To show basic left hand movements, I use tablature that shows only one
string. It is shown using string 5. You should practice on every string.
Notice the different movement comes from changing the left hand. The thumb
picks the same string over and over. You should substitute each picking
finger for the thumb and do each exercise that way.
The X in the tablature tells you that a note is sounding but it is
not being picked. It could also be used to show a pedal changing the
note, but these exercises focus on the small things. As we continue
to expand our thinking, we can make new licks by simply changing the
variables. We can mathematically figure out all of the possibilities.
Of course we may need a computer.
The first square shows an exercise
that goes all the way up and down the neck. It is a chromatic scale.
The thing to notice is how the sound compares to that of the second
exercise. We can learn a lot by listening to subtle things as we practice
the drills and exercises.
Practice each move with a straight
feel and with a swing feel. Each one takes a different move from your
left hand. These are all moves that can be worked on. Notice that the
second example doesn't write out the entire exercise. You should continue
up the neck in the same manner as you were doing previously. The next
example is whole tones.
Left
Hand Logic