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Lesson 78 | Ascending Slurs & Melodic Pivots

Develop the percussive power of the left hand with ascending slurs while utilizing a fixed-finger anchor to ensure melodic continuity.

The Scores

Studio Insights

The Ascending Slur "Hammer"

In an ascending slur, the second note is produced by "hammering" a left-hand finger onto the string with enough velocity to make it ring without a right-hand pluck. To execute this with masterful precision, use the Hovering Finger principle: keep the second finger poised directly above its target fret. This minimizes the travel distance and maximizes the impact, ensuring the slur sounds as clear as a plucked note.

The Right-Hand Vertical Guide (i)

This lesson shifts between standard i-m alternation and four-part textures (p-a and i-m combinations). To navigate these shifts seamlessly, treat your index finger (i) as the primary guide. When the index finger finds its correct vertical position on the string set, the other fingers will naturally "fall" into place, providing a stable architecture for the hand.

The Melodic Anchor Point

In this lesson, after the ascending slur is executed, the melody immediately returns to the starting note. To make this transition effortless, keep the first finger firmly fixed on the fretboard throughout the slur. By anchoring the starting note, you eliminate the need to "re-find" the position, preserving the clarity and resonance of the phrase.

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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