P5 - B4

Left hand

  • Maintaining an appropriate free left-hand shape which facilitates accurate placement of the fingers
    • recognising and playing with secure intonation throughout the full range
    • playing with speed, strength and flexibility of finger action at a variety of tempi
    • playing with security in different positions and when changing between positions
    • developing a variety of tone colours, including artificial harmonics and hammer-ons moving up the fretboard
    • using a controlled vibrato

With learners, listen to a range of cliché licks associated with bending strings, eg. ‘Samba Pa T’ by Carlos Santana. Demonstrate how the effects are produced.

Ask learners to play simple scales and single line melodies with artificial harmonics.

Learners should understand the physics of string vibration with regard to harmonics, e.g. node, antinode.

Teach exercises to develop the technique of left-hand vibrato, encouraging learners to incorporate into pieces for musical effect.

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