Developing a strong legato technique on guitar opens the door to smoother, faster, and more expressive playing. While it can seem intimidating at first, breaking the process down into manageable steps makes a big difference. Two common challenges players face are:
- Lack of articulation clarity:Sloppy notes often result from insufficient attention to detail. Precision is key to achieving a polished sound.
- Excessive tension:Tension in the hands, arms, or fingers can hinder fluidity. Learning to relax while maintaining control is essential.
By addressing these obstacles, you can unlock new possibilities in your playing. Here are some actionable strategies to help you refine your legato skills.
Step 1: Use the Pick to Define Notes Clearly
One of the most effective ways to improve legato is to start by focusing on pick articulation:
- Begin with an exercise where you pick every note in a passage. This sets a foundation of clarity and helps you hear each note distinctly.
- Gradually reduce the number of picked notes while incorporating hammer-ons and pull-offs. This shift challenges your fretting hand and encourages independence among your fingers.
The goal is to achieve a balance where your fretting hand maintains the same level of precision as your picking hand. Consistent practice of this technique will enhance the overall smoothness of your legato playing.
Step 2: Add Variety to Your Exercises
Variety is crucial to maintaining interest and ensuring well-rounded development. While you don’t need dozens of exercises, incorporating different variations can enhance your skills:
- Identify the specific technical issue you want to improve, such as speed, clarity, or strength.
- Create exercises or modify existing licks to address that issue.
- Experiment with variables like:
- Using different scales or modes.
- Changing the rhythm or timing of notes.
- Practicing on various strings or fretboard positions.
By organizing exercises according to the skill they develop, you can easily select the right challenge for each practice session.
Step 3: Focus on Difficult Passages
Mastering legato requires targeted practice, particularly on tricky sections. Here are a few methods to tackle challenging passages:
- Isolate and repeat the most difficult parts of a lick multiple times. Repetition builds confidence and muscle memory.
- Shift exercises to areas of the fretboard where frets are wider apart. This adds an extra physical challenge and strengthens finger dexterity.
- Practice without amplification to emphasize accuracy and clean execution.
- Practice with an amp or with distortion so you can identify and fix open string noise issues.
Step 4: Isolate Challenging Finger Pairs
Practice trills between specific finger pairs to strengthen your fingers and improve control. This exercise can be intense at first, so don’t hesitate to break it into smaller sections. With consistent effort, you’ll build finger strength, learn to relax, and reduce tension, eventually working through the entire sequence multiple times.
Begin slowly and focus on trilling between each of the following finger pairs:
- Fingers 1 and 2
- Fingers 1 and 3
- Fingers 1 and 4
- Fingers 2 and 3
- Fingers 2 and 4
- Fingers 3 and 4
Take your time, stay patient, and prioritize precision over speed. Over time, this exercise will become a powerful tool in your legato practice.
Final Thoughts
Refining your legato technique is about persistence and mindful practice. By focusing on clarity, reducing unnecessary tension, and incorporating strategic exercises, you’ll steadily develop the speed, fluidity, and control that define great legato playing. Embrace the process and enjoy the satisfaction of mastering this essential guitar skill.
About The Author
Brian Fish is a professional guitarist who has been dedicated to helping other guitar players in Northeast Ohio pursue their musical dreams since 1994. He’s passionate about guiding others on their musical journey! He is the Guitar Playing Transformation Specialist, instructor, mentor, trainer, and coach at Guitar Lessons Geauga.
Brian has also assisted people from around the globe in developing a solid sense of timing and enhancing their creativity through the fantastic rhythm course, “Ultimate Rhythm Mastery,” available at MusicTheoryForGuitar.com.
If you live in Geauga County / North East Ohio, Guitar Lessons Geauga can help you become the player you’ve always wanted to be.
