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Lesson 81 | Advanced Barres & Five-String Flourishes

Test your left-hand capabilities with repeated half-barre applications and a dynamic right-hand pattern that shifts between intricate picking and sweeping chords.

The Scores

Studio Insights

The Leverage Principle

One of the most vital secrets to a masterful half-barre is realizing it shouldn't rely on strength alone. To avoid fatigue, focus on finding the "sweet spot" of your index finger—typically slightly on its side—and ensure it is placed as close to the fret wire as possible.

The Sweep and the Breakdown

The right-hand pattern is largely consistent but breaks strategically at the end of phrases. Look out for the five-string chordal break; this requires a sophisticated sweep of the thumb across strings 5 and 4. Ensuring these moments of "texture change" are executed with precision is vital for a concert-ready performance.

The Finger 3 Sequencing

In the half-barre in measures 6 and 14, finger 3 must technically land before the barre. While it is acceptable to place the barre first during initial practice, strive to land the fingers in the exact order the notes require: finger 3 first, then the half-barre.

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.

Would you like some guidence? 

Stuck on a specific bar? I’m happy to help you get results faster and smoother. Check availability for 1-on-1 deep dives. 

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