RH: I and M Alternation for Classical Guitar

ClassicalGuitar... (Includes printable notes) This is an in-depth look at right hand free stroke scale technique for classical guitar using the I and M fingers. We start away from the guitar, exploring the movements, then put it on the guitar and talk about several considerations involved in playing scale and melodies beautifully with good form.
Print notes on this video:
classicalguitar...
Visit ClassicalGuitar... for articles, tutorials and reflections on practice and the classical guitar.
See videos of Allen Mathews playing at / allenmathews
or
AllenMathews.com

[@ClassicalGuitarShed]

11 practical tips for moving ahead beginning classical guitar. These lessons are good for anyone, but beginners especially. www.classicalguitarshed.com/classical-guitar-lessons-beginners/

[@Lwmyoun]

I've been playing acoustic guitar for 7 years and just started learning the classical one by watching your videos, and I realized that I've been playing guitar in a wrong way. This video really helps me to fix my right hand. Thank you!

[@TheOne-fu1nh]

If there's one thing to master in my life, is to achieve this nature of excitement this guy has

[@Sharvyg]

I agree with you. and for classical guiatrists like us it is needed :P

[@OnTheLeftHandSide]

Best right hand guitar video on KZbin!

[@cefarther3945]

I love you, Allen, I feel like I am getting private lessons. Brilliant. I listened to a few videos before this of your playing, very talented man. Joined Classical Guitar Shed. Learning this instrument is an exciting journey because of you!

[@annprescott7723]

Thank you. This video really broke the movements down so I could really understand what I’ve been doing wrong. Thanks again

[@Luis5KMaldonado]

This is a master class why aren’t people who teach guitar using this primordial methods. Thank you so much

[@schwarzdarren]

Absolutely great lesson, your explanations (and camera work) really effectively drive home how to avoid bad form and habits. Thanks!

[@ClassicalGuitarShed]

+Darren Schwarz Thanks Darren!

[@onceuponascale]

Dear Allen, Thank you so much. I have been practicing the classical for years now. And seeing how long it takes me to learn pieces and especially how I realized mistakes were always coming from the same place mostly, the right hand. This has just opened my eyes so much. I wish I had seen your class years later. But just after a session of practice, I can really see a difference. A big thank you!!

[@eliseleonard3477]

I have had a problem for years with sticking my pinky finger out, and practicing this off guitar while holding my pinky in with my other hand has really helped change my muscle memory. My pinky is starting to be looser when I play. Thanks!

[@aymens1318]

this by far the most complete video on the subject i came across, thumb up.

[@MarcassCarcass]

My hand is so screwed up, I can't clap with one hand, my fingers don't go all the way to the palm, but I get the idea. lol You're an excellent teacher. I wish youtube existed 30 years ago.

[@joninehritamusic]

Have just bought my first classical guitar and am revisiting this video I stumbled across a couple months ago. This is gold! Thank you explaining and demonstrating so clearly!

[@colinc3292]

A great lesson complete with off-guitar exercises. Top job, thank you, Alan

[@johnnygodel7531]

I practised your system for three days, it solved the I-M alternation problem I had been struggling with since I undertook classical guitar three years ago. Thank you VERY much, I subscribed.

[@ClassicalGuitarShed]

Johnny, that is great! Thanks so much for sharing the success story!

[@miltonanderson7680]

Classical Guitar Shed

[@geoff3725]

Extremely useful .Very well demonstrated and explained.

[@elliepaige5514]

I've been playing guitar now for roughly 35 years, mostly electric, and segued into acoustic playing in the 90's. I started developing my 5 finger technique, for me its the left hand, until I had an accident and lost part of my middle finger. That moment destroyed me; I never thought I play guitar ever again. After a very frustrating summer I did start to play again but had to adapt my finger technique significantly. Now I have to rely on my ring finger to compensate for that loss. It's been a challenge coordinating between the index and ring finger but the end result reminds me how much I love to play and how much I love music.

[@ericstandefer9138]

Do you now the history of Django Rheinhert? A great jazz playerwho had his left hand burned, he lost the use of little and ring finger, but taught himself to play chords with two fingers and could once again play amazing jazz. Never, ever give up.

[@elliepaige5514]

​@@ericstandefer9138 I do know the history of Django, such an inspiration.

[@rdcoupal]

I am new to the art of acoustic classical guitar (one year) ( born in 47) and grow more passionate each and every day. Your description and instruction is thorough and easy to understand, thank you for doing this. I would love to hear, and it would be useful if you would include a short piece of music where this technique is used.

[@cheryllakin3077]

Now I can fine tune my technique to where I want it !! I've been struggling with it for a long time, and now I see where my mistakes are as well as what was getting in my way !!! It's like finding some very important pieces to a puzzle that were missing !!!! You are a fantastic instructor !!! Where have you been my whole life !!??? Thank you again for another great lesson......I'm subscribed indefinitely!

[@chuckhough]

And btw...this video is excellent. So much covered. For all you nubes...watch this every few months, so much nuance to apply and endlessly tweak and improve!

[@drombit]

I'm going to have to start paying more attention to your channel. You really do a good job of explaining things.

[@ClassicalGuitarShed]

+drombit Thanks Drombit!

[@phamthehung2]

I like how you explain things so well. I watched this video over and over like 5 times this week, lol.

[@erik878]

I had a dream just now I was running with a guitar, not just running but goose stepping very fast from rock to rock across rivers. I used to do that as a runner now I just do music, this dream assures me that I have the proper ambition

[@joa5739]

Working on getting the right hand working correctly. Thanks for the pro instruction Mr. Mathews. I'm a member of CGS and I attend your Zoom calls. Great idea for a public platform to be using Zoom. I really like that. I just have and play acoustic guitar, but I guess the same rules apply for fingerstyle to a steel string guitar as it does for a classical guitar. My aspiration is to own one fine classical guitar of the medium to higher price range. There are some very fine Guitar Luthiers who create Awesome Sounds from their guitars.

[@endlessetudes2029]

Ugh. I knew I was getting sloppy. After watching this I immediately played a scale with a lot less tension. Thank you for simplifying this technique. I'll be applying it to Aaron Shearer's scale studies.

[@ClassicalGuitarShed]

+EndlessEtudes Great! Good luck!

[@timriley69]

this is such a useful video. It really simplifies things when you demonstrate the hand motion without the guitar.

[@aberhan]

I wish I had learned this many years ago. But I will certainly apply it now.

[@martinalexander4777]

Thanks inspirational and simple. Taking it to the next level means deconstruction. I will send all my friends here.

[@Mizamook]

Oh horrors! Decades of "doing it wrong" to undo. Honestly don't know if I have the fortitude. - The Bicyclist

[@stefanhansen5882]

This was the best video about right hand technique I have seen so far. Thanks!

[@jeffatay2010]

Thanks for a great tutorial

[@Krachuken]

Superb teacher with great explanation

[@henrypagan6657]

Thank you I’m 55 started playing 2021 thanks for the video

[@GuitSiva]

Hi Mathew..Hope all is well.. Thanks for the i,m scissors action video and this classical guitar lesson as well.. Makes a whole lotta difference dude.. Appreciate your video focus in do's and don'ts angles, and an efficient angle of holding the guitar, makes a practical clarification.. Warm cheers.. Please keep up the job..God bless..siva..gtr.. India..(Guitsiva)..👍😊🎶🎸

[@quicheiayap]

excellent intro for a beginner! i just started playing and i'm happy i found this early on

[@Lems0]

I Finally feel I can get a good grip and positioning plucking the strings. I really appreciate you sharing this! :)

[@ClassicalGuitarShed]

+Lems0 That's great! Thanks for the note. Cheers, Allen

[@annanikia7949]

Thank you, wonderful!

[@TonyYikes]

You're a great teacher!! Best I've seen in my classical journey.. I'm subscribed.. I appreciate the info shared

[@AllenMathews11]

Tony Y!kes Hey Thanks, Tony! Best of luck in all your endeavors! Cheers, Allen

[@paulwally9007]

This is absolutely phenomenal. Thank you.

[@fannyingabout]

Thanks for this great video. Very clear and detailed information.

[@Gabriel-er8pp]

Pure gold. Thank you.

[@stephaniemullany5059]

Very helpful lesson. Well explained, with effective teaching style.

[@jodyguilbeaux8225]

fantastic information.................thanks

[@jspic4907]

Really useful video and explanation, thanks!

[@MrCooperAnthony]

Amazing rare quality accurate instructions. Naturally i have a tendency to move toward exactly these things, for about fifty years, as bad playing habits hurt like hell, and good ones are hard enough without adding unnecessary pain, learning 'the hard way', (cheating with plectrums in fists, lol: terribly unprofessional if your name isn't Reinhardt, Garcia, Grisman, Benson, or Dr Watson.) and there are plenty of examples. Thank you, that was extraordinary and refreshing. Guitar is one of those impossible to ignore hard challenging baffling physical therapy exercises in my life.Tai chi held the same mystery for almost as long, until i traced all the 'bad habits' in the bones. Tai chi got my undivided attention for about 40 years when a posture called 'play the lute' was so hard and painful, even without a guitar. Grizzly gnarling bone and tendon changing. That's why we amateurs have to practice alone a lot. its too painful... always feels good when we get it right though. Muse medicine. Thanks again. RESPECT! .

[@BobCorraro]

Great lesson! Thank you a lot

[@goldiaagot6865]

this really helped me thank you teacher

[@alex-sd]

Excellent lesson and very glad to learn this before developing bad habits.

[@karenkirwan1280]

Great lesson. Appreciated!

[@jamesfriedman1878]

Allen thanks for a nice detailed look at i m alternation together with your scissors video which complements this nicely. Looking forward to trying this out. Cheers!

[@ClassicalGuitarShed]

***** Thanks James! You're right: the scissors exercise works this same idea! kzbin.info/www/bejne/mXvdgHx3aZJsfqM Cheers, Allen

[@dceuro399]

Great lesson!

[@pevi2007]

I love your videos man, keep em coming

[@darrenjharris9907]

Great video and explanation, thanks very much.

[@wlovett4]

Great teaching, Allen. My problem is touching the adjacent string with the nail while preparing for the next strike of the string. On the backswing as it were. Any advice of just concentrate more during the preparation. Your teachings generate a lot of enthusiasm. Kudos and thanks.

[@ivanwp1]

Great video :D greetings from méxico.

[@AllenMathews11]

Hola! Muchas Gracias!

[@pickerdad8402]

I noticed that you can HEAR when you're exchanging fingers correctly - i.e.pulling one finger in causes the other to go out at the same time. When you do it correctly each note is immediately muted by the next finger resting on the string ("loading the string"). If your notes continue ringing, you're not doing it the way Allen teaches.

[@VizagVlogs]

Very informative Thank u

[@plunderclat221]

I can't do that because as my fingers close in to the palm, they bend in towards each other creating a lot of pressure and friction between each finger :( they are perfectly straight, it must be the knuckle joint. They guide the fingers in to each other.

[@TheBuccy]

Thank you.

[@analogjazzprojectmike3386]

Great lesson man, Can you put a video of you putting it together with scales working both hands? Like a basic scale, I would like to see how you transition from string to string. Thanks :)

[@ClassicalGuitarShed]

analogjazz project Hey there, Here you go: kzbin.info/www/bejne/p4jPf5l9rZqAhpo

[@vrogger]

thanks so much! great video

[@vrogger]

oh and btw 'weiiirrrrdddd'

[@mojooftheg5961]

I only have 9 nails. My RH index fingernail was torn off in an accident. Plus I'm right handed. But I have been able to play some of the more familiar classical pieces.

[@cbgregoire9]

Great teaching, very helpful.

[@tracylaven7020]

really enjoy the lesson. excellent

[@ClassicalGuitarShed]

Thanks Tracy!

[@SH-yeye]

Thank you!!!

[@shhas4849]

thanks alot ......... that's really helpful. .... love and gratitude all the way from syria . keep it up

[@ClassicalGuitarShed]

+Shaaban Hason Thanks Shaaban! Love and Gratitude back to you from Portland Oregon (West coast US)! Cheers, Allen

[@Keviamaya]

Thank you so much, the bycicle thing is really hard to overcome after a year of training in a no proper form :(

[@ClassicalGuitarShed]

Kevin Amaya Yes, it is. You have to go slowly and keep a close eye on it. It's easier to keep good form than it is to ingrain it. Cheers, Allen

[@Lutemann]

Kevin, if you watch any virtuoso play free stroke, you will see him make a bicycling motion. This happens naturally if you use what is known as a natural release.

[@konradperfekt6372]

I wonder that, if anything changes in tremolo? Bcz i do it in short bicycle style

[@Sharvyg]

helped me improve a lot! :) thank you

[@georgenico8257]

is there any examples of acoustic style players who finger pick diagonally and prefer a more upright guitar.? Thanks!

[@EricSkyeMusic]

Great stuff!

[@AllenMathews11]

Thanks Eric! Great to hear from you.

Excelente teaching

[@ClassicalGuitarShed]

+Três Amigos - O aluno o professor e a música Muchas Gracias!

[@mojooftheg5961]

Could you make a video regarding hand/finger injuries from practicing incorrectly?

[@hamzabenkhoud933]

when i try the exercise like you demonstrated in the first part of the video (the exercise without guitar ) after bringing my index out of the closed position, it doesn't return in its initial position but a little bit on top of the middle finger which affects my middle finger movement so i can't bring my middle finger out without messing up the index position , also when i close my hand , the middle knuckles of my fingers are not completely aligned , is it a matter of time or i should practice without guitar until there is some space between my fingers so they don't end up of top of each other ? and btw thank you so much for all your efforts, you helped me so much in getting better .

[@Idengard]

Dear Allen! My m is much longer than my i, more than what seems usual. My a is a full nail length longer than my i, and my m is a full nail length longer than my a. Thus, in order for my m to pass clear of the string, there is still some bicycling or hand movement (away from and again towards the guitar top) necessary. But when I turn my hand slightly inwards (so that my thumb joint points slightly towards me), all my fingers can touch the string at the same point of their tips. But then the hand position seems kinda weird or unorthodox. Any thoughts? Thanks a lot! Edit: I think I will stick to doing that. The sound is suddenly better, everything comes easier and more accurately, and it feels like I am on another level all of a sudden. Hopefully I won’t hit a wall at some point 😊 (your lesson still helped a lot though)

[@banjercat]

this is good, can you explain how to do dyads without hitting adjacent strings? thank you!

[@hamad1979]

I wish I can get rid of arpeggio tension.

[@tal_175]

Confusing part is he says use only the first joint. But later on when he demonstrates, he moves only the second joint. First joint stays still. Eg. at 4:21.

[@tal_175]

Clarification, by first joint I mean the knuckle joint.

[@ClassicalGuitarShed]

Hi Atalay, sorry for the delay, just behind on comments. The movement comes from the big knuckle. The middle joint does have a larger path through space, but it is driven by the big knuckle. It may look like the middle joint is doing more work, but it's actually the big knuckle that's pushing the finger in. I hope that answers your question. All the best, Allen

[@tal_175]

Thanks Allen. I actually noticed now, you already mention this in the video. I must have missed it the first time. Thanks for your response.

[@saidivya2622]

My fingers are touching other strings and making a buzz as I move up and down. What am I supposed to do? Thanks in advance 😊

[@clydewmorgan]

what is the sound of one hand clapping? HA! great vids

[@jamesmoline4411]

Super helpful lesson Allen! Who cut the two holes in your Ramirez? I have been to their shop in Madrid. You must like how it changes the sound?!! Thanks again for your generous instructions! I am learning a lot.

[@jonreeck8042]

It would be great to see you play these techniques at speed.

[@ClassicalGuitarShed]

Here you go: kzbin.info/www/bejne/sHq3hGOuipyjh7s

[@oneeyemonster3262]

I play flying Vs for reasons...man. It forces me to use to foot stool.lmao I have to play it in proper classical guitar position. Which actually corrected a lot of my playing or technique. It's actually more comfortable. I had learn the hard way though...damaged my fretboard hand. It sucks when your fingers goes numb.lol

[@ClassicalGuitarShed]

kim young Yep, it's hard to play with numb fingers! I am glad you've found something that works for you. ~Allen

[@mohammadsabetghadam43]

Very informative video. In your opinion, is it ok to keep the tip joint of your right hand fingers loose? it seems to be working very well for me except for arpeggios. in arpeggios it gets hard to speed up.

[@coolinva]

Is the skill applied to tremolo exercise?

[@roygertel]

Hi ! I saw many famous players that not exactly use this kind of right hand picking & even sometimes do it "wrong", as you suggested. What do you think ? Thanks for the info anyway !

[@lokabrunn6867]

My fingers overlap abit and get stuck in each other when I alternate. Is that normal or? Should I just push through?

[@joelpenazzo7248]

Hi Allan. I ve got an (important) question Do you play every finger at the left corner.. (even pinky).. I mean the left side of your nails Excuse my language mistakes I m French Your channel is gold

[@ClassicalGuitarShed]

Hi there, My name is Zak and I work with Allen. If you have specific questions, please contact us at [e-mail]

[@animamusicale3721]

Hi Allen I have a question regarding the RH thumb: my teacher told me to let it rest on the sixth string while doing the I/M alternation, thus “reaching” for the strings. Now I tried your method and it feels much more “right” but it slows me down a lot. Would you recommend even for a beginner to move the whole hand across the strings? If yes, only for scales or also when playing melodies? Thanks a lot, you are an amazing teacher, I am so glad I found your incredibly precious teachings!

[@crazyb87]

And how am I supposed to reduce the movement later when the tempo requires me to minimize the movement? I mean...with that "anchor" point and stroke in the palm I could play quite fast. However when I want to move more economically I fail to preserve that ease.

[@ClassicalGuitarShed]

Hi crazy-b, thanks for the question. You'll naturally make more economical movements as you speed up. If you train yourself to move (or initiate movement) from the big knuckle, and follow through, you'll maintain ease speeding up, while also making smaller movements. My prescription: don't try to make smaller movements. Try to make bigger movements, keeping true to the form. The freedom and appropriate tension this brings about will be more economical than small, tight movements would be. I hope that makes sense. It's a little counter-intuitive, but dancers and martial artists use the same concept.

[@crazyb87]

@@ClassicalGuitarShed It's already paying off. My "dystonia" was nothing else than sloppy technique. Problem is I have the same issue by the left hand. After a few thousands of repetitions 0 1 0 2 0 3 0 4 it's almost smooth now but at the 9th fret. I tried to move the pattern down to 1st position and I'm back to square one. I guess my hand is not wide enough to cover the first 4 frets with the 4 fingers. To play F and G I must use 1 and 4. How on earth can you play in the first position without contraction or even without extension? Your hand doesn't seem considerably wider than mine...

[@georgweiss5700]

Great advice......will work on it. Is it the same when using finger picks ? as I use one thumb and two fingers. Or should I chuck the picks.

[@ClassicalGuitarShed]

+Georg Weiss Hi Georg, Whatever floats your boat. I will say that regular thumbpicks force your wrist down, which means that your fingers are likely to "bicycle". This thins out the tone and is more wear and tear on the hands (and limits speed. It's a classical guitar no-no.) Alaska picks are a different story. If you haven't tried them, I would check them out (if you're attached to the picks or play steel string). Cheers, Allen

[@chuckhough]

My Travis style is solid. But for too many years I've used a pick for scale work. How the hell do you get the "i m" alteration so fast?! Any books or more comprehensive techniques to recommend?

[@ash6415]

I watched a Pepe Romero videos where he does the exact bicycling movement that Alan mentions not doing here. How would someone know whose advice to follow?

[@phanhuyduc2395]

Try it for yourself. Pepe Romero is a great master should ofc his advice carries more weight

[@ronytesler]

Why not letting the finger come back out before the other one is ready? (time - 9:00)

[@ClassicalGuitarShed]

+Rony Tesler Hi Rony, sorry for the delay. I missed it. It doesn't matter if you're playing slowly, but as you get up to faster tempos, the extra/early movement turns into sloppiness. It's a habit that will happen whether you mean for it to or not. If you're playing a technical piece, it's best to be able to control your hands. This sort of finger-straying reduces your ability to think and plan ahead. Besides, if it's slightly difficult, it's good to do anyway just to gain better control and intentionality in your hands. I hope that clears it up a little. Cheers, Allen

[@Bolthazard101]

+Classical Guitar Shed thank you so much for taking the time to reply. Much appreciated and I've hit the subscribe button

[@AllenMathews11]

+Bolthazard101 Thanks Bolthazard101! My pleasure.

[@GuitarraCuantica369]

should you play high speed with that technique?

[@prcastro]

It would be better to demonstrate the correct usage completely by playing a part of any song. Then break it down step by step.

[@sexology]

Hi, again, excellent video and channel, big fan here. Question, whenever I do a free stroke the bottom joint of the finger (the nearest one to the fingertip) bends towards the palm of the hand. It's not completely wrong, it's useful when playing soft and slow passages. But when playing something faster and louder, the concept is that the bottom joint of the right hand fingers should not bend. I think it's hipermobility. My doctor says my body is very flexible, somehow similar to a gymnast. He also states that mostly, the index finger of the right hand is the most flexible one. I don't know if any of your students had this problem, and/or if you know how to solve this. I'm currently finishing my Major in classical guitar, met a lot of teachers, none of them could solve it completely, they suggested me using techniques such as planting, speed bursts, anticipations (or quick-preps as you call them), etc... which I routinary do a lot. Although it enhanced my precision, the bending-joint issue of the right hand persists. I also tried using tape as another teacher suggested for two months, but no luck. Again, the problem is one I'm performing a free stroke, not a rest stroke, I have no interest in the second technique as I rarely use it. Well, I'm kind of in an inner crisis now, sorry for the long message.

[@analogjazzprojectmike3386]

Thanks, that was cool in slo-mo. Can I ask another question? My A finger is weak, so I've been running my scales using both I/A and M/A, its slower and way weaker but I think it's helping. Is that helpful?

[@ClassicalGuitarShed]

analogjazz project My pleasure! Absolutely those are good practice. Also rasqueados are good for it as well: www.classicalguitarshed.com/rasqueados/

[@ruimsmadeiraify]

Hi there ! Great teaching! can I ask you if those two holes 🕳 on the top of the guitar body are for better instrument earring?

[@milanradulovic3915]

I noticed that. I would not touch my guitar and is not expensive at all. Simply It would feel like hurting it 😑

[@mdritch]

Hey Allen, This question may seem out of context, but I play a little jazz these days and I have ditched the pick in favor of grabbing the 7 chords with my fingers PIMA. I think this I and M Alternation method will work for me to play bebop lines, etc. when not comping don't you think? Michael

[@ClassicalGuitarShed]

Hey there, Absolutely! You could also use a thumbpick and pick the lines/PIMA the chords (if classical guitar technique is not your goal and you just want the ability to chunk chords. Cheers, Allen