Preface
Introductory Words by Aniello Desiderio
Suggestions for Using this Technique Handbook
Part One: Prerequisites and Basics
I. Short Introduction to Systematic Practicing
Prerequisites
Organizing Your Practicing
Practice Objectives
On Practicing Technique
On Sound, Rhythm and Tempo While Practicing
Motivation
Practicing with a Metronome
The Importance of Playing from Memory While Practicing
On the Frequent Repetition of Difficult Passages, Single Measures or Phrases
II. Holding the Instrument
The Four Points of Contact on the Body
The Correct Angle Towards the Body
Alternate Ways to Hold the Guitar
The Fusion of Body and Guitar into a Single Sound Source
III. Left Hand Posture (LH)
Four Universal Rules
The Principles of the Four Hand Shapes
Different Positions of the Left Arm-Hand-Finger System, Clarified by the Fourth Hand Shape
The Positioning of the Fingertips
IV. Short Outline of the Movements of the Left Hand (LH)
The Shoulder-Arm-Hand System
The Motion of the Arm
Basic Motions of the Fingers
Intonation and Finger Pressure
Left Hand Shift
Stretching and Contracting the Fingers
Ascending and Descending Slurs
Barre
Vibrato
V. Right Hand Posture (RH)
Posture
Base Finger Joint Position Relative to the Strings
VI. Tone Production and a Short Outline of the Movements of the Right Hand (RH)
Introduction
Nail Shape
Nail Length
Nail Shape of the Playing Finger
Polishing the Nails
Playing Angle of the RH
A System of Springs
Tirando: Sequence of Motions
Apoyando: Sequence of Motions
Sequence of Motions when Alternating Strokes (m-i and a-m-i)
Thumb Attack: Sequence of Motions
Tonal Colors and Point of Contact
Playing Chords (Several Notes Simultaneously): Sequence of Motions
Arpeggios: Sequence of Motions
Part Two: Technical Exercises
I. Arpeggios
The Practicing Units 48
Endurance, Evenness and Speed
Arpeggio Practicing Methods
1. Variable String Assignments of p-i-m-a
2. Impulse and Reflex Development
3. Practicing with Fixed Fingers (RH)
Chord Progressions and LH Patterns
Arpeggio Practicing Units
A1 The 6 Basic Arpeggios
A2 6 Basic Arpeggios Expanded to 24
A3 Arpeggios with p-m-i, p-m-a, p-i-a
A4 Alternating Various Arpeggio Patterns
A5 12 Basic Arpeggios with Simultaneous Thumb Attacks
A6 12 Basic Arpeggios with Polyrhythms
A7 Arpeggios with p-i, p-m and p-a
A8 Important Two-Part Arpeggios
A9 The 12 Basic Arpeggios on Three Strings
A10 36 Six Note Arpeggios
A11 24 Eight Note Arpeggios
A12 Variations of the 12 Basic Arpeggios on Three Strings
A13 Arpeggios with Thumb Accompaniment
A14 Various Arpeggio Patterns
A15 12 Basic Arpeggios as Quintuplets
A16 Arpeggios with Two to Eight Note Groupings
A17 112 Arpeggios on the 2nd and 3rd Treble Strings
A18 Basic Arpeggios with Difficult String Crossings
A19 Playing Chords with Arpeggios and Repeated Notes
A20 One Finger Arpeggios over Several Strings
A21 Arpeggios with Thumb Accompaniment to Strengthen Your Attack
Intensive Training of Important Arpeggios
A22 Intensive: The Classic Arpeggio Pattern p-i-m
A23 Intensive: The Classic Arpeggio Pattern p-i-m-a
II. Coordination of the Left and Right Hands
Speed and String Crossing Exercises in the Right Hand
Speed Exercises with Repeating Rhythms on a Single String
Speed Exercises
String Crossing Exercises
Synchronization of Your Left and Right Hands Exercises Using 2 Fingers from Each
Chromatic Triplet Exercises over All Strings
Synchronization Exercises While Changing Strings
Synchronization of 3 Fingers of the LH / 2 and 3 Fingers of the RH
Synchronization of 4 Fingers of the LH / 2 and 3 Fingers of the RH (24 Permutations)
Synchronization of 4 Fingers of Both the Left and Right Hands (8 Note Permutation)
Intensive Training of the Chromatic Permutations 1 2 3 4 and 4 3 2 1
Various Coordination Exercises
III. Scales in All Keys
Preparatory Studies for Scales and Runs
Scales over Two and Three Octaves in the Circle of Fifths and Fourths