Finger independence
The ability to move each finger of the plucking or fretting hand separately, without the others following.
Finger independence is the training goal behind most fingerstyle and classical practice, because the natural tendency of the hand is to move as a unit. Exercises such as alternating index and middle at steady tempo, or holding a bass note while other fingers change, teach the nervous system to separate the fingers. Fretting independence matters too, since a finger that lifts when it should stay planted creates buzz and broken chords, so players practise holding shapes while one finger moves.
Example: A fingerstyle part in which the thumb keeps a bass line while the fingers play a syncopated melody demands real finger independence.
See also
Related
- PageTravis picking
- PageFingerstyle
- PageComping
- PageAccent
- PageAction height
- PageAlternate picking
- PageAaron Dessner
- PageAce Frehley