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In this section we will work on the coordination of the two hands. The importance of this series of exercises is vital for the control of the right hand that moves at the same time as the left hand does on the fretboard. Lets not forget another important factor: while the two hands are busy playing, we must also think about the notes that need to be played, therefore using all our mental resources, which are already busy trying to control the fingerings and the picking. I suggest that you play these exercises in succession at a slow speed, memorizing and playing them with regularity. Daily exercises are essential, especially at the beginning. When you start to feel muscular pains or fatigue in the hand, stop for a few minutes and relax. The brain also needs a break, put down the guitar and maybe even go for a walk.

The main purpose of this section is to master the technique in this exercise, because once you have learned the execution procedure, you will have the practical base to analyze and study the entire series of exercises that will follow. For those who have some doubts on the correct use the alternate picking technique should return to that section. The proper use of the fingers of the left hand is also explained in this page. Lets look at the first exercise.

We work on a single string, and more precisely the first. Position the index finger of the left hand on the 5th fret, to work in the fifth position.
We now play the four notes in succession (A, B, C, B), maintaining the accent (stress) on the note in beat (the A), using alternate picking (down, up, down, up).
These four notes together form a pattern, that will be played twice. The term pattern indicates a sequence of notes that can be repeated many times.
In the second part of the bar we see another pattern, made of the notes B, C, D, C. Use the same system as before, but remember to keep the rhythmic and sequential movement of the right hand constant.
In the second bar we see the left hand in the fourth position for the first two movements, which returns to the seventh position in the last two movements.
Putting the two bars in continuous cycle, we have the complete exercise. Initially, this should be played slowly, at 60 bpm (beats/minute on the metronome). Keep time both with your foot (the right foot is best, because it is easier to syncronize with the right hand), and with the pressure of the pick on the string.
Play the exercise for a few minutes, stop and relax your hands, then repeat it a few more times.

When you have learned exercise 1, move on to exercise 2. The pattern of four notes is played only once, followed by the others within a single bar. In this case the technique is the same, but you need to change strings at the end of every sequence (which lasts one bar), climbing one string at a time from the first to the sixth, then descending back down to the first. This is something that is used often in the playing of various exercises.

The succession of note changes, even if the concept is the same as in exercise 1. Pay attention to the fingering, which has obviously changed. For the rest, follow the suggestions given before.

Develop exercise 3 on all the strings. From this point all the exercises that follow will have various execution sequences and will be on a single string, but remember to perform them on all the strings and always in tempo. You should always use a metronome because it helps you build confidence with the timing.

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