Get the FREE Companion Guide here: www.riffsandrhythm.com/grow. I’d love to hear which finger combinations you find most challenging and, after practicing this for just 7 days, how much progress you’ve made!
Thanks for the comment Mark! Yes I did plenty of research and found this to be my unique take. Good luck with the exercises and let me know how you get on in the comments after!
This series of exercises is just what I need. I've just picked up the guitar again after nearly 38 years and have problems with both my hands, so this is perfect. Thanks so much for this.
Im actually going to start using this right away. As a beginner, one of my biggest issues is fast chord switching, so this will definitely help thanks for the tutorial.
I’m so thankful for this! It’s just what I needed! I’ve seen spider walks as an exercise and I’ve been doing them but adding these to that exercise really is the total package. I just printed the printable. Thank you so much!!!
Hey Alyssa, thanks for reaching out. I'm so glad this will help you out. Spider exercises are great but like you say this takes it up a level or two. Good luck and keep me posted on how you get on.
@@RiffsRhythmI have a long way to go but I’ve definitely progressed! This exercise is so perfect! My first 5 days of changes I was able to make in a minute each Day 1- Jan 9 Part 1- 106 Part 2- 37 Part 3- 19 Part 4- 60 Part 5- 16 Part 6- 44 Day 2- Jan 10 Part 1- 108 Part 2- 38 Part 3- 30 Part 4- 65 Part 5- 19 Part 6- 49 Day 3- Jan 11 Part 1- 124 Part 2- 80 Part 3- 47 Part 4- 66 Part 5- 43 Part 6- 55 Day 4- Jan 12 Part 1- 128 Part 2- 75 Part 3- 64 Part 4- 105 Part 5- 58 Part 6- 66 Day 5- Jan 13 Part 1- 133 Part 2- 101 Part 3- 88 Part 4- 110 Part 5- 62 Part 6- 71
I picked up similar advice in the form of "finger independence exercises" like doing chromatic runs but forcing yourself to only move a finger when it needs to move. I can attest that this method works. Thank you!
I work out a lot using a hand grip strengthener, and not only does it help build arm muscle and harden it, it also really helps with building strength in your fingers(edit: and wrists). This makes it significantly easier (and more effortless) to play guitar, especially chords and pinky related stuff. Would recommend it all beginners who want to learn string instruments.
@@RiffsRhythm It's really does wonders. Of course, like any strengthening exercise, it is important to start with a smaller weight and gradually work your way up, else you risk injury
After 1-2 and 1-3 my fingers got out of control and it is getting harder to do, but as you are given a routine to follow I will try my best to move all my fingers independently. Thanks sir for your lesson.😊
@@RiffsRhythm Thanks for this routine, Now I am able to move my fingers independently. And I got somewhat better at chord changing. Once again Thank you so much 😊
by hold down, do you mean press the fingers down so that the strings are able to be picked or relax your fingers and move the needed fingers, not the latter right?
By ‘hold down,’ I mean keeping the opposing fingers (the ones not meant to move) pressed firmly on the frets. Don’t let them lift off the string or fret. They may naturally want to move on their own, and you might notice this happening without trying. This is finger independence in action-we’re training your fingers to move independently of each other. Stick with it! If you use the exercises in the video consistently, these issues will improve over time. Good luck, and feel free to ask if you need me to explain anything further!
I actually learned a very basic version of this from my guitar teacher, but over the years, I’ve developed and refined it through my own playing and teaching. It’s interesting how something simple can evolve into something unique over time!
I can move all my fingers not a problem been a piano player for many years and recently pick up the electric guitar. I can move all my fingers but the 1 and 4 swap i may never be able to do my hands are very small.
Sure! When you go through each combination (1-2, 1-3,1-4,) A different finger will be the 5th string. Whatever finger lands on the 5th string has to mute the low E string by using the tip of the finger. Does that make it clearer what to do?
Absolutely! But eventually build up to moving them at the same time. It's like your building up fingers for faster chord changes. Let me know how you get on?!
@ after 35 years of playing, I am pretty good with your exercise, but I come across new players who struggle with basic chord shapes, especially past first position. In fairness, your exercise did expose a clarity issue in one of the variations. Your video gave me a light bulb of something easy to build dexterity and clarity for new folks trying to learn chords. I will be sharing this technique with others.
One other bit of advice I received regarding these kinds of exercises. They're not fun, they're difficult and boring. Force yourself to do them for some set amount of time each time you get ready to play guitar. It's a good way to build the habit of actually practicing the hard stuff :)
Completely agree, that's why I point out in the vid that 5min is a great amount of time to see results. Habits are hugely important too. Thanks for sharing
ACCOUNTABILITY commenting to hold myself accountable! day 1 (part 1 practice) difficulty for me is basically in descending order of the tests, lol. Instructionsl determinism? exercise done. 1 minute each in speed and accuracy for every finger combo. Quite difficult! Even with the "easy" transitions, I found that my fingers would often extend past their intended string. 3-4 (test 6) is almost impossible for me. My third finger has almost no flexibility (news to me!!!). Will look into doing some stretches.
day 2 (part 2 practice) no real noticeable differences (obviously, lol) pinky is still not behaving (can barely hold down the damn strings) TEst 6 is still impossible. Started stretching yesterday. Let's see.
day 5 - going well. Seeing slight improvement. Test 6 (speed portion) still bring me the most trouble. The movement between strings is slightly staggered. (pinky arrives second, not simultaneous, on the transition). Will slow down and work on this
I can move my pinky finger, and my pinky finger alone 90 degrees to the rest of my hand with the rest of my fingers(and thumb) pointing straight up, same with ring finger. I is my middle finger that wants to pull the rest with it.
Complex beasts aren't they. With patience and doing this daily will definitely help. Please let me know how you get on after doing this for at least week daily. Good luck
@@RiffsRhythm This is definitely on my list. Ive come to the realization that before I do anything else I am going to finally memorize the fret board. I am learning theory on another channel (Mike George, I can not sing his praises enough on how he teaches theory) and that combined with where Im at with everything else I feel like that is the next thing I am going to focus on. Not that I can't spend a little time on each - and I probably will but it won't be my focus. I will however let you know and let you know how it came to be. This may come to full fruition without it being my main thing. Anyways I got this book marked and I plan to explore the rest of your channel. Thanks!
Cool exercise that ive not seen before and is something i could use as the worlds longest beginner 😜🤷🏼♂️🤦🏼♂️✌️….i did notice In the email with the diagrams it says 2nd and 3rd fingers twice where on one it shows 2nd and 4th finger …just a typo but you may want to fix it ..
Don't worry you are not alone! It's Human Nature for your fingers to do this however with time it will correct itself. Stick with it and you'll surprise yourself! Please give it at least a week of daily practice and let me know how you get on?! Good luck
All sorted! Thanks for letting me know The motive is to send the PDF. So yes I have to collect an email address so I know where to send it. To be honest i'm still trying to learn all this stuff. But would be great to know how and where that came up. Thank you
Right of the bat, I can't watch anymore. My ring finger and pinkie finger move together, there is no way to fix this. It's impossible. Anyone who thinks you can "train" yourself out of this is uneducated or ignorant. I don't mean to be rude, I wish this man the best, and I hope he's doing well and is happy, but I can't take advice to somebody who doesn't understand basic physiology.
This is a pretty advanced excercise for a beginner, try doing others before, i dont think youve seen how pro guitarists play, they are never held back by their fingers, its completely possible
How can someone be so sure of something and be so monumentally wrong at the same time? Ofc its possible haha. You need to give it alot more time then u seem to have done.
Get the FREE Companion Guide here: www.riffsandrhythm.com/grow. I’d love to hear which finger combinations you find most challenging and, after practicing this for just 7 days, how much progress you’ve made!
Never thought, I'd get lessons from Ed Sheeran himself😂
You want my autograph?
@@RiffsRhythmI know I do
First time I've seen any youtube guitarist show these exercises. Going to start this today! Thank you so much.
Thanks for the comment Mark! Yes I did plenty of research and found this to be my unique take. Good luck with the exercises and let me know how you get on in the comments after!
This series of exercises is just what I need. I've just picked up the guitar again after nearly 38 years and have problems with both my hands, so this is perfect. Thanks so much for this.
Glad this video has come at the right time. Please let me know how you get on
Gosh my pinky has a mind of it's own
the most misbehaved child!
FR
Pure Gold of a lesson!!!
Thank you so much for your kind words! I appreciate your support!
Im actually going to start using this right away.
As a beginner, one of my biggest issues is fast chord switching, so this will definitely help thanks for the tutorial.
Hello! Yes, this will definitely help you, and I’m excited to hear back from you about how it went. Let me know how you get on!
How has it changed 3 weeks later?
Wow this is the best exercise I've ever seen for left hand dexterity, thank you so much for putting this out there
Glad you liked it!
I’m so thankful for this! It’s just what I needed! I’ve seen spider walks as an exercise and I’ve been doing them but adding these to that exercise really is the total package. I just printed the printable. Thank you so much!!!
Hey Alyssa, thanks for reaching out. I'm so glad this will help you out. Spider exercises are great but like you say this takes it up a level or two. Good luck and keep me posted on how you get on.
@@RiffsRhythmI have a long way to go but I’ve definitely progressed! This exercise is so perfect!
My first 5 days of changes I was able to make in a minute each
Day 1- Jan 9
Part 1- 106
Part 2- 37
Part 3- 19
Part 4- 60
Part 5- 16
Part 6- 44
Day 2- Jan 10
Part 1- 108
Part 2- 38
Part 3- 30
Part 4- 65
Part 5- 19
Part 6- 49
Day 3- Jan 11
Part 1- 124
Part 2- 80
Part 3- 47
Part 4- 66
Part 5- 43
Part 6- 55
Day 4- Jan 12
Part 1- 128
Part 2- 75
Part 3- 64
Part 4- 105
Part 5- 58
Part 6- 66
Day 5- Jan 13
Part 1- 133
Part 2- 101
Part 3- 88
Part 4- 110
Part 5- 62
Part 6- 71
@@alyssa2410 This is amazing! keep up the great work.
I picked up similar advice in the form of "finger independence exercises" like doing chromatic runs but forcing yourself to only move a finger when it needs to move. I can attest that this method works. Thank you!
Thanks for sharing!
Great workout, thanks. I immediately started enjoying playing after these.
Thank you so much. Love this for a warm up as it wakes up the fingers!
You got me, I liked and subscribed. I'll be employing the methods in my next daily practice.
Thank you! Let me know on your progress.
This makes so much sense, I will start today. Thank you so much!
Thank you for the comment. Good luck and let me know how you get on!
Great exercise! It also doubles as a beautiful melody!
There are interesting sounds in some of those shapes! But yes, experiment. My channel mantra is "Discover. Learn. Create"
This is quite an underrated video not only does he pin your weakness he also has solution for it
Thanks so much for the comment! Glad you got some value and good luck with the exercises
Great exercise, a challenge to your brain and fingers.
It really is! I would love to know how you get on.
I work out a lot using a hand grip strengthener, and not only does it help build arm muscle and harden it, it also really helps with building strength in your fingers(edit: and wrists).
This makes it significantly easier (and more effortless) to play guitar, especially chords and pinky related stuff.
Would recommend it all beginners who want to learn string instruments.
thanks for sharing this, I have not used one before.
@@RiffsRhythm It's really does wonders.
Of course, like any strengthening exercise, it is important to start with a smaller weight and gradually work your way up, else you risk injury
After 1-2 and 1-3 my fingers got out of control and it is getting harder to do, but as you are given a routine to follow I will try my best to move all my fingers independently. Thanks sir for your lesson.😊
Perfectly normal! Stick with the routine and it will get much easier. Thanks for sharing
@RiffsRhythm Thanks sir, I got some improvement with following the routine.
@@RiffsRhythm Thanks for this routine, Now I am able to move my fingers independently. And I got somewhat better at chord changing. Once again Thank you so much 😊
@@jatinbundel2123 update ?
Thanks so much for these exercises. Just trying them, I know I need work and that is inspiring.
Glad you like them. It certainly highlights area that need work. Let me know how you get on
@@RiffsRhythm I sure will. Thanks again.
Been playing for a while and all of the figures are quite ok for me except the last one - the pinky and the ring.. total hell!
yep thats killer. Everyone is different which is interesting but everyone can improve. Keep me posted on how you get on
Kool man gonna try this ❤
Please do and report back!
Thanks for sharing 👍🏾
No problem 👍
I broke my fingers (2&4) back in august and I just started doing these and they suck but they work haha - thanks for this exercises
damn! How did you manage that? GO easy as these may cause discomfort
@ rope swinging! I let go of the rope but it didn’t let go of me haha.
@ ouch! 😫
False alarm, I did get the PDF link, thanks!
Thanks for mentioning this and i'm glad you have got it now! Good luck and let me know how you get on
by hold down, do you mean press the fingers down so that the strings are able to be picked or relax your fingers and move the needed fingers, not the latter right?
By ‘hold down,’ I mean keeping the opposing fingers (the ones not meant to move) pressed firmly on the frets. Don’t let them lift off the string or fret. They may naturally want to move on their own, and you might notice this happening without trying. This is finger independence in action-we’re training your fingers to move independently of each other.
Stick with it! If you use the exercises in the video consistently, these issues will improve over time. Good luck, and feel free to ask if you need me to explain anything further!
Like Redheaded Bastard StepChildren!
But they do eventually become part of the family!😁
haha! Take some time hey!
Did you learn these techniques from a guitar instructor? Or did you come up with them on your own?
It's a interesting finger combination.
I actually learned a very basic version of this from my guitar teacher, but over the years, I’ve developed and refined it through my own playing and teaching. It’s interesting how something simple can evolve into something unique over time!
I can move all my fingers not a problem been a piano player for many years and recently pick up the electric guitar. I can move all my fingers but the 1 and 4 swap i may never be able to do my hands are very small.
He’s going the distance he’s going for speed da da da da da da da ta
That tele has some stories to tell. How long have you had it??
Yeah there a few dings! I got it in 2017 and it was spotless!
I didn't understand the mute the e string part How to do it can you explain ?
Sure! When you go through each combination (1-2, 1-3,1-4,) A different finger will be the 5th string. Whatever finger lands on the 5th string has to mute the low E string by using the tip of the finger. Does that make it clearer what to do?
@RiffsRhythm Thanks 🙏🏻
@ no problem, hope that helps and good luck!
Hello. I went to the web link listed for the guide, entered my name and e-mail with no return message.
Glad the PDF Guide came through ok. Good luck!
Great exercise. Beginners could jist practice putting all four fingers on the strings and lifting and putting down one at a time.
Absolutely! But eventually build up to moving them at the same time. It's like your building up fingers for faster chord changes. Let me know how you get on?!
@ after 35 years of playing, I am pretty good with your exercise, but I come across new players who struggle with basic chord shapes, especially past first position.
In fairness, your exercise did expose a clarity issue in one of the variations.
Your video gave me a light bulb of something easy to build dexterity and clarity for new folks trying to learn chords. I will be sharing this technique with others.
@@BanjoSamuraithats great to hear. How did you get on with Step 3 advanced levels? I’m glad you found it useful enough to want to share it
One other bit of advice I received regarding these kinds of exercises. They're not fun, they're difficult and boring. Force yourself to do them for some set amount of time each time you get ready to play guitar. It's a good way to build the habit of actually practicing the hard stuff :)
Completely agree, that's why I point out in the vid that 5min is a great amount of time to see results. Habits are hugely important too. Thanks for sharing
That sound is kind of spooky 😊
ACCOUNTABILITY
commenting to hold myself accountable!
day 1 (part 1 practice)
difficulty for me is basically in descending order of the tests, lol. Instructionsl determinism?
exercise done.
1 minute each in speed and accuracy for every finger combo.
Quite difficult! Even with the "easy" transitions, I found that my fingers would often extend past their intended string.
3-4 (test 6) is almost impossible for me. My third finger has almost no flexibility (news to me!!!). Will look into doing some stretches.
day 2 (part 2 practice)
no real noticeable differences
(obviously, lol)
pinky is still not behaving
(can barely hold down the damn strings)
TEst 6 is still impossible. Started stretching yesterday. Let's see.
day 3
(3&4 improved!!!)
day 4 - too lazy to recount but did it
loving this! A daily account on how you are doing. Looks like things are progressing well! Keep it up
day 5 - going well. Seeing slight improvement. Test 6 (speed portion) still bring me the most trouble. The movement between strings is slightly staggered. (pinky arrives second, not simultaneous, on the transition). Will slow down and work on this
Been around a small block, lol... But if there was anything i was still doing, 20yrs later, backstage, this would have been it...
Great warm up.
it takes a menical brain to conjure up this brain tease, and i'm here for it. 🙂
It really is a brain and finger tease! Will iron out any week links and correct them.
Ed Sheeran doing side quest.
Got to pay the bills
i can’t believe just how bad i am at this …. 3-4 are killing me !
Your not alone! But it will gradually get easier. Keep it up
I can move my pinky finger, and my pinky finger alone 90 degrees to the rest of my hand with the rest of my fingers(and thumb) pointing straight up, same with ring finger. I is my middle finger that wants to pull the rest with it.
Complex beasts aren't they. With patience and doing this daily will definitely help. Please let me know how you get on after doing this for at least week daily. Good luck
@@RiffsRhythm This is definitely on my list. Ive come to the realization that before I do anything else I am going to finally memorize the fret board. I am learning theory on another channel (Mike George, I can not sing his praises enough on how he teaches theory) and that combined with where Im at with everything else I feel like that is the next thing I am going to focus on. Not that I can't spend a little time on each - and I probably will but it won't be my focus. I will however let you know and let you know how it came to be. This may come to full fruition without it being my main thing. Anyways I got this book marked and I plan to explore the rest of your channel. Thanks!
Cool exercise that ive not seen before and is something i could use as the worlds longest beginner 😜🤷🏼♂️🤦🏼♂️✌️….i did notice In the email with the diagrams it says 2nd and 3rd fingers twice where on one it shows 2nd and 4th finger …just a typo but you may want to fix it ..
Thank you! Just edited the PDF.
I can almost bend all the fingers independently on my fretting hand but my strumming hand is a mess 😂
There is always one hand
Its hard mate but i think its well worth it
Trust me it will! Keep at it and report back
My ring finger sucks, it tends to move at every fucking movment.
Don't worry you are not alone! It's Human Nature for your fingers to do this however with time it will correct itself. Stick with it and you'll surprise yourself! Please give it at least a week of daily practice and let me know how you get on?! Good luck
why 2-4 so hard lol
Torture! I will try it!
I like to make people suffer 😁 Good luck and let me know how you get on!
Corporal punishment for bad habits... I deserve the pain.
Ed Sheeran 😮😮😮😮
my bro
I got arthritis.
You actually call the web page in the link "Squeeze page"? Makes it pretty obvious what the motive is...
All sorted! Thanks for letting me know The motive is to send the PDF. So yes I have to collect an email address so I know where to send it. To be honest i'm still trying to learn all this stuff. But would be great to know how and where that came up. Thank you
This is hard
It gets easier! Even if it feels impossible to start with, your fingers will gradually get quicker
I thought he was ed Sheeran at first
haha
What if I spend this time on arpeggios instead this giga boring and hell annoying thing?
This isn't meant t replace anything. Use this as a warm up for 5min. This will get your fingers ready to go!
Do you have relationship with Ed Sheeran?
Right of the bat, I can't watch anymore. My ring finger and pinkie finger move together, there is no way to fix this. It's impossible. Anyone who thinks you can "train" yourself out of this is uneducated or ignorant. I don't mean to be rude, I wish this man the best, and I hope he's doing well and is happy, but I can't take advice to somebody who doesn't understand basic physiology.
Did you try this once or have you done this everyday?
This is a pretty advanced excercise for a beginner, try doing others before, i dont think youve seen how pro guitarists play, they are never held back by their fingers, its completely possible
How can someone be so sure of something and be so monumentally wrong at the same time? Ofc its possible haha. You need to give it alot more time then u seem to have done.
@ you’ll see results in 1 week and get faster more accurate fingers. Do all levels takes a lot more time. I wanted a guide for all players.
3.40 spooky shit "yikes Scooby"