The four “T’s” overview
by Frank Solivan
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1) Technique: Explore pick grip; alternate picking
exercises - inside picking/outside picking; wrist should
be loose; warmup stretches and relax stretches;
planting vs not planting; slow motion first; Learn a new
scale everyday incorporating good technique.
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2) Tone: Slow motion left hand three note scale
exercise; finding “the sweet spot”; pick grip pressure for
finesse, volume and speed; soft and slow attack using
tremolo.
3) Timing: Practicing in time; how do YOU feel the
timing; Use of metronome; the “chop” vs “rhythm
shuffle”; syncopated strum; open chords vs closed
chords. Subdivide the beat - chop, tremolo and triplets.
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4) Tempo: Build speed with use of scales, picking
exercises and techniques; Bringing the right and left
hands together at the right time; speeding up vs
slowing down; playing “on top” of the beat vs playing
“behind the beat” vs “playing” with time in meter. What
is “stretching time”?