The Guitar Exercise that Changed My Life

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When I first started playing the guitar, I was obsessed with not wasting any time, and figured out a very annoying way to practice while in school, without my guitar. I eventually made into a great guitar practice tool that has been very useful for myself as well as many of my students. I want to share it with you and i hope you enjoy this little video.
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[@andretonelli]

If you enjoyed the video and learned something new, could you please hit the 👍button, it really helps a lot! Thank you so much everyone! Andre

[@TeamFRYFTW]

I'll do one better and subscribe as well. This particular video is going to help me so much as a 3 week beginner. Can't wait to see what other knowledge you have to share!

[@andretonelli]

@@TeamFRYFTW welcome! I think you’ll find a lot of stuff you can use in previous videos, too! Best, Andre

[@richardnissman6511]

@andretonelli are you touching the guitar with your picking hand 3 and 4 fingers, using it as a guide to help with accuracy?

[@andretonelli]

@@richardnissman6511 hi Richard, my fingers are just resting “dead” on the guitar. They are not doing anything really!. Andre

[@thisisstevet]

Thank you. Going to be busy with this …

[@askip7]

One time I was in Guitar Center. Some dude was playing and was so good a small crowd had gathered around him to listen. Somebody complimented him and said ‘You’re really talented’. He said ‘Yeah people say that all the time and I always tell them it isn’t talent…it’s hard work’

[@andretonelli]

When I first moved to America in 1998, I had a basic knowledge of English (it was actually quite good for back then!). I was playing guitar in a local music shop when someone came up to me and said: “dude, you’re sick. Your playing is the shit, man.” I was shocked someone would walk up to a stranger and call them shit and sick! I mumbled something, turned it off and went home, quite depressed… when I told the guy at the store what happened, he told me what the guy actually meant!

[@askip7]

@@andretonelli Oh man, that’s funny!

[@lilianwal2385]

​@@andretonellihahah that's funny

[@coppulor6500]

​@@willbluefield5776 No. There is no human on this planet that was born with the ability to play any instrument. Until we can plug a USB T cable (USB 17.0), into a port inserted in our heads that conveys the music we hear in our brains into audible sound, all musicians have to put in hard work to get to the point where they can use their musical talent/gifts. To be able to fully express what you hear in your head takes a lifetime of practice for many. After 40 years, I can still barely scratch the surface of what I hear in my head. Have I practiced like a fiend? No I have not. Maybe if that was my only responsibility in life, I could get there. But it doesn't just require musical ability and talent. I honestly think it also requires the ability to understand how chords work and to understand music theory to a very deep degree to be able to fully unleash all that a creative person hears in their head. Which is why I think it's so uncommon.

[@coppulor6500]

@willbluefield5776 agreed that there are extraordinary but rare examples like Mozart. But even he required repetition to get his body to do what his brain conjured up. Having played violin, piano (just barely) and guitar, my personal opinion is that piano is by far the least difficult to mechanically operate and to gain substantial physical proficience. Also, you can't play out of tune if you wanted to, unlike stringed instruments, so its easier. There is a reason people type on a "keyboard". Its the most natural interface. This takes nothibg away from Mozart's genius. We know his name, not because of his technical ability (crazy how Mozart could play 64th notes at 200 bpm!!!!). Nobody cares about that. Its his writing ability. There is, no way, in fact, to know just how technically proficient he was other than anecdotes. But we do have fairly detailed accounts of just how many hours a day he spent writing and playing the piano/harpsichord (8 hours!). And look how much our standards have changed with KZbin showing the world just how many impressive amazing guitarist exist. Far more than most realized. I'm stunned by some of the stuff I see/hear. But nobody is moved by that like they are by an amazing song, something that moves you deeply. THAT is what is innate. The ability to transcribe the music you hear in your head requires learning to read music, learning to play those notes on the piano in order to vet your ideas. I believe you are conflating instrumentalist and song writer. Impressive guitar playing ability heard in a music store is not about someone strumming an acoustic guitar and singing the latest song they've written, its blowing oeople away with instrumental virtuosity. I was born with musical ideas in my head. From my earliest memories, I could hum a solo with any kind if music due to that innate improv ability. An ability which I was just born with. Zero work involved. Zero practice. Trying to put those sounds in my head into audible reality requires lots of practice. It may have required less for mozart than many or most, but one does not simply walk up to an instrument they've never played and bust out a perfect scale.

[@jeffpatsey1594]

I am pretty much a beginner and I started off not liking this exercise. However, in just a few days of playing every combination I am noticing a significant improvement in my playing, speed and accuracy. Thank You...

[@andretonelli]

That’s great to hear, Jeff! Andre

[@coppulor6500]

impressive dedication. you are off to a great start!

[@spacejockey4746]

How about your “musicality”? If you’re “pretty much a beginner” you shouldn’t be worrying about speed to much.

[@coppulor6500]

@@spacejockey4746 this is but one exercise. Also it's not intended to improve musicality. It is intended to improve technique which, in turn, allows one to express their misicality. You can have all the ideas you want but if you can't play the instrument, it doesnt matter.

[@alexanderperez-sanz1779]

Amazing clear simple goals.

[@dreamchasergarage690]

Pushing 60 years old, finally decided to learn how to play, can't afford lessons. This exorcise is simple genius. Even with my untrained eyes and ears I understand the value. Thank you.

[@andretonelli]

I’m so glad to hear that! Andre

[@mj-fs7yp]

My teacher's oldest student is 71. It's never too late. How are you coming along a month later?

[@tonyarnold9784]

just 70 (weird!) and bought a guitar....this is a good exercise I think

[@PedroRoese]

I'm glad you're getting the exorcism you needed

[@telbon8869]

​@@tonyarnold9784 If you think 70 is weird, try Being 73!!

[@darko714]

When I first picked up guitar 40 years ago my college roommate showed me exactly these exercises. I practiced for hours before learning any actual music. 5 years later when I first started playing with other musicians they heard me noodling and said “okay you play lead” even though I didn’t know shit.

[@andretonelli]

😀

[@emankayker8257]

that's jazz! : D

[@darko714]

@@emankayker8257 lol

[@MrLBDude]

Very well said.

[@GuitarLessonsMadeEasy]

I always get "this doesn't work and it's a waste of time" but I'm hear to say it does work, it allows you to focus more on the technique than the notes, your focus is more directed to pick and hand sync , great lesson !!!

[@kees2616]

Thank you Andre. I am from the Netherlands and 63 years old. After playing for 2 years when I was 25 I stopped for 38 years. I bought myself a second hand guitar one month ago. Your video and lesson gave me the good spirit (again). God Bless you.

[@andretonelli]

That’s fantastic, thank you for sharing! Andre

[@kees2616]

@@andretonelli 🤝👋

[@cryptojoecoin5480]

This guy needs to get up every day and thanks God for those fingers. I’ve been playing for 40 years with stubby digits, and it definitely makes things harder!

[@auratnik]

That exercise my teacher showed me 40 years ago but as a 12 years old I didn't understand the point but a few years later I incorporated it in my practice routine. Highly recommended!

[@andretonelli]

Hi Ales, sometimes we’re just not ready for things, but we never know when they will click. Thanks for stopping by! Andre

[@Rainingsandstone]

How many reps or how much time would you say is good to practice with his per day?

[@auratnik]

@@RainingsandstoneHalf an hour per day as is very intense and boring at the begging.

[@Frankyz84]

I have been using this exercise on my students for 20 years, my guitar teacher showed it to me over 35 years ago, great dexterity exercise and so many variations on the theme.

[@sureshbalaram]

Lots of guitar players share their expertise, I think this is one of the best. Many thanks to you and God bless you ❤😊

[@DJK-cq2uy]

Fat deal

[@toniomiklo2406]

With 26 years of guitar practicing under the belt I must say this video is hands down one of the most important I've ever seen. This really is going to take your guitar ability to the next level. Thank you.

[@andretonelli]

Thank you Tonio for the kind words! Andre

[@tonyarnold9784]

You have played 26 years (now 27)...i am 70 and just started so at 97 maybe i will master it!

[@patrickkelly9721]

I was self-taught at around 10 years old. I played consistently until my late 20s. I played chords/rhythm with emphasis on my right hand for "flourish" (right-handed) After a 35 year hiatus I have begun trying to play again. Now 64 years old. I still remember each chord, but not the order they go in to play any of the large catalog I used to play. But I have started learning songs I never played before, primarily rock. I also am learning lead riffs and solos. The exercise you show in this video is helping immensely. This might help stave off the arthritis that is increasing in my fingers. Being new and clumsy to this I found picking each note 4 times helps. Then 3 times, then 2, then 1. Old dog relearning and old, and new, trick. Thank you.

[@andretonelli]

Thanks for sharing that, Patrick! This kind of comments fill me with joy. I hope you'll find some of the other vies useful, as well. Andre

[@SchoolforHackers]

Ah! Thank you Patrick! I thought I was just a lamer for doing that.

[@audioexpeditions]

Can you elaborate it more, i don't understand why picking each note multiple time helps, I'm just curious.

[@migyverman]

​@@audioexpeditions Muscle memory

[@practicerepobarrie]

For those of us who were less fortunate not being able to take lessons, (very expensive) this is such good information and I hope you will continue to pass on these great tips and exercises on to us. Thank you for sharing.

[@andretonelli]

Not planning to stop posting videos. anytime soon… Though KZbin’s mysterious choices when it comes to showing my videos or not is MADDENING! 😀 thanks for the kind words.

[@practicerepobarrie]

I don't quite understand, YT works perfectly 😂 I have posted over 1000 help/type practice what I call video tabs (chord stuff) as I thought people would me like, oh this is awesome an easy way to practice and its free. I know I can't collect a dime from it because it's all copyright stuff and I certainly wouldn't continue after this many uploads and not even 150 subscribers. Man I can hardly, get a like or a comment. Sometimes I think they are hoping I will just go away and give it up. I don't mind as I started all this as a online backup for myself, but a had shown a friend and he was like "man you have to make these public" so I did and managed to connect to a few people but I thought I'd have 1000'a by now because it's all done for you. Just click and play. I'm not schooled in music, it has all been done on my own. I never started playing until I was 40, learning the most basic stuff from J. Sandercoe. I used to post on guitar sites but rather be on my own. If you ever bored drop by and check it out. Some are better than others, I know that, but I don't claim to be the worlds best or anything. I hate typing all the lyrics, I will try to find what I think are the best until tabs and just tweak them if I can. It's not against the law, but some people who submit transcriptions my not like me say that I just regurgitate stuff. If I just did that I would be cheating myself. I do enjoy the challenge and the reward of playing along and it sounds pretty good I think. I'm not into lead playing, and I guess for the subs I have right now are happy about that or I might stop what I'm doing.

[@Ten80pete]

Something that I kind of had intuited, but never really considered is that because I was a guitar autodidact, if I saw a Barre chord that seemed to throw off the rhythm while I gradually positioned my fingers and then... usually get maybe 3 notes to ring out with the occasional fret buzz

[@MOAB-UT]

Guitar Tricks is not expensive and awesome. No excuses not to learn these days.

[@susanhawkes2519]

There is much variation among teachers...

[@aheadofitstimemusic8430]

Michael Toth in Vancouver was the teacher who showed me this in 1978. After career and kids “paused” my guitar playing for 35 years, I picked up guitar again and this was my first step back. Thank you both.

[@dianegordon5366]

same here - feels great, doesn't it? I'm amazed that some things you never lose. When I was nine, getting my ring finger to play the basic D chord was a real challenge. So were fretted chords. And I never lost being able to do fingerpicking patterns, even a tremelo.

[@nancymarshall1312]

I took lessons in 1972 as a 10 year old, now picking it back up at 60. I figure by 70 I'll be touring, lol. Never too late to be rock star.

[@dianegordon5366]

@@nancymarshall1312 You go girl!!!

[@nancymarshall1312]

@@dianegordon5366 thank you Diane, appreciate it.

[@dukenukembubblegum7311]

You know, I have a very addictive personality. When I do something I try it to the absolute max, it used to be things that were not good for me, about 6 months ago I bought my first guitar, a squire tele. I playing about 3-4 hours a day, work on scales everyday, and in between work on songs that I’ve wanted to learn. I do hand stretching to work on my range of motion, and decided to look for something new to add, and by the end up doing this my hand was actually sore lol, those weird combos work awesome. So big thanks, I will definitely be adding this to my practice routine, and hopefully help me along on my guitar journey here.

[@andretonelli]

Congratulations on starting with the guitar. It will be an awesome journey! Sounds like you have your routine figured out, too! Andre

[@MarceloPinto-fw5sw]

Have you tried MMA?

[@dukenukembubblegum7311]

@@MarceloPinto-fw5sw no, never got to big into mma stuff. It’s kinda funny though when I look back on comments from when a while ago, an seeing the things I was working on, an how much farther along I’ve come with the guitar.

[@gregoryzischke1843]

Right on man!! I can relate to your story, except for one thing, I started playing guitar about 50 some years ago and if my first guitar was close to the quality of your squire tele, I would be a virtuoso by now!! I have around 45 guitars today and a couple are squire tele's that I play almost everyday!!

[@meltheartist1147]

@@gregoryzischke1843 what is the basic difference of a Squier vs American Standards, made in Mexico, made outside US etc, ?? My husband is a professional guitar player. Between us we have over 30 guitars. I have been playing/fooling around with guitar since I was 15. I’m 63 now and have recently gotten fired up to seriously hunker down and get back to it. I never got past a basic beginner/very early intermediate Rhythm guitarist. I don’t care about being a lead guitarist. That is my husband’s forte. But at this age, I want to hit my goal of being a very decent rhythm guitarist, so I’m practicing again and learning things off of KZbin, etc. We have all these beautiful guitars. I am blessed to have my pic of the crop at any time to practice with. I have a made in Mexico Tele (Nashville player) and a made in Mexico Strat, too. I also own a vintage 1960 Gibson Les Paul Junior that was my uncles in studio sessions in the 60s and 70s. My husband has a lot of vintage and newer Fenders and Gibsons. I never understand what the difference is really between Squires, Americans, and all the others. Can anyone give me a solid basic breakdown about this? Thanks! ❤

[@donnlarossa9173]

always use a metronome while practicing and use your voice too along with the notes. Amazing how that works

[@axel9473]

I wouldn't say always unless you are planning to always play with a click on stage, when recording, etc

[@davidgifford7748]

I did this practice about 15 minutes yesterday and then about 10 minutes today. I then decided to test my newfound coordination by playing through Landslide, specifically where Buckingham solos over the travis picking. I couldn't believe it. I sailed through what is usually a very tricky part for me. Wow!

[@ahom_ahom_ahom]

Great.

[@andretonelli]

Hi David, I know I’m a bit late, but that’s great to hear! Thanks for sharing. Andre

[@steverubino7190]

Thank you, Im a 62 year old trying to learn to play. I will work on this :) ciao bello

[@andretonelli]

Best of luck Steve! Ciao. Andre

[@SpiritYouAll]

I literally had to stop this before even two minutes! Why? Because I experienced enough to show gratitude when a truly good person shares their wisdom. Now I shall really enjoy the rest of the video. But first I like and sub. With Blessings and thanks hermano.

[@andretonelli]

@@SpiritYouAll thank you for the very kind comment. I hope you enjoy the rest of the channel and welcome! Andre

[@mikebrown9850]

I’ve been warming up with this exercises every time I practice. I’ve incorporated my picking strokes to coordinate with the first finger of the set. Example: 4213= 4 strokes per note. 3142= 3 strokes per note etc. This is yielding both fretting and picking dexterity. A great exercise for all levels of player. Thanks for tutorial AND for posting the chart!

[@vincentdinatale6962]

A clear presentation and a valuable lesson on what should be the FIRST thing students should practice BEFORE tackling music theory and scale practice!

[@theoriginalheartstrummer]

No explanation of tempo, precision, incremental development, common challenges, pushing past sticky points, time requirements and so on and so on. Too much missing to really be very useful. Especially for an exercise that is extremely common.

[@vincentdinatale6962]

@@theoriginalheartstrummer You are obviously a competent musician but your reading skills suck! I clearly praised what I regard as a vital first step! What you mention certainly follows.

[@bobpratt4816]

I love it on 1 3 2 4 when you say it's harder than it seems - no, it seems hard :)

[@cynthiastewart3331]

Drunk spider exercise I was !! Love it!! 💕

[@cynthiastewart3331]

…told.

[@Raven81_]

That first tip is so spot on! There are no shortcuts. You have to put in the hard work. I needed to hear that right now! Thanks! Rock on!🤘

[@andretonelli]

Glad it was helpful! How has this exercise been treating you? Andre

[@andretonelli]

Glad it was helpful! How have these exercises been treating you? Andre

[@groa4]

Thanks for reminding me to do this today. I started doing this exercise a couple years or so so ago after playing for 15 years. I started with a quite a quick pace of 16ths at 90bpm (I had been playing for a long time so this was pretty straightforward, players with less experience would probably start with half this speed) I would do 3 of these rows a day from fret 1 to 12 up and down then move on to the next 3 overlapping with the last two I did the day before (day 1 row 1+2+3, day 2 row 2+3+4, etc) This cycle takes 6 days 1 2 3 4 2 3 4 1 3 4 1 2 4 1 2 3 1 2 4 3 2 3 1 4 3 4 1 2 4 1 3 2 1 3 2 4 2 1 3 4 3 2 1 4 4 2 3 1 1 3 4 2 2 4 3 1 3 2 4 1 4 2 3 1 1 4 2 3 2 1 3 4 3 4 1 2 4 3 1 2 1 4 3 2 2 1 4 3 3 4 2 1 4 3 2 1 It took 5 weeks of bumping up the tempo 10bpm a week to get this up to 140bpm That's when it starts getting very difficult to progress much further. And I would separate things into one row I would do faster, say 160bpm and the other rows I would do at an established speed. Eventually there's a point where you have to mentally group the notes differently, instead of thinking of 4 separate notes at 180bpm once I got to that it was just a sequence. It took a few months to get to 185-200bpm which is where I decided to stop because I was getting diminishing returns in affecting other parts of my guitar playing and it was just becoming about doing the exercise. Now I just do a column or two a few times a week or whenever I feel my chops getting rusty. This whole process was very beneficial in ways that I didn't anticipate it would be. I was able to whip my fingers around for single note lines a lot better for sure. However the most improvement I got from this was the ability to play independent lines on the guitar much better and with fantastic legato because I was able to get my fingers where I wanted them much faster and more accurately. Overall the most important thing here is using the metronome to force yourself to solve the movements required and strip away anything that is superfluous to movements which you will be forced to do in transitioning between strings once you get past 120bpm

[@andretonelli]

Thanks for sharing that Michael!

[@anthonythomas6593]

You lost me after your 10,000th word.😂

[@JeffKinglive]

I watched a video of Trey Anastsio explaining this! So awesome to hear the same advice from a different perspective and musician. You're great, thank you so much for your videos, Andre

[@andretonelli]

@@JeffKinglive Thank you Jeff, it’s good to know! Andre

[@johnskerlec9663]

I tried to teach these to my young niece years ago, suggesting they would help her fingers get stronger and familiar with positions in prep for other stuff. The commitment for practice always changes the plan. I found when applied to modes, and using string skipping and adjacent string plucking it was possible to open up this idea to soloing and jamming in really cool ways. Thanks for the post Andre, I now feel I should revisit my practice sessions like I used to in the old days.

[@andretonelli]

Hi John, thanks for sharing. It always feels great to know when these videos inspire people in a small way. Cheers! Andre

[@lopezb]

Good! I learned this elsewhere and did this for a couple of months but had stopped and forgotten about it- this got me started again. The "4 times on each" is helpful as is the thoughtfulness about the differences of each one. I will re-start doing this now every day!

[@lopezb]

BTW, this pattern is easy to remember as it is in "dictionary order " (called in mathematics "lexicographic order", that is, all possible words with letters abcd are ordered in the dictionary, abcd abdc adbc adcb, then starting with "b" and so on. The number of patterns is (# ways to choose 1st letter) x (# ways to choose 2nd given that)x( # ways to choose 3rd given that )x( # ways to choose 4nd given that)= 4x3x2x1 = 24 as he said. This is called "4 factorial" and is written 4! Cheers!

[@andretonelli]

That’s exactly how I did it, @lopezb. Andre

[@cmberrian]

Yeah, these types of exercises are great. I hope you don't mind me adding that I think it's helpful to also use a metronome and then try quarter, eighths, triplets and sixteenths (when you can do them evenly) always start slow and don't move up the speed until you can play the spacings evenly . Doing that with the metronome really helped my sense of time that carried over into other playing situations. You also can do all of these exercises legato -just pick the first note. Stop if you feel any pain. Nice video!

[@andretonelli]

Absolutely!

[@jessed6151]

When you say stop when you feel pain, does that just mean take a break for the day/ hour(s) to give your hand some rest??

[@kwinso]

​@@jessed6151 I think it means to take a break until pain disappears. It doesn't take long usually

[@Mr911Medic]

I second the metronome. Its a priceless tool.

[@ourclarioncall]

Drum backing tracks on KZbin are also good

[@57RickH]

I've been playing on & off for 50 years and find this very helpful! You have a new subscriber sir. 👍🏻👍🏻🎸

[@andretonelli]

Thank you! And welcome! Andre

[@chrislovesstamps]

Really helpful. I just started out (again) and came across your channel. 2 years ago I gave up, mostly due to myself. Now I watched several videos and some say ‘don’t give up’. Those simple words really help. These excercices look simple, but there is a lot to them. I found your tips really helpful And wrote them down, definitely gonna watch more of your videos and hold on to playing. I found it really essential to monitor my progress, getting better every day little by little but also accepting that sometimes you are allowed to have a bad day. Then it is important to come back to your guitar the next day and do your routines. Thank Andre!

[@andretonelli]

Thank you! And welcome to the channel! Andre

[@davidjthorne1733]

Some words of encouragement...Every guitarist has been there, and they will all tell you the same thing - it's worth it. When I first played Wish You Were Here accousitc and Shine On You Crazy Diamond electric properly for the first time (Floyd fan, abviously) I felt like a guitar god! I'm not much good, but just knocking out the odd blues riff now and then is pure therapy. Whatever or whoever inspires you, keep at it. It will improve your life in ways you least expect - musical people tend to be more 'rounded individuals' - philisophically speaking. Even the most tortured souls are exorcised through their playing! Make them fingers bleed...!!!

[@sarthakkashyap5349]

Incorporating this routine from today Ill comment here exactly 1 years after practicing this everyday. Thanks for the advice Ive been looking for something like this . Big appreciation 🔥

[@andretonelli]

Please do! Andre

[@LinkySlinky]

Same. I wonder how much of a difference it will make

[@Chaosmosis]

We'll wait here then?

[@alejandrobarahona2465]

Yessir

[@Dilijahhh]

Waiting patiently 🙏🏾

[@sebastianbecher8927]

This is a random video suggestion but it’s great. I have done those excercises for years and think they’re great. I think players should also experiment with with varying time signatures. Play the notes in 3/4 or 5/8 groupings. And if you want to make it worse, emphasise individual notes in each group. Say you play the easiest one: 1234. Put an emphasis on one. Then on 2 , then on 3 , etc etc …. Change dynamics, etc.. it’s endless … this is a great and helpful video. Thank you :)

[@andretonelli]

Great suggestions Sebastian, and thank you! Andre

[@marcosavila8215]

as a teacher and player for more than 30 years (flamenco, fusion rock) this is the most important exercise for guitar...just play the chromatic scale for a month and with these variations even better...up and down, fastening the tempo and after a month go learn the proper scales...this exercise will "marry" the left and and right hand in perfect sync...that all you need to begin, after that everything will be just butter..believe me and believe Andre, Ciao de Portugal

[@andretonelli]

Thank you, Marco! I Love Portugal. Andre

[@LordMalice6d9]

This is one of the first exercises I ever learned when practicing guitar.

[@alfredbellanti3755]

Thank you. I generally lack motivation to practice but I played along with the exercises in this video. God bless.

[@jsimonlarochelle]

These are very good exercises and have been part of my routine for something like 50 years. One way to play those exercises that is very good for finger independence is to play them and keep your finger down as long as possible while moving from string to string. It does not work with all permutations but it works for most of them and will really develop your finger strength and independence.

[@electropentatonic]

I've been working on this the last two weeks and I love it. It really forces me to break those muscle memory moves that lead my hand before by mind can even think about it. Thank you

[@Ralfscho]

I played guitar between 17 and 21 and these exercises always where our warm-up exercises before we went on. I want to play again and this is what I start with now, just get strength and mobility in my fingers again, the rest comes later. Awesome stuff.

[@Masterchiefb]

In the same boat, I wanna rebuild my strength and technique because I already learned a lot about playing guitar and still have a lot of the muscle memory but my fingers won't cooperate

[@chrisholbourn2793]

You’re an exceptional communicator. What a great teaching style. Thank you so much for sharing this exercise and your experience. I can’t wait to get home to my guitar and start!!

[@andretonelli]

Thank you so much Chris, I appreciate your comment! Andre

[@tonymccake3057]

Bass player Gary Willis has a similar exercise which is to play 1-2-3-4 on one string but keeping each finger on the fretboard after it's played, so all four fingers are on the fretboard, then do the same on an adjacent string but only moving one finger from the first string at a time. It's hugely illuminating in how little control you have, especially with independence of third finger.

[@andretonelli]

That’s a great variation on the exercise for strength, while this one is more for dexterity. There are so many!

[@swamptrog5]

I'm 72 y/o and have been playing acoustic guitar 6 and 12 string fingerstyle since 1975. I originally learned, by ear, on an electric guitar in 1968. Recently, I bought an Epiphone Sheraton 2. Going from finger picking to using a plectrum is a challenge itself. But I'm very happy I found you on KZbin. Using your finger exercises, I'm sure I'll get it eventually. BTW, I've looked all over KZbin for good electric guitar teaching, and so far you are the best. Thank you!

[@andretonelli]

Thank you for sharing that! Amazing how KZbin puts people together like that. I was born years after you even started to play, are probably thousands of miles away, and yet here we are! Glad I could help you a bit in your progress. May I suggest you check out some other of my videos, I have a lot out there that will help you with picking. Andre

[@MetalMix111]

This is a fantastic practice routine man thank you for exposing me to it!

[@andretonelli]

Very welcome Nick! Andre

[@jimmeymcgee2840]

Thanks for the combinations that will keep me busy awhile!

[@DjangoThunders]

I have been teaching this for years, taught to me by a student of pat Martino's who was an incredible guitarist.

[@vincentizghra6144]

Exactly the kind of exercises I need right now. The relaxing at every note thing already working wonders. Thank you very much

[@Jonobueno]

I have a hand injury, cut the Ulnar nerve just under little finger while diving. It really slowed me up and I thought seeing as I'm not Django Rhinehart I might be stuck playing slide. I pushed through and with exercises like this I can play nearly as accurately as i did for 30 years before the accident. Great exercises there, got some new ones now, Thanks so much. 🍻

[@andretonelli]

That’s great to hear, Adam. Congratulations on working your way back to form! Andre

[@mrnieblas1]

Psoriatic arthritis in my hands cuts my play time considerably. The exercise emphasizes play and hand dexterity. I was gifted this by my teacher , forgot his name sadly, it’s been about 25 years but I do this for about 30 minutes a day

[@Steve0916]

Thanks for this! I've been playing over 35 years and do the straight chromatic, but not the permutations you showed here. Great lesson!

[@andretonelli]

Thanks Steve, glad I could help! Andre

[@dr.leonardo6382]

Your English is perfect. I wish my Italian was that perfect bravo

[@andretonelli]

Thank you Leonardo, come va il tuo italiano? 😀 Andre

[@dr.leonardo6382]

@@andretonelli actually it's pretty good. Born in Napoli immigrated to America at six months old. Returned to Italy and study medicine at University of Bologna for five years. Picked up the guitar at age 74 and realized my lifelong dream of playing my favorite rock 'n' roll songs. I am now 78 and have a room full of fender, Marshall and Gibson equipment. My equipment is much better than my ability to play ha ha but I'm having so much fun. Appreciate your lessons. Keep up the good work and God bless.

[@andretonelli]

@@dr.leonardo6382 I Love Naples! Great to hear you’ve got some great gear to keep you busy. I think most of us have way more gear than we need, so no worries! Ci vediamo presto. Andre

[@TheAlam0]

This is the perfect exercise. My friend taught me this over a year ago on his guitar, but now I'm just getting my first ever guitar today and i can't wait to emplament this first thing into my practice! This video found me at a perfect time.

[@andretonelli]

@@TheAlam0 first guitar, congratulations! And welcome. Andre

[@TheAlam0]

@andretonelli Thank you, Andre!

[@almostfancyconnoisseur8929]

your pinky is longer than my index !

[@napiyosun4677]

Same thing here :)))

[@ErikPehrsson]

Seriously!!

[@mikaelbiilmann6826]

Yes, his hand actually looks like the facehugger from Alien. 😅

[@Aaron-kp6kp]

I wish I have long fingers 😢 I can’t REEAACH

[@andretonelli]

Hi there, I see a lot of talk about long fingers, but trust me any average sized hand can and will be able to play all this! Andre

[@johnfink3641]

Hi. Long time player here taking a moment to applaud your presentation of a very "basic" technique that fits in with my guitar playing philosophy. This short video can provide a go to place for budding players to maintain interest when things get a little "ho hum" as well as established players for warm ups and coordination excercises. I've done similar runs but you've expanded on mine and presented solid basis for beginners to established players. Thank You.

[@andretonelli]

Thank you so much John! Andre

[@swmathus8176]

you are really onto something with the relaxation while finding the finger movements that cause the most tension. Great stuff.

[@78tag]

Great video Andre - for anyone serious about using 100% of their capabilities. I remember doing these exercises on the piano as a child, both hands at the same time - rub your belly and pat your head while tap dancing kind of stuff. There is an inherent weakness in the link between your third and fourth fingers that many people will ignore for their whole playing life. I agree with you completely about how much this will improve your chops. The thing that got to be a "problem" for me (as a kid) was, once I could do this smoothly (at even a slow tempo) it was so hypnotic I would lose myself in the exercise. If I had the discipline now, I had back then - I would have been doing this with the strings a long time ago. It seems impossible at first but you get it down quicker than you think if you do it every day - make a game of it. If you can't get through a section without errors, slow the metronome down and go until you can get it right. It gets to be very satisfying when you can build up even a little speed, just don't faster than you do it clean.

[@andretonelli]

Very good points! I’ve also got another “variation” of this I will have to make a video about at some point…

[@JulienMARY]

This is very good practicing exercise. Practicing is not playing. So we don't like it, but we have to do it anyway, to play better, and to progress much faster.

[@o2bnov0307]

Fastly approaching 10K subscribers. Today you're at 31.4K!!! Grazie mille.

[@andretonelli]

All thanks to you guys. Thank you! Andre

[@joeswope4869]

Andre this is great advice and very useful way of practicing working the fingers even when not sitting with the guitar

[@ColtonJohnsonBrice09]

1984 I meet Steve Morse at a music store I worked at and he show all of us this. Awesome video! Listen to his fist album and this is all over it!

[@andretonelli]

Steve is a monster player. Very nice guy, too! Now that you mention him, time to dig out my Dixie Dregs albums!

[@ColtonJohnsonBrice09]

@@andretonelli another fun fact, when he left the music store to go to the gig, he showed his humility and bought a spandex outfit hanging on the wall that we all would make fun of, it was a black spandex top and bottom with red pin stripes, he performed wearing it at the gig. We all learned a lesson that night which had nothing to do with his talent. It was thought provoking to see him perform a classical piece "Jesus of Man's Desires" in that outfit.

[@florasalvatierra2632]

Thank you I'm a beginner at 53 and I'm struggling with this so called pentatonic scales.. This will help. I'm teaching my self from U tube..

[@yurib7067]

It is never too late to learn, don’t give up.

[@florasalvatierra2632]

@@yurib7067 yeah it's relieving anti homesickness escaped .. Working alone abroad..

[@yurib7067]

@@florasalvatierra2632 even a lesson or too with a very good instructor can save you innumerable wasted hours and prevent you from developing habits that hinder your development. Don’t be afraid to find a teacher. With guitar, good technique often makes difficult things seem a lot easier, as well as making the process a more enjoyable experience.

[@gufra9835]

@@yurib7067 what TRUE words... thank you Sir!

[@nickg2431]

I did almost the same set of excercises when i started out years ago!I also found hammer ons and pull offs were really helpful through 1,2,3,4 up and down the fretboard to build strength.😀

[@andretonelli]

Abolsutely. You can actually do all of the combinations using legato, which makes for a great workout!

[@nickg2431]

@@andretonelli it does indeed,even after 35 years playing it makes a good warm up after a lay-off on guitar

[@GreenmanWood]

This exact concept was explored in the 1970s in a now hard-to-find book called Quadrophonic Fingering by Mitch Holder.

[@coleashmore]

I think the book pumping nylon goes over it

[@sam-jams6689]

I've heard of and played around with the 1234 version of this exercise, but not the rest! Looking forward to getting into it, thanks for the lesson :)

[@andretonelli]

Hope you enjoy it! Let me know how it goes. Andre

[@law_of_nature911]

Thank you for the video. I am literally just starting my self learning guitar journey today.. I'll be trying this out 🙏

[@andretonelli]

Good luck! Andre

[@bushwxcker540]

If you're a beginner (like me) and starting this exercise, do it with a metronome. Makes it a lot easier, at least for me.

[@learningguitar7220]

Great advice to stay on tempo thanks!

[@andretonelli]

A bit late but… absolutely! Metronome is king. Andre

[@bross4044]

This is super helpful. Trying to get outta guitar limbo and I’ve had so many ppl say scales but I feel like I’d be jumpin ahead as a beginner. Thank you for this vid

[@MOAB-UT]

Not really. You are procrastinating is all cause you think it's too hard. I've been there. You will do everything and anything to avoid theory. Scales are easy. Def. start with the major scale. Learn the degrees of that scale- how they get numbers like I, IV, V. Learn the formula W, W, H, W, W, W, H step, etc. Guitar Tricks is a great website if you want lessons. Chris S. is great. Saw your vids. Looks like you can play somewhat. You sound fine. Surprised you don't know scales. Take some lessons. It will open many doors. It did for me. You are a better singer than me- that's for sure!

[@gregorio4646]

Thank you. This is good advice early in the day, I will probably spend the rest of the week on it.

[@michaelsamazingenglish8580]

Great video!! THE most important one. No doubt. We neglect it because it is simple. It is simple and powerful. Thanks for reminding us.

[@andretonelli]

Thank you! Andre

[@1bullsprig]

I wish I would have done this years ago when I first started playing. I'm old now, and have been a decent player (off and on) but never did develop the finger strength in my pinky to be able to run around on the fretboard freely. I tend to use only 3 fingers and skip the pinky. Not always, but more times than not.

[@andretonelli]

Hi, have you been practicing this? How did it go? Andre

[@ronedee]

I learned chromatic finger exercises from an old Jazz guitarists several decades ago. I still use them to warm up and invented some interesting "shapes" along the way. I even use them in solos from time to time...that gets some interesting looks from my bandmates! LOL. Thanks, some nice spins on "finger exercises" here!

[@jeremyhelm2833]

My first serious guitar teacher, the awesome, effortless, Randy Sarles from Philly area, called this exercise "finger gymnastics". They were every possible permutation. Sometimes all 4 fingers, sometimes just 3. Up... Down... Sideways... Skipping strings... Whatever. They had more of an influence on me than all the jazz standards "fake books" (non copyright, hand drawn, xeroxed, loose bound, song charts) combined. Thanks Randy !!!

[@lukewilliamsactual3691]

These combinations are great exercises for the left hand when played on a single string. If you play them of four adjacent strings and maintain alternate picking, they are great right hand exercises.

[@ahom_ahom_ahom]

Excellent idea. Just what I needed to hear. Thanks

[@StephSancia]

You've inspired me to go back 59 years and RESET my tempestuous amateur guitar journey and START AGAIN :) Have a blessed day, Subbed

[@andretonelli]

Thank you so much for sharing that. And good luck! Andre

[@billkiele5819]

Ha! I don't need to go back nearly that far. It's just 50 years for me! But seriously, I will see if I can follow through and do just as you are about to do.

[@StephSancia]

@@billkiele5819 well I'm 69 in September and me and my best friend were taught guitar by the French teacher at school during dinner hours in reading Berkshire uk

[@BM-zv4xz]

It has also occurred to me not long ago that you don't always need the guitar in your hands to practice the guitar - a table or even your thumb will do. A very powerful realization. But to these exercises I would also add pressing more than one finger at a time (e.g. 1+3 together, then 2+4 together, or: 1+3+4 together then 2, and so forth. Quite a few permutations.). In real life playing this helps with combining melodic lines with chords during improvisation or just regular playing.

[@grguitaracademy5144]

Yeah, I noticed this a number of years ago with a foot ruler--the kind from grade school w/ the brass edge. You can practice all sorts of single "string" licks and exercises with that. Finger combinations, hammer-ons, pull-offs, tapping, etc.

[@veganvocalist4782]

Yes that's a good suggestion B M

[@andretonelli]

Hi, speaking of this, I made a video a while ago on How to Practice Guitar... Without a Guitar! kzbin.info/www/bejne/iKvGh4aIfKmIi8U

[@madokamagi4eva]

you are so blessed with those fingers. my pinky is barely even half the size of your pinky. im gonna have to train my fingers for a long time.

[@almishti]

When i was studying the Chinese pipa lute, my teacher taught me a variation of this kind of exercise that used the first 4 notes of a major scale instead of chromatic. But the exercise was that i ran through every combination 4 times, beginning with all combos starting on 1st finger, then all combos starting on 2nd finger etc. It was a great exercise and i sometimes use it on other instruments, including guitar, but i'm going to add this version now too!

[@michaelandersson1904]

Great Lesson!!!Thank you!!!

[@robertpurdy4452]

Great video! I do two of the permutations as part of my warmup and after watching your video I will start with a couple of the latter ones you showed us all.

[@fernandoreynaaguilar1438]

You know why I Subscribed? because I have an exact Dot like that one! it is my go to guitar!

[@andretonelli]

It’s an amazing guitar! Thanks Fernando, Andre

[@thomasjames5722]

You're awesome - thank you! I'm including this as a part of my warm up routine.

[@DesielMac]

Great job on the explanation of the finger work

[@schnapsdrossel78]

Exactly what my teacher showed me and it really is a great practice routine! Thanks for sharing.

[@alexbaxter8291]

Hey Andre, this video popped up in my feed as I'm teaching myself the basics of guitar after spending thirty plus years playing drums. I'd seen players mention the 1234 method before but never any permutations, I'm looking forward to spending a couple of (no doubt) frustrating hours this afternoon trying these exercises out and incorporating it in my practice routine. Thanks for this. Subscribed.

[@andretonelli]

That's great to hear Alex! Thank you, Andre

[@anna-rexia]

I’ve just picked up my bass guitar after 35 years and do these scales everyday .interesting to see these played on a guitar !

[@andretonelli]

Hi Anna, They make for great bass exercises, too! Andre

[@MK-moth]

Thank you for sharing! I’m trying again to learn guitar and I’m really committed to sticking with it this time, but it’s been hard to figure out how to start without lessons. I appreciate you sharing your expertise!

[@andretonelli]

Good luck! Andre

[@JoeyRossi]

Thanks for teaching me my first guitar lesson! Grazie from Canada!

[@andretonelli]

You’re welcome Joey! Ciao

[@freeplayfrank7736]

Yes, I discovered this exercise years ago too, it is excellent for teaching finger indepenance and improving finger strength. I can definitely play better and more accurately after doing it. Another good one is to pull off the notes instead of picking them, great for warming up and finger strength.

[@andretonelli]

Hi Frank! Yes,the legato variation is a must, too! Andre

[@DANJONPEARCE]

love this, it's like playing the modes, but both hands can't believe how easy it is. yet I can feel all those little muscles in the arm and finger learning their way around. although, unlike the modes or scales, the sound does not resolve to its octave, it's easier because both hands simply repeat on all strings. So simple, thanks

[@claudiafrers8923]

When you practiced with your fingers on the table, you actually develop the memory muscle of playing relaxed with no tension. What unfortunately many guitar players do is inadvertently train chromatic scales which includes lots of tension unconsciously. Therefore doing it slowly and mindful of if there is tension or not is more important imo than hammering away and ending up with carpal tunnel syndrome. Thank you for bring such an important point up often missed in guitar lessons.

[@andretonelli]

Absolutely, Claudia. Thank you! Andre

[@copperhead573]

Just an old new guitar player. Now I have exercises to work on in my practice on my electric. Thanks so much

[@andretonelli]

You are welcome!

[@frankiemae1302]

Subscribed! Can't wait to try these!

[@aleeksaha692]

I bought my first guitar in 2016, since then im learning but for past 6- 7 years i was stuck in same guitar cord practice, no idea about what to do where to go...... You are the one who show me the path through your video lectures & play lists......... I m learning again......Love & respect from India ❤❤❤

[@andretonelli]

That's awesome! Right back at you and your beautiful country. Andre

[@jimmyz5831]

Looks like a very useful practice system. FYI the ring finger (flexor) tendon and the small finger tendon are often connected. Many people including myself cannot flex the small finger independently from the ring finger. The same can be true with the thumb and index finger. Try flexing each one with the others straight and see.

[@keithfr7095]

Been playing since the 70’s and never thought to do these exercises, this is great!! Thanks!!

[@andretonelli]

You are very welcome! Andre

[@larrybegnaud7811]

As a finger picker, I’m trying to learn how to play using a pic, and these exercises seem like a good way to accelerate my learning, physical coordination, and the feel of playing with a pic. Nice lesson!

[@somasundaramsankaranarayan4592]

I find fingerpicking really difficult. I like playing only the melody part of the music. Incorporating the base notes seems very difficult for me both mentally and technique wise. Do you have any tips?

[@larrybegnaud7811]

Like all things related to learning an instrument, practice, patience, and finding the fun in learning. I’ve developed my o n patterns for finger picking, but now trying to learn Travis picking, which is challenging. But a little Tim with it every day and progress happens. Learning to use a pic is something that never felt comfortable, but since using it a little every day, it’s feeling better. And exercises like the ones in this lesson helps too. Good luck. @@somasundaramsankaranarayan4592

[@ManWithoutThePants]

@@somasundaramsankaranarayan4592 Good thing about fingerpicking is that you can kind of accompany yourself while playing melody when you start to get the hang of it and the melodies sound much more interesting because they have a context. Same note functions differently depending what you play underneath. You can push it further and have separate bassline, have a harmony and then melody on top of it. I've been learning fingerpicking only later in my life and I am no means expert in it, but I do love practicing that also. Watching some great fingerpicking players is always a joy. It's always good to have an bigger bag of techniques that you can incorporate.

[@Steeyuv]

Great exercises, but what makes them even better is playing the symmetrical scale rather than just arbitrary consecutive frets - because then you have to think about it musically as well. Harder to get right but very worthwhile. And when that’s not too hard, try counting aloud and playing two notes per count, then three…

[@gokolink]

I used to not see the point of this when I could do something more musical, but now I use a combat sport training analogy; this is strength and conditioning, whereas theory or learning repertoire is acquiring/drilling techniques and improv is sparring.

[@alexlynch8901]

You have a genuine vibe. Learning such independent finger movement and cadence makes you realize you're playing a right-handed instrument. The picking hand can guide the fretting fingers into place but not vice versa. Learn rest strokes. Aside, an interesting variation: Start with the pinky, then move the hand up as the next fingers fall on their frets. Doing a chromatic 4 notes per string from low E-fifth fret, ascending/descending up to 12th fret offers a different set of stepping stones across the the stream.

[@squirrel_82]

Thank you so much for taking the time to make this video. You are helping a lot of people out including me. I'm frustrated because I'm having to go back to basics because my knowledge is mixed but this time discipline is keeping me straight.

[@SavoryShredZ]

Thanks man! I don't think "improv" exists. It's just patterns you've become familiar with one bit at a time. This seems like a great way to shortcut to knowing all possible single-string combinations.

[@BIGV1N]

relaxing the ring finger is a great tip, I battle with keeping my hand relaxed often

[@deadgoose1]

It's an all time classic. My guitar teacher taught me this exact same exercise almost 40 years ago. Still the best