CLASSICAL GUITAR LEFT HAND PRINCIPLES

For private lessons with David Galvez (in-person or online) and more content visit :
davidgalvez.com
All levels are welcome.
Here I share a personal view and a summary of my exploration on the role of the left hand in classical guitar performance. Within, I delve into the complexities of the alliance between the hand's anatomy and the guitar's design aiming to achieve an artistic goal.
Please help support many future self-produced projects like this one by donating at:
www.paypal.com/paypalme/david...

[@davidrobinson7260]

Bro casually dropped the most comprehensive video on the left hand and thought we wouldn’t notice

[@ChandlerDillingham]

EXACTLY!!!

[@EdwardPletz]

I had to rewind several times because I was just allowing myself to be dazzled by the animations and detail.

[@javay03]

goated fr fr

[@majin1395]

download this video before it gets taken down, this is basically what advanced classical guitar instructors are paid to teach

[@RichLove7]

Broooo ☠️☠️☠️☠️

[@mrfurcorn9056]

As a pre-medical student and a guitarist, it is very fun to see these two paths cross.

[@Chentesanta]

Everything is connected :)

[@backbeatmusicacademy8078]

That's a link to Anatomy of Guitar Playing book

[@DaveLivesInACave]

The medical field is an art form that saves lives and so is music!

[@StevenBornfeld]

My gross anatomy was over 50 years ago and parts of this brought on a cold sweat.

[@drspody]

Physio here and guitarist, I agree! It's always interesting and fun!

[@hypnoticGrill]

This Video should be a mandatory watch for all guitarists

[@enealiviu4797]

Not just for guitarists but for violinists also. I had no idea that the 3rd finger is the ideal anchor finger for stretches.

[@mrfurcorn9056]

@@enealiviu4797 learning more about the human body, if you know what to look at, can improve so many things in the field of music.

[@johnlamb7309]

@@enealiviu4797 Great quality on his vid, and I quite like a number of his illustrations, but this video is about 80% accurate. He deleted one comment of mind about a GIANT mistake in it (the you don't need to - and in fact shouldn't - push the string all the way to the fretboard), and there are at least a few others. Dude is going to have trouble playing in 10 years, if he isn't already. You absolutely, positively, 100% do not want to keep the arm still while moving only fingers, even for counterpoint. The arm move should support every note, every time. Not only will it be easier, your speed will increase. If playing counterpoint, the movement will be small, but still quite important.

[@dadavidvid]

Thanks, 80% correct is not bad. Do you play classical guitar? Have you played Bach? If fingers move simultaneously in opposite directions, how can the arm move with them? The arm should move the hand to the average center of the range of a passage or to switch from oblique to parallel, or to switch positions but not to follow each note. All that is for another video. The amount of pressure towards the fretboard’s normal is monitored by the ears according to the quality of sound. The string pressure over the finger is so much more significant that whether we touch or not the fretboard is irrelevant to think about. I’ve played solo more than 4 hour long gigs, not one single muscle hurts. Are you flexing your MCP's? If so, you may be locking your finger's ability to stretch. Trust your finger’s potential and promote their independence!

[@arseniyonline1234555]

Only it wouldn't be very useful. Like a solid 40 minute practice would be more useful. The sharp angle of 1st finger hitting the 1st string from the top is also just wrong.

[@veikkajoensuu]

This is actually one of the highest quality KZbin videos I have ever watched.

[@dadavidvid]

So nice of you to say so!

[@ericperry1861]

This is of the quality I'd expect from some major network documentary channel like the old Discovery and TLC shows in the 90s. The clarity, thorougness, engagement, and applicability are all best in class.

[@dadavidvid]

So kind of you to say so. Thank you for such an inspiring comment.

[@nekemli2622]

​@@dadavidvidwe need the right hand version as well

[@DrFeelgood552]

I'd also love it if you moved into explaining specifics of other genres and electric guitar/bass stuff as well.

[@mrtv5265]

Indeed, this man is very hardworking❤

[@AshishSharma-rv8mz]

Your comment is kind to the creator and savage to old legacy research channels. Spot on both.

[@alchemist1111]

This is the best analysis and demonstration of the left hand technique I’ve seen.

[@dadavidvid]

So glad you think so, thank you 🙏

[@hypnoticGrill]

Yes absolutely. this is very thorough and void of myths. Thank you very much Mr Galvez ;)! And greetings from Frankonia Germany

[@neilmurphy7594]

I've been playing guitar for almost 30 years. I watched this video a few days ago, completely cleaned up my left hand mechanics, and have made more progress in the last few days than I have in decades. Thank you.

[@dadavidvid]

Yours is such an inspiring testimony. Thank you so much for sharing. Please consider subscribing and supporting further projects.

[@FoundMyBrave]

Same here. I've been playing for 20 years (half of that has been performing for a living) but never had an official lesson clarifying proper techniques. I had to figure it out intuitively. This video is helping me immensely. ❤

[@amirhosseinsheikholeslam7581]

This is what happens when you love you job. This is the soul of humanity

[@dadavidvid]

Exactly my friend, very well said. More coming up very soon!

[@BsktImp]

Just think, it would have been the easy route to use a live model throughout, but this content creator has invested time, effort and money to create all these animations.

[@dadavidvid]

Images communicate so well, so glad the ideas seem to be coming through. More coming up very soon!!

[@BacatauMania]

Soon to be classical video with millions of views recommended throughout thousands of musical schools around the world

[@dadavidvid]

That would be wonderful, thank you for the good wishes!

[@jimmywhitegomezramos476]

Today is my birthday and I consider this video as a gift of those that please you a lot :)

[@ModernNuke]

Awesome profile picture my man. Happy late bday

[@PipLange]

Literally started learning classical today after years as a “campfire” guitarist. I feel like this is going to help break so many bad habits.

[@dadavidvid]

good luck on your journey, I believe the technical aspect is the biggest obstacle students face when they start.

[@bctl9]

As an engineer, this explanation satisfies my brain so much... you're amazing!!

[@johnlamb7309]

Far too simplistic. Look up tensegrity and biotensegrity. Also the normal force at the fretboard does absolutely nothing to pin the note to the fret - its the normal force at the fret that matters.

[@Bodom92]

I’ve been playing guitar for over 16 years now and this video has blown my mind. The animations are amazing and the details are spot on. I was surprised you even went over the anatomy of the hand mentioning the muscles with their inserts and origins, reminding me of my human anatomy class 12 years ago haha. I wish I could like the video more than once 👏

[@J3rs3y_G1rl]

I feel like life makes sense now. This video helped everything click. Thank you! ❤

[@dadavidvid]

@@J3rs3y_G1rl so glad to hear so! you made my day. More coming up soon!

[@orlandosanchez3605]

As a physician and guitar player this has been most illustrating and instructional, thank you very much!

[@dadavidvid]

Glad it was helpful! More coming up very soon!

[@mariejarreau7251]

I have not “sufficient” words to express my profound appreciation for this beautifully done INVALUABLE video! Now a subscriber - hungry for more!! A “self taught” amateur guitarist - I’ve been playing “at” guitar for many decades. I’ll be 75 years old next month and on my meager retirement budget I have not considered sending monetary support to any other YT videographers. BUT I am anxious to learn how may I send even a token amount of support for your very generous contribution to the world of guitarists?? I have learned so much here and will be sharing this video as well as watching it over and over for fuller comprehension. Thank you so much!💕

[@dadavidvid]

Thank you so much for your inspiring words my friend. Messages like yours have inspired and energized so much me to keep producing more videos and sharing what I have been so lucky to learn in the past decades. The next one is almost ready and should be up in August. All the best!! ❤️

[@carambafunciona]

OK, this is just phenomenal. I mean, for FREE? I'm in awe.

[@dadavidvid]

Thank you for watching, more coming up shortly!

[@pandraus]

this KZbin video deserves an Oscar. Most definitely one of the best videos I ever watched here.

[@dadavidvid]

Wow, thank you! Stay tuned for the second part in August!

[@yonimaman]

I've been playing guitar for 20 years, and this is THE BEST educational video I ever seen. Thank you for that great work!

[@dadavidvid]

Wow, you made my day, thanks so much for watching!!

[@yonimaman]

Looking forward for our lesson 🙏✌️

[@dadavidvid]

Looking forward to it too! See you on Monday!

[@hayesdabney]

After watching this I feel like Neo in the Matrix: "Give me more!" Well done, comprehensive und glasklar!

[@dadavidvid]

Haha, so glad you liked it! Thanks for watching

[@SIBIRIAKcom]

If this video won't grow at least 1m views it will be a confirmation that YT is crooked.

[@nicholasquiller1135]

*laughs in black dude

[@SIBIRIAKcom]

@@nicholasquiller1135 are you referring to a meme?

[@TheJoeScarafoneChannel]

KZbin is crooked.

[@davidmella1174]

@@TheJoeScarafoneChannel no no we're 25% of the way there. Fully in reach

[@CatDribble]

The fact this dude not only rhought this was important information to teach people, but also to get it fully animated too. That deserves some props

[@dadavidvid]

So glad you liked it. I’m hoping that the animations help the ideas land more smoothly. More coming up very soon 😉

[@kirtisozgur]

He could create an animation serie for toddlers in the same time he spent on this specific video... Gorgeous work. The parachute example was the everest... I've realized that I'm doing everything just like you've explained without knowing it.

[@dadavidvid]

Wow, thanks my friend, stay tuned, more coming up very soon 😊

[@jackwaterson7456]

I am literally going to be using this to teach early high school students. Likely forever. Thank you :)

[@sandersonstunes]

Blowing my mind right now.

[@francofazzolari7973]

Amazing job! I'm impressed by the ammount of dedication of this video, and amazed by the parts in which de transparent guitar frets and fingers play the actual background music, that looks to be hard to edit and recreate... Thanks for the detailed explanation and video editing done here!

[@Mossle33]

This is honestly a great video for any classical string musician (minus the frets)

[@jsguitargeek1432]

This is freaking BRILLIANT. Thank you David.

[@ThiagoAbdalla]

Congrats! All important technical elements exposed in the most clear way possible!

[@Noke703]

This is absolutely amazing. It blows my mind that information of this quality is freely accessible. Truly, this is comprehensive breakdown is a must-watch for ALL classical guitarists. Bravo.

[@everythingaerospace1837]

This is honestly very good. Nice to finally see an engineering/physics explanation of the classical guitar playing technique!

[@dadavidvid]

Glad you liked it! More coming up in August

[@alecpearsonmusic]

I'm totally impressed with all the effort that went into this. I wish you great success.

[@EdwardPletz]

The density of useful insight in this video is astounding.

[@oddballskull1941]

This went WAY deeper than just left handed principles

[@dadavidvid]

Glad you found it interesting!

[@charleshartlen3914]

this is without a doubt the best explanation and demonstration of left hand approach for classical guitar that ive ever seen. I know of at least 2 textbooks that are no where close to the value of this video for this discussion. amazingly well done, you have a gift for this type of content, sir!

[@GarySchiltz]

What an incredible explanation!

[@dadavidvid]

So glad you found it interesting , all the best!

[@sudarshandas4270]

Bro dropped the most sophisticated guitar video and dipped

[@dadavidvid]

Glad you liked it bro!

[@FatRoofer]

This video will be in my forever list. Thank you for making me better

[@josephjones4351]

Wow! Classical guitar tutorial meets Grey’s Anatomy! Very cool. I’ve understood so much in this video than in many years of trying to understand the techniques on my own. Thanks so much

[@dadavidvid]

Wohoo, so glad to hear this. I was hoping the ideas would come through. More coming up very soon

[@SketchesForHumanity]

My goodness. The 3d and 2d graphics must have taken forever to do if you're working alone. Even for a 5 person team this would be a huge undertaking. 41 minutes, wow. I'm a professional 3d animator, and even thinking about how much something like this would cost if ordered commercially... A perfect example of why passion projects like this are so important for humanity. This KZbin at it's finest! Thank you.

[@garyyee9185]

This was incredibly detailed and thorough. Looking forward to the next installment. I’ve forwarded it to my teacher. Keep up the fantastic work. Many thanks.

[@Awzumdoode]

Sending this to all my friends/students, this is SUCH a well made video it’s insane. Great job and thank you for sharing! 👍

[@sachin28441]

Amazing explaination. As a beginner guitarist, this was invaluable . Profound thanks to making this. ❤

[@tomasztyczynski6881]

Highest respect to you Sir for dropping this jewel.

[@dadavidvid]

Thank you for watching my friend. More coming up in August! 😉

[@DevRajyaguru-lx8pi]

My engineering curiosity in leaning the guitar brought me here and well.....I am more than impressed...This is THE BEST VIDEO EVER ON MICRO DETAILS OF LEARNING A GUITAR

[@bowenflob8036]

The quality of this video is insane 😮

[@dadavidvid]

@@bowenflob8036 Glad you liked it 👍 more coming up very soon

[@NMGH]

Thank you very, very much for this explanation! There is so much to take in that I will have to watch it many times! I hope that many guitarists watch this video!

[@dadavidvid]

Glad it was helpful! More coming up soon!

[@CptFrito]

As many other commenters I cannot commend you enough for the quality of both content and presentation of this video, thank you. This should be where any decent guitar course starts, without understimating the capacity to understand of the student and the importance of good technique for their health and enjoyment of making music. Again, thank you.

[@AlistairDsilva]

Wow...how this all makes sense to me now...to the basics. As a beginner guitar player, now I understand why music theory becomes so important if you really want to play music by ear..this is such a great tutorial..thank you

[@saveriocampana4611]

The best video I have ever seen delves deeply into the concept, making it very easy to understand. I will definitely use this video with my students and friends. I look forward to seeing the video about the right hand. 😊

[@Gapoyando]

This is fantastic David. Not only an incredibly useful set of clear explanations but also totally mesmerising! Thank you for taking what must have been a considerable time to put this together 👏

[@dadavidvid]

Glad you enjoyed it! It took sometime but really enjoyed the process. More coming up in August 😉

[@NovaRedBaron]

Absolutely brilliant!!!

[@rabindradahal7418]

Yes, agree 👍. Mind blowing indeed ! Gem among the Gems , I would say. As we know there are plethora of Guitar related You Tube videos but this one is out of the box. For me this video is made by the combination of an Orthopaedic Doctor, a Physiotherapist, a Sound Engineer, a professional Video Grapher, and a Graphic Designer ; and yes all of them are good Guitarist. ❤😍🎉🙏👍💐👑😊❤️. Love, Respect, Hugs and Greetings from Kathmandu, Nepal 🇳🇵 🙏 ❤️ 👍. Perhaps you don't know what an incredible tutorial is this! and how you have saved thousands of aspiring guitarists so that they could achieve near perfection since initial phase of guitar learning curve. Bow to you, Sir!

[@mariejarreau7251]

@@rabindradahal7418 My sentiments exactly!!!!

[@rabindradahal7418]

@@mariejarreau7251 ❤️🙏❤️.

[@marcarturi2137]

Holy smokes! That was 2 minutes of awe and chills running up and down my spine! Thank you!

[@dadavidvid]

Glad you enjoyed it, you are so welcomed!

[@msfmusic]

It's so helpful to understand the left hand movement, thank you so so so much for making such amazing video! I can not wait to see the next video of the right hand!

[@oceanjaws]

I am totally needing out on this. Love it. I can't see my students digging it, but it is honey to me.

[@dadavidvid]

It's comments like yours that inspire me to work on the next videos. Stay tuned for the Right Hand Principles coming up in August.

[@ZOOC-iz1fq]

Damm ,this is some top class sh*t.Keep it up brother.The animation is amazing

[@scrandy7669]

Genuinely the best produced video I have ever watched, direct information too👏

[@dadavidvid]

Wow, thanks!

[@zensational.]

Incredible quality, great work!

[@Claudio.forte.t]

Thank you David. This video is incredible!

[@dadavidvid]

My pleasure! more coming up very soon!

[@cyrilmoussoki3193]

Thank you for sharing

[@martynspooner5822]

Thanks for the time and effort you have put into this awesome video. Please know your work is truly appreciated.

[@dadavidvid]

I appreciate that!

[@samhodge7460]

Phenomenal! This is the kind of learning material I could only dream of. You answered so many questions I've often wondered about, and you did it to such a wonderfully technical degree. This should be required viewing for all guitarists.

[@dadavidvid]

Glad to share what I've been lucky to learn and figure out through the years

[@richardnixon5068]

Holy Moly!! You are a mad guitar scientist. Thanks so much

[@dadavidvid]

Wow, thanks! more madness coming up soon!

[@lukel2359]

Excellent video! Thank you David.

[@dadavidvid]

My pleasure, more coming up in August

[@theguitarnoobph]

A must-watch video for all guitar players. Classical or non-classical. Thank you so much for all the work put into this video.

[@dadavidvid]

My pleasure!

[@ghs2798]

One of the best lessons i ever watched. Pure art and technique.

[@dadavidvid]

So glad you liked it! Please consider subscribing and supporting further projects.

[@darkbloomvivian1087]

i cant decide if this is a (world class) lecture or a (world class) piece of art -- (why not both!)

[@dadavidvid]

Wow, thank you for saying so. More coming up very soon!

[@zeropointfool]

Excellent video, very thorough and creative/engaging visualizations.

[@dadavidvid]

Glad you liked it!

[@mauricemori]

Bravo, the production quality is amazing and the entire video is so coherent! I've never seen anyone who's able to demonstrate everything so clearly 👏

[@chris.d.Guitar]

Very serious job! Congratulations! Looking forward to the next episodes

[@IronHideWildfire]

This is such a great video!

[@dadavidvid]

Glad you think so! More coming up very soon

[@adamkhalil5524]

A guitar video that actually understands kinesiology, woohoo! All other videos seem like they just googled everything before filming and end up getting so much wrong. You've done the guitar community well

[@jaramyra]

Absolutely brilliant. Watching this video is an intellectual pleasure. ❤️

[@saimeghasyam3322]

This is Visual Gold. I can't express how I felt in my mind always trying to cook a video with visuals like this...GOLD ! OMYFKINGGOD!

[@dadavidvid]

So glad to hear! More coming up very soon!

[@dnt7593]

Right hand ! Great bravo 👏👏👏

[@dadavidvid]

Thank you! Right hand coming up in August

[@aleksejulcnik5896]

What a fantastic lesson and demonstration. I wonder how you recorded fingers through transparent fretboard. Stunning! Best left hand principles I’ve ever seen. (OK, right hand since I’m left handed. 😀)

[@dadavidvid]

Had all these ideas and images in my head. Took me some time to figure out how to materialize them and I'm so glad to see them coming through to all of you. More coming up very soon!

[@BluegumCounterpoint]

The new definitive guide. Thank you.

[@TylerLL2112]

This deserves to be the most watched video on the topic of guitar. Fantastic presentation. Thank you!

[@dadavidvid]

Wow, thanks! that's really inspiring!

[@osamucabral]

Amazing graphics! ❤

[@dadavidvid]

Thanks for the visit More coming up soon

[@chewyburrito858]

Beautiful

[@dadavidvid]

😊

[@Bruce.lee.123]

Pure gold. Thank you so much. A right hand video would be phenomenal. Keep up the good work! Thank you!

[@evennorthug2585]

Highly impressed. A deep and thorough discussion on guitar technique. Awesome graphics and animations. The structures lend themselves to a data model that could also be applied to keyboard playing and fingering.

[@dadavidvid]

@@evennorthug2585 glad you liked it! Interesting idea that of a data model!

[@johnnyxmusic]

Yes, but how do you play an F chord? 😂😂😂

[@StuartKnox]

easy, we don’t

[@anthonydreemmusic]

With longer fingers

[@JaimeLandini]

:v

[@Tracenator100]

This guy isn't teaching guitar music theory. He's teaching guitar music law.

[@dadavidvid]

😂 make sure not to break the guitar laws!

[@reasonsreasonably]

​@@dadavidvidGuitar laws are meant to be broken! 😉

[@matteoiarlori]

This video is AMAZING!!!

[@sabaca304]

This video is amazing, a must watch for any beginner(or player in general)

[@dadavidvid]

Thanks for saying so! Please support future projects by subscribing.

[@philliphowells1875]

There is a mistake at 3:13. the string should not touch the fretboard, if you do that the intonation is effected, as you are stretching it, (vibrato technique). The finger should be placed upon the fret itself, scalloping can help improve playability, tone and dexterity string bending with vibrato for instance. Again at 5:56 the thumb should hardly touch the neck and in some circumstances where sustain is indicated not at all. The neck should be pulled with the arm toward the body with your abdomen/chest as a fulcrum to your forearm upon the lower bout.

[@dadavidvid]

Thanks for you comments and sharing your knowledge. It's hard to cover every small detail in this long overview. I hardly mention the thumb. I prefer to emphasize the abduction of the fingers and horizontal stretching at the beginner stages. That alone can require more effort and attention than saving energy when pressing on the string.

[@arifturgan]

😲😲😲What a video! Vaaoww

[@dadavidvid]

Thanks for watching!

[@joshuagodinez5867]

I have a short list of videos I've bookmarked to help learn guitar. Saved. So much about guitar advice is more understandable now that I've watched this. And the animation was incredible.

[@dadavidvid]

I’m flattered! Please consider subscribing to support future projects 😉

[@antoinemiot4176]

This video is amongst the best I've ever seen on KZbin, and by far the best concerning classical guitar technique. The scientific approach lets us understand so much better what teachers sometimes say (you should move your fingers like this, but I can't explain why- now we know it's often a matter of angle, and how the joints work together). After playing for more than 20 years, these explanations enlighten me differently- I guess I will have a much more thorough approach now, and I'll be able to overcome some technical challenges I've never been able to face. Thus, David, a very big thanks for the quality of this content, and the wonderful 3D explanations. Now, a video of this quality about the right hand technique would be soooooo much welcome!! :-)

[@dadavidvid]

So glad to learn that you found this useful! Thank you for letting us know. Please support future projects by subscribing. All the best!

[@freezedriedicecream]

Hell yeah that skeleton is playing a guitar

[@dadavidvid]

haha you better believe it!

[@SIBIRIAKcom]

I've been thinking myself to make something like that for my students. Thank you for saving my time.

[@lared112]

This is the most incredible breakdown of physiology and guitar and music. I love the visual aids, they feels really current and really successful at transmitting information. Awesome work!!

[@dadavidvid]

So glad you think so! Thank you. Please support future projects by subscribing.

[@user-qk7gd4xd2v]

Extremely awesome work! It`s so clear and orderly. Thank you so much!

[@dadavidvid]

You're very welcome! Please consider subscribing to support future projects 😉

[@MrVertical267]

WOW please make more videos like this... absolutely incredible. I can't imagine how long this took to make!

[@dadavidvid]

More to come!

[@Naim-is-being]

Thanks for you work, having free ressource like that is what internet is made for. big love to you

[@dadavidvid]

My pleasure!

[@Klemes67]

Fantastic visuals, they make comprehension of all the mechanics so easy ! The "back view" with the transparent fretboard is very original and could be a great tool to learn music pieces, especially with the colored dots on fretted notes. Great job👌

[@helohnukwa]

Okay, this video was very unexpected! Such a high qualtity! And I'm sure I will rewatch the video many times while trying to put the knowledge into practice! Thanks a lot!

[@dadavidvid]

Glad you enjoyed it! There’s a lot of information worth a few watches. All the best!

[@mauropasserino9007]

The video I was dreaming to see. Life's wonderful