hi rocker_mud-
thanks so much for your fanship!
there are so many exercises that i have used over the years as warm-up-exercises, but in the end i've found that for me, personally, the most straightforward works best. for whatever reason, i still really like to use one finger per fret permutation exercises or 3 note per string scales over the entire range of the fingerboard if i am just trying to get my hands into performance mode.
however, in typical adam nitti fashion
, i try to change things up a little so that even the simple exercises end up offering great challenges. for those that aren't familiar, there are 24 basic fretting hand fingering permutation exercises. most of you have seen these before... with your hand in a one finger per fret hand position in a static location on the neck, the fretting hand fingerings would be:
1 2 3 4
1 2 4 3
1 3 2 4
1 3 4 2
1 4 2 3
1 4 3 2
2 1 3 4
2 1 4 3
2 3 1 4
2 3 4 1
2 4 1 3
2 4 3 1
3 1 2 4
3 1 4 2
3 2 1 4
3 2 4 1
3 4 1 2
3 4 2 1
4 1 2 3
4 1 3 2
4 2 1 3
4 2 3 1
4 3 1 2
4 3 2 1
traditionally, you would play each permutation in a single hand position, playing all 4 notes on each string and then moving across all strings ascending and descending. but what i like to do is vary the hand positions significantly so that they are much more challenging and do a better job of getting your fretting hand warmed up for 'cross-string' jumps and movements.
for example, instead of just having your hand in position one finger per fret on a single string at a time, try placing your hand in positions that utilize a different string for each successive note you play in a single hand position. i've attached some examples that were taken from my "
mastering right and left hand technique" course on
musicdojo.com.
obviously, if you go through all 24 permutations diligently and without error using any or all of the aforementioned hand positions, you are going to do GREAT things for your dexterity and endurance!
oh yeah.... and don't forget to watch your alternation! that's the most challenging part when you're playing these using cross-string hand positions:
https://www.musicdojo.com/courses/1/bt101_04_vid03.mov
of course, you can vary any scale or pattern-based exercise in the same way so that it offers the same challenges. the possibilities are almost limitless!!!
as for australia, i have been there before and absolutely LOVE it there. however, i don't have anything booked at this time. as you can imagine, it is quite challenging to visit there because of distance and subsequent expense. it would be great to come to that part of the world to do some touring and clinics, and i am working on a solution, so i hope to cross paths with you there one day in the not too distant future.
hope this all helps,
adam
