Technical Tip #1: Pivot Fingers

The concept of Pivot Fingers is of immediate use even to beginners, and needs to be kept in mind constantly while practicing. It simply means that if a finger is already down on a note, and is needed in the same place either right away or shortly, DON'T TAKE IT OFF THAT NOTE.

Examples:

an Em chord to a B7. Do the Em with fingers 2 and 3, and leave 2 down while switching.

a C chord to an Em, leave 2 down and place 1 on the other note.

a C chord to a first position full F bar chord. Leave 3 down and pivot around it as you place the other fingers.

Always look for opportunities to use pivot fingers. You will find them in chord changes, scale passages, slur passages, all over. Every time you find one, you have just made that passage easier, and improved your overall technique. Sometimes, I find one I have never noticed before, maybe in something I have been playing for years and years. I am always glad I found it, but I feel pretty dumb for not noticing it before!