Legato playing is a guitar technique that focuses on smooth and fluid playing with minimal use of picking. It emphasizes hammer-ons, pull-offs, and slides to create fast, flowing lines. To build speed and precision with legato playing, here are some exercises and tips to incorporate into your practice routine:
1. Start with the Basics:
- Begin by practicing simple legato exercises using the following techniques:
- Hammer-ons (H): Play a note, then use another finger to hammer-on to the next note without picking.
- Pull-offs (P): Play a note, then use another finger to pull-off to a lower note without picking.
- Slides (S): Slide your finger from one note to another, connecting them smoothly.
2. Chromatic Legato Exercise:
- Start on one string and practice a chromatic legato exercise using hammer-ons and pull-offs:
- E|—————————————————–|
- B|—————————————————–|
- G|—————————————————–|
- D|———5h6p5————-5h7p5————-5h8p5-|
- A|—5h7p5——-7h8p7-5h7p5——-7h9p7-5h7p5——-|
- E|-5——————-7——————-8———|
3. Scales with Legato:
- Apply legato techniques to scales you’re familiar with, such as the pentatonic or diatonic scales. Focus on maintaining a consistent flow as you ascend and descend the scale.
4. Sequences and Patterns:
- Create legato sequences and patterns to develop your finger dexterity. For example, practice ascending and descending groups of four notes with legato:
- E|———————–5h7p5———————–|
- B|——————-5h7——-7h8p7————-|
- G|—————5h7——————-7h9p7—–|
- D|———–5h7——————————-7-|
- A|——-5h7————————————-|
- E|-5h7——————————————-|
5. Metronome Practice:
- Use a metronome to gradually increase your speed. Start at a comfortable tempo and work your way up as you become more comfortable with the exercises.
6. Finger Independence:
- Work on finger independence to ensure that each finger is strong and can perform hammer-ons and pull-offs with precision.
7. Use All Fingers:
- Incorporate all four fingers (index, middle, ring, and pinky) into your legato playing. This will help you develop a balanced and versatile technique.
8. String Crossings:
- Practice legato across strings to improve your ability to navigate the fretboard smoothly. Focus on maintaining a consistent attack and volume.
9. Dynamics and Articulation:
- Pay attention to dynamics and articulation while practicing legato. Experiment with variations in volume and articulation to add expressiveness to your playing.
