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Lesson 77 | Descending Slurs & Legato Articulation

Master the technical "Pre-Set" required for clean descending slurs while maintaining strict right-hand alternation.

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The Descending Slur "Pre-Set"

A slur involves two notes where only the first is plucked by the right hand; the second note is produced solely by the left hand. For descending slurs (pull-offs), the secret to a masterful tone is preparation: if the second note is a fretted note, you must have that finger firmly in place before you pluck the first note. This ensures the second note rings with clarity and consistent volume, avoiding a "weak" or "muffled" transition.

Strict Right-Hand Alternation

As the left hand handles the articulation of the slurs, the right hand must remain disciplined. Focus on maintaining a constant alternation between your index (i) and middle (m) fingers. Avoid the temptation to repeat a finger just because the left hand is doing the heavy lifting. This practice builds the structural momentum required for faster, more complex passages in later levels.

The Variable Slowness Protocol

Because slurs depend on the "snap" of the left-hand fingers, timing is everything. Use the "Variable Slowness" method—practicing at multiple speeds—to audit the synchronization between the right-hand pluck and the left-hand pull. By studying the movement at a granular level, you engineer a fluid legato that sounds effortless.

The Play along

I've found that at the begining of the learning journey it can be very helpful to have a recording to follow along. Remember that you can easily change YouTube video playback speed on any device by clicking the settings gear icon, selecting Playback speed, and choosing a different speed from the menu, or even setting a custom speed.

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