Classical Guitar Lesson #10: Ballistic Motion

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Christopher Berg's "Mastering Guitar Technique: Process & Essence" is perhaps the first guitar method to discuss ballistic motion in the right hand. In this lesson I talk about the importance of flexing the fingers only enough to sound the string and the necessity of allowing the fingers to extend naturally without activating the extensor muscles.

I also demonstrate the full natural extension which can be used in many sympathetic motion arpeggios, and the shortened natural extension used in i and m alternation.

In fast playing it is important to remember that although the right hand fingers do move less, it's the manner in which they move less that is important. If no extensors muscles are employed in the shortened stroke used for playing rapid 'im' scale passages, then inhibibting muscle against muscle tension can be avoided.

Here are three exercises for acheiving the ballistic feeling.
1) Three note chords with 'ima' are easy to play in a ballistic manner. Use only the grasping motion and allow all the fingers to return natuually.

2) Practice 'im' free stroke alternation on one string with a full natural extension, pausing a bit after each finger plays to make sure all tension has been evactuated from the finger and that you flexed the finger only. In other words, give yourself time to think about each stroke.

3) Alternate very lightly and slowly on one string while concentrating on using the mucles/tendons on the bottom of the hand. Keep the top of the hand quiet. Increase speed. If it goes up to about 140 mm (four notes to the click), you've got the feeling. I don't think there is anyway one could play non-ballistically at 140 mm.

Produced by
Kent Murdick
University of South Alabama

Category:

Music

Tags:

• classical
• guitar
• lesson
• technique
• ballistic
• motion
• murdick
• aaron
• shearer
• christopher
• berg
• spanish

[Lutemann]

I'd love to, but I'm too busy here.

[matt0mattic]

I'm searching for a classical guitar because I am choosing to study the guitar in college... What brand do you recommend? Do I need a cut? Have you heard good things about the brand Rodriguez?

[Lutemann]

Get on aguitar list and talk to people. Ask your guitar teacher at college.

[Lutemann]

I can't tell without seeing it.

[deseant]

I understand. I don't have the resources to upload a video to show you though.

[Lutemann]

I don't think you want to plant with the tremolo.

[EF14Z]

will you come to israel to teach my son? please? :)

[josejuan61]

ADMIRABLE!

[adomaful]

retard

[BauraKale]

When I teach this concept (which I heard called "pulse playing" in California about 40 years ago) I refer to it as "delta function playing" as in the Dirac delta function.

[ZIROLAND]

these instructional videos are great! thank you. can you please post a piece where you are seen playing fast scales (at tempo) showing the right and left hands? thanks that would be great!

[nadezhda71]

hey i was wondering if you could do something for like really beginners because i just got my guitar and i wanna know a little bit before i start my lessons

[deseant]

Well, for example, I would only plant p and then a. Then plant (almost catch the string) with m, etc. The problem is I tend to extend my i finger instead of flexing and letting the i finger come back naturally.