - Concentrate on achieving smooth transitions between notes and strings.

 

3. Tremolo Practice with Relaxation After Each Finger:

 

   - Begin by practicing a basic tremolo pattern (p-a-m-i) on a single string.

   - Focus on relaxing your fingers after each stroke, allowing them to return to a neutral position.

   - Pay attention to the quality of sound produced by each finger and strive for consistency.

   - Practice at a comfortable tempo initially, gradually increasing speed as you become more comfortable.

   - Take short breaks between practice sessions to avoid fatigue and tension buildup.
 

 

4. Breaking Down Big Arpeggio Sections into Smaller Ones:

 

   - Identify large arpeggio sections in the pieces you're working on.

   - Divide these sections into smaller, manageable segments based on patterns or hand positions.

   - Practice each smaller segment individually, focusing on precision and fluidity.

   - Gradually integrate these segments back together, ensuring smooth transitions between each part.

   - Repeat this process as needed until you can perform the entire arpeggio section seamlessly.

   - Use a metronome to maintain steady progress and monitor your improvement over time.

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    • Gunter
    • Gunter
    • 4 mths ago
    • Reported - view

    Arturo Castro Nogueras

    Here are my attempts on the second exercise. Like David, I have problems with my left hand as well. The tension in my left hand makes it more difficult to be relaxed in the right hand. But that was perhaps part of the exercises.

    While I was practising the A-major arpeggio, I asked myself, how do I know, whether my right hand thumb is relaxed or just idle with tension. Perhas this is a stupid question, but I am really not sure, if my thumb is relaxed, especially with a tense left hand. Do I have to practice slower?

    Here are my videos...

    https://1drv.ms/v/s!AnKUSGIvnByMhuBTKxWz8UIDQtxvkA?e=57GHvo

    https://1drv.ms/v/s!AnKUSGIvnByMhuBb-V-TQ2tIFMkwYA?e=qxX9RV

    Like 2
    • Gunter thank you very much for sharing your videos. In general it looks good. May I suggest a small exercise to address that? We can do it by steps:

       

      1. Place both your hands ready to play the A major arpeggio.

       

      2. While you play the 5th string with your RH thumb, feel your thumb as it goes over the string and lands on the 4th string. 

       

      3. Relax everything. (While holding the position, release both your hands). 

       

      4. Continue playing the arpeggio.

       

      Let me know if this helps. Also, no worries, there are no stupid questions here :) only things I can help you with or not 

      Like 1
    • Peternull
    • Peter.5
    • 4 mths ago
    • Reported - view

    Arturo, finally got the first video of Brouwer https://youtu.be/iKyhx6yfB-o, sorry for the lateness. Gmail was reverting to my work address,,,,

    Like 1
    • Peter thank you very much for your video. Looks good :)

      When you practice it, do you do it slower? So you have time to think about your Thumb and having control over the whole arpeggio?

      Like
      • Peternull
      • Peter.5
      • 4 mths ago
      • Reported - view

      Arturo Castro Nogueras , I have  been told to do arpeggios as fast as possible to develop muscle memory but it seems the opposite is more true.

      Like 1
      • Peternull
      • Peter.3
      • 3 mths ago
      • Reported - view

      Peter Peter I think the point is to use this exercise to relax the thumb after each use, not to develop muscle memory for fast arpeggios. 

      Like 1
    • Peter both ways serve a different purpose.  You don't want to create a memory of something that is incorrect, so you do it slow to have right first. 

      Like
      • Peternull
      • Peter.5
      • 3 mths ago
      • Reported - view

      Arturo Castro Nogueras true, although my first teacher wanted rocket fast, I need to go slow, slow makes smooth and smooth makes fast. I have avoided the metronome and it shows. I just don't have good luck with subdivisions.

      Like 1
    • Peter can you explain why are you not lucky with subdivisions? 

      Also, remember not only smooth but also relaxed :D

      Like
      • Peternull
      • Peter.5
      • 3 mths ago
      • Reported - view

      Arturo Castro Nogueras , I lose track sometimes, dotted 1/8 notes in 3/4 time for example.

      I try to sound them out but I get frustrated. Being honest here.

      Like
    • Peter I understand. Let's do something. If you can, post a short section of a piece or an example where you have this and I'll help you practice it. 

      Like
  • Here are the exerpts I talk about in the 3rd video. 

    1. Villa-Lobos Etude No. 2 Bar 23

    2. Legnani Caprice No. 29 Bar 1 and 2

    Like
  • Hi guys, let me know if there is any other questions I can help you out. I'll be here until tomorrow and then you can always contact me through social media or email. 

     

    ([email protected])

    Like
    • Arturo Castro Nogueras Arturo, I just want to say thank you very much for your detailed, clear and patient instructions. Unfortunately we had a bereavement in the family and I could not participate in the way I had hoped when I signed up. But I have watched all the videos and the zoom session and picked up a lot of useful information. I will keep working on those exercises. Also I have learned how to upload video here. All in all it has been a very rewarding experience, so once again: thank you!

      Like 1
    • Gunter
    • Gunter
    • 3 mths ago
    • Reported - view

    Arturo Castro Nogueras

    Dear Arturo

    Here are my latest attempts on the E7 arpeggio.

    https://1drv.ms/v/s!AnKUSGIvnByMhuB0fVPo7zHKPv3HFA?e=lweOrI

     

    I think I know the sensation of relaxation in my right hand now and try to implement it in my playing. I am thinking of doing some relexation exercises during the warm up section and when learning new pieces. Do you think that this is enough to make relaxation a habit or do I have to "relearn" my repertoire pieces?

     

    Thank you for your support. I am looking forward to "meeting" you in other courses, for example the tres canciones populares, that I might try next.

     

    Kind regards,

     

    Günter

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