I've been playing guitar for over 30 years. I've been a professional guitarist for 24 years. I just did this exercise and it made me feel like I've never picked up the instrument in my life. Thank you!! I will be doing this daily from now on.
Actually, smartie. I've been doing this everyday and I feel like it's contributing to some increased cordination, and control in my playing. Whatever works for a person. Have a nice life.
@@HansOellerich smartie ? not sure what you mean by that but i’m glad to hear man , I’ve also started trying this exercise everyday. so 🤷🏽♂️ we’ll see how that goes for me.
This channel should be bigger. No self-promotion. No filler. No rambling stories. No dramatic lighting or obscuring camera-angles. Just a tutor teaching *genuinely* easier songs in a clear and logical way.
Yep. Agreed. I think it's the approach and the true hidden intention. Instead of 'I'm going to teach you something that I know. Look at me!' kind of separated approach. Or that talking into empty space while looking at a camera vibe, sorta hollow. Lauren is more personable and inclusive. Kind of a let's learn together, I'm here to play along a with you, chilled. It's a subtle difference, but boy, is it a difference.
There's a book called Guitar Codebreaker Unlocked, and it teaches everything about playing guitar, from essential skills to advanced techniques. It’s perfect for all levels
The progress I’ve made with this exercise is insane. I’ve only been playing for a week now; couldn’t even lift my third finger at first, but now I can move it just as independently as my first finger. It’s definitely improved my chord changing too, and in such little time. Thank you!!!
Lauren, I'm an older student (63), and this exercise is wonderful for arthritic joints in the fingers. It keeps my fingers somewhat limber and as we all know, if the joint is moving, fresh blood flows to it and keeps them healthy! Thank You for this useful exercise..
@@wildalbalass4867 After the initial painful fingers and joints, not too bad. I honestly never knew there was this much involved in the guitar. I always thought it was extremely difficult, and some parts are but for the most I think it a person's love of music that carries them through. Barr chords are my biggest problem. I just can't seem to get them right. Are you doing well?
@@RealPeterGunn Cut out all processed sugar foods, and your arthrictic condition will subside over time. Give yourself a one month challenge on this. Includes sugar in coffee.
Not only have I gotten faster at my guitar picking my wife has been super nice to me lately for some reason. She must really be proud of my improvement in my scales.
GAWD!! Can we not stop with the BS upside down tabs?! Up = 🔼 Down = 🔽. There’s not a single musician past, present or future; who didn’t learn the previous sentence before they ever picked up an instrument! But just to be clear, great exercise! It’s now a daily. 🎶
This is unbelievably helpful. I've started doing it a mere once a day, 15 reps per finger, because it hurt to do more at the beginning. Takes about 2 minutes total. I could see and feel results as of the 3rd day. Yes, the THIRD day. Mind blowing. Thank you Lauren.
So important! If this works, you're a hero. I'm eager to get back into guitar myself, and I know one of the most frustrating things for me was the lack of flexibility in the fingers and was disappointing when trying to play chords with uncomfortable shapes. So crucial to really have the basics down and free up your "toolbox/resources" first. A capable and resourceful guitarist is a confident and less frustrated guitarist (as I'd say it).
I am a Bass player getting into guitar. One week. This is an exercise that yields results because it focuses on the mechanism of chord changing....it is a game changer. 20 is Plenty. Relax. No forcing. Thank you for this gift. 😊❤️
67 y/o here. This exercise is great. Thank you Lauren for this! Very helpful. In fact I appreciate your lesson aimed at older players. Don't know that anyone else is helping older folks like this.
I watched this about three weeks ago and did great with my 1st and 2nd fingers, fair with my 4th and figured my 3rd finger was never going to work any better than what it did which was pathetic at best. I did every step as you described in the video, even assisting my 3rd finger from the 3rd to the 6th and 1st strings for a couple of days. After the first week all my fingers were working much better with the 3rd still a bit slower and today all four fingers are moving great independently of each other. This will be a part of my warmup and stretching exercises for as long as I'm around to play. Thank you, Lauren!
This practice has changed my life. I started playing guitar 7 years ago. But those 7 can't compete with these 4 weeks of practice. I'm flying on air. Thanks mam for this precious lesson ❤️💜💜❤️💜
I LOVE this. I've been playing for 30 years and teaching 20. I've never seen this exercise. I'm happy to see that I had no issues with my 3rd finger but I can feel that it's more challenging. I can feel that burn on hand AND my forearm. I did start thinking about overdoing it so I'm glad you mentioned that. I will start sharing this with my students.
@@LaurenBateman If you count the 20 per finger as one set, how many sets do you think is good if you spread it through out the day? Is one set per day good?
Thank You Lauren as an older player ( 59 ) with Arthrose , from the Netherlands Europe , where the Winters are very cold , this exercise of Yours is an eye opener and very helpfull , so thank You again , with love and respect xxx .
It's techniques like these that are incredibly underrated. Absolutely good medicine for your guitar technique that's going to have a pretty immediate impact on your playing.
Great finger exercise! You've addressed another one of my challenges: my fourth and fifth fingers don't seem to want to stretch much. I will give this exercise a try!
I started on the electric at 17 but then sold it just a few years ago. At 52, I've picked up the acoustic, and I'm trying to do the many things I did wrong on the electric right. This is an intriguing exercise and I think I'll be following your channel. Thanks
I started to learn guitar a few months ago, chords are really intimidating. I can never do the switches on time and ive avoided practicing chords all together- I feel like this exercise will help alot! Will update!!
Honestly glad the youtbe algorithm recommended this video to me I've seen alot of things saying it will help you get faster but this is the first one that actually felt like it helps it addresses the problem at it source and I think I'll finally get out of my slump with this technique
Brilliant work. I had developed some of my own before your video and all your analysis of the fingers especially the ring finger is so spot on. I used to think that I was cursed. Now I know that it is normal. Your warning is also spot on. It does hurt pretty quickly. Thank you so much.
Quick Update. I start to see a little bit of a difference in my pinky, which was stiff and not really able to move around freely or even stretch up to the 1st string. My ringfinger, to my own surprise, was doing alright from the get-go. It feels easier to change chords now (which I also still practice a lot). For now, this exercise does make a difference! I can also recommend doing the spider exercise and it's vast amount of variations, but the best I can recommend, is to play scales, for a musical approach. Choose a key and practice e.g. pentatonic, Blues and major scales in an alternating way. It's fun!
@@logjpg I don't do this exercise regularly anymore. I feel like, the more you play chords changes the faster you eventualy get. I do variations of the spider exercise on a daily basis now, which feels great :)
What helped me was a few variations. Sorry for textwall. 1. I put all fingers on G string, one finger per fret. I move first finger to top string, then bottom, then top, back to bottom, I do it 20 times, then back to G. I do this on each finger. For my first week or so, I had to use my other hand to help move a finger or hold a finger in place while another finger moves. 2. I curl one finger onto my palm. Then I slowly bend/straighten my other fingers. I have to use my other hand to help. THIS IS IT! I WAS TRYING TO FIND THIS VIDEO, FORGETTING IT WAS YOU!! THANK YOU FOR THIS, YOU SAVED MY DEAD HANDS!! I've been telling everyone about this for about 6 months now, but I forgot the video. I bookmarked it and will post this whenever I need to. Thank you!!
Thank you very much for this exercise! I´ve been playing guitar for 19 years and never heard of this exercise befor. It´s great and i love it. I was training my ring finger with some exercise i created on my own: Let your fingers touch your palm. Now raise your middle finger. Well... as i think about it, you better don´t practise in public^^ Lower the middle finger and raise the ring finger. Lower the ring finger and raise your middle finger. Do this for 20s. This shoud be enough. So 1 and 4 are always on the palm. You Raise 2,3,2,3,2,3,2,3... I call it cycling. After a few days you might notice that your fingers become more independent.
ah, that darn ring finger: commitment, responsibility; no wonder it leads the pinky and the up-yours astray, but faithful practice leads to a harmonious union....thanks for the exercise, Lauren.
Very cool exercise. I've been an on-off player for over 40 years and am picking it up again since I retired at 63. I want to REALLY be able to play before I... well, you know - we start thinking about these things when we reach into our 60's. You can just feel where in your hand this is working. I will add it to my daily practice. Thank you.
This is a fantastic tip Lauren. While I have developed great independence with my fingers in many styles, I now find after seeing the sheet music to Paganini's Caprices only recently I am considering how to apply personal practice techniques to attempt to learn some of those passages. I already can see how through your lesson I can extend my practice. Thanks for the upload.
I'm right handed, and I've been playing guitar, strumming style, for well over 50 years. I can work my left hand fingers fairly well independently. They've been forminng accurately and fast chords for a long time. My right hand has to catch up and learn independent movement. Thanks for the explanation. I'm 72 yrs old and loving my 2019 Martin D-18 that I recently acquired in order to learn the joy of finger style picking. Thanks for your help. Great lesson.
Thank you Lauren! I've been playing 23 years and just recently decided to start incorporating exercises (self taught and unfortunately never really learnt any). I've been looking for something to work the tendons and this exercise works great especially part of my warm up to loosen my hands. Take care ✌
This is definitely gonna be helpful to me. I started playing guitar back when I was 11 but i did not resume playing until I was given an acoustic guitar towards the end of the summer. I played for tips on the street from day 1 but it is freezing cold outside so i am forced to practice at home and not getting tips for it. ( yes I know enough chords to not totally stink). This is a good exercise. Thank you!
Thank you for this as a beginner this is a great finger practice...no forcing and no pressure and after a week my finger moves much freely...recommend this one👏👏
I’m a 72 year old beginner and have been doing your 14 day crash course, which is great by the way. I already have some arthritis and carpal tunnel, but I need to do this exercise. Playing a “C” chord is a real stretch for my ring finger.
Thank you so much for this! What a great exercise. It's interesting reading comments from people who have been playing for decades discovering and loving this exercise. Makes me feel so fortunate to have access to as many experts and teachers as I could want through the internet--I can't imagine being self-taught 30 years ago. Thanks for doing what you do :)
Not only have a gotten better at guitar, I got a raise at my job for some reason, I’m so lucky I found this video, my life has turned around ever since
I have been playing guitar for 30 years I do lots of exercises for better playing but this exercise is a game changer , has made my playing much better thank you very much ❤❤❤❤
I’m a black belt in kung fu and a musician. She had me at “I was a boxer…” and sure ‘nuff, she knows stuff. “Relaxation, breathe” Thank you Lauren. I liked and subscribed.
Lauren you are such a compliment to my teacher for guitar. You give only what is needed and never fluff. I love what you are doing in this extremely competitive market of guitar instructors. Keep up the great work and thank you. That's a great exercise and you are right - this is one you don't want to overdue. I have one small request -> Father and Daughter by Paul Simon. I can't figure out that riff at the beginning of the song. It's definitely a scale but it's not obvious to me. Thanks (oh and it's a great song too)
I am SO HAPPY I found this video. I am older, mid-60's, played basketball in HS and college and beyond and as you can imagine, multiple jammed/dislocated fingers throughout my career. Fast forward to just 2 months ago and just starting to play guitar. I find my finger movements are...uh...strained. I have been doing a variety of other finger stretches and playing, well, attempting, the spider drill, which all have helped quite a bit actually. But, like you pointed out, my 3rd and 4th fingers are not cooperating as I'd like. They're like teenagers, they will NOT do as I tell them. My brain says "3rd finger, go to the high E string 3rd fret." It says "NO! I'm gonna follow my siblings, 1st and 2nd fingers up to the low E and A strings. Screw you!" Sheesh....teenagers! All joking aside, I am looking forward to adding this exercise to my daily practice schedule and I am very hopeful it will allow me to better move my fingers from C --> G --> D7 --> Em, etc. THANKS!
Definitely add this in. I played bball for many years so I know all about the jammed fingers. Take it slow but use this as a warmup and it should help a lot.
I didnt start learning guitar to help cope with anxiety, I just want to make music. But relaxation and releasing tension is something I really struggle with. I think guitar will really help me with this. It gives me a positive motivation to relax and takes the focus off of my inner issues. Thank you for the lesson!
I barely just started playing guitar!! 🎸I will start this exercise today, will comeback in a week and tell you how it went, comment to keep you guys updated!! 😁😁😁
OMG! It’s so good to hear the that I’m not the only person having an issue with the ring finger. Here’s the kicker though, I was born with a short ring finger, which make playing guitar even harder for me. I’m going to start this practice tonigh when I get off of work.
@@LaurenBateman Thank you!! I knew of this practice technique but was never told to hold your fingers if you need to. I did your drill last night and had some success with my ring finger. It’s such a bummer that my ring finger is practically the same length as my pinky finger. I will not give up!
Idk if im doing it right. Muscle in my wrist moves when moving my pinky. Wrist moves a tiny bit overall but not like what’s shown in the video. It also hurts but not a lot. Is the wrist supposed to not move at all or is it okay to move slightly as long as youre not depending on it to reach the strings?
The beginning of this video is why I wish I broke my left hand instead of my right when I was a kid. I can move my pinky and ring finger completely independently on that hand.
This is an awesome lesson. I asked a question about speed during your recent live video and this adds to the answer you gave me back then. You’re instructions are clear, useful and easy to understand. Thank you for what you do. 😊
Just started doing this today. Feeling motivated with all these comments. I can't barely move down my 3rd finger, currently I'm just trying to down one string and it takes an eyernity
Hi Lauren. again I'm 66 years young I've been working on learning the guitar for at least four years and my biggest Challenge is that I have arthritis of the fingers but I'm not a quitter with that said do you have any suggestions or exercise that can help me with chord shapes switching and speed that can help me with the arthritis issue
Joe, I would recommend using a heating pad to warm up your fingers before you play. Many of my students find that helpful. More frequent but shorter practice sessions depending on pain. Also, keep things simple at first to build dexterity and flexibility, then progress from there. This exercise can help. My spider exercise can also help. Check out my free crash course: www.laurenbateman.com/crashcourse
Awesome!😲 Thankyou Lauren! I have been playing guitar for over 30 years and no one has ever shown me this one exercise....so good!😆 You can teach an old dog new tricks!🤗 YOU ROCK!👊🏾 God bless🙏🏾❤
I have always taken the advice by Jamie Andreas about "sympathetic tension". Especially the pinky wants to move or curl in sympathy with the ring finger. The key exercise is to move the ring finger, keeping the pinky in an idle state (not fretting anything) and focus on NOT DOING anything with the pinky. Relaxing helps. This exercise is more related to what actually happens when playing, more so than the one you have on display. Moving the ring finger up and down the strings while keeping the other fingers fretted is not something that happens in reality, so the muscle memory of that exercise doesn't transfer into actual play.
✅ SUPPORT LAUREN'S CHANNEL by purchasing her course:
- 7 Level Beginner Guitar System: www.laurenbatemanguitar.com/courseyt
We’re learning the A Minor pentatonic scale from your TH-cam video. You’re a great teacher! 🎸
Thanks for your tip , I'm a beginner and I'm working on scales and some chords but I was having trouble with the spider walk this I can do better.
Box sings. You teach us things. :0
I can move my third finger without moving any fingers.
I want beginning guitar and please teach
I've been playing guitar for over 30 years. I've been a professional guitarist for 24 years. I just did this exercise and it made me feel like I've never picked up the instrument in my life. Thank you!! I will be doing this daily from now on.
Same! I had been playing for maybe 10 years and I felt like I had never played before.
How’s the results ? i’m intrigued how much you’ve improved by this haha
Actually, smartie. I've been doing this everyday and I feel like it's contributing to some increased cordination, and control in my playing. Whatever works for a person. Have a nice life.
@@HansOellerich smartie ? not sure what you mean by that but i’m glad to hear man , I’ve also started trying this exercise everyday. so 🤷🏽♂️ we’ll see how that goes for me.
Good job
This channel should be bigger.
No self-promotion. No filler. No rambling stories. No dramatic lighting or obscuring camera-angles. Just a tutor teaching *genuinely* easier songs in a clear and logical way.
Aww thanks Joe! Appreciate the kind words.
Yep. Agreed. I think it's the approach and the true hidden intention. Instead of 'I'm going to teach you something that I know. Look at me!' kind of separated approach. Or that talking into empty space while looking at a camera vibe, sorta hollow. Lauren is more personable and inclusive. Kind of a let's learn together, I'm here to play along a with you, chilled. It's a subtle difference, but boy, is it a difference.
I totally agree with you.
I’ve been playing guitar for 97 years and this exercise really aggravates my wife so I’m going to do it every day.
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
😂😂get rest
🤣
😂😅
Hahaha
There's a book called Guitar Codebreaker Unlocked, and it teaches everything about playing guitar, from essential skills to advanced techniques. It’s perfect for all levels
Would this book be good for a total beginner
Whats the name of the author? I didn't get the book online, if you have the link please share. (22/12/24)
The progress I’ve made with this exercise is insane. I’ve only been playing for a week now; couldn’t even lift my third finger at first, but now I can move it just as independently as my first finger. It’s definitely improved my chord changing too, and in such little time. Thank you!!!
Woo hoo that's so awesome!!!
This comment really motivates me to do this exercise more
@@ananttiwari1337 haha same
yooo nice omoi pfp lol
Lauren, I'm an older student (63), and this exercise is wonderful for arthritic joints in the fingers. It keeps my fingers somewhat limber and as we all know, if the joint is moving, fresh blood flows to it and keeps them healthy! Thank You for this useful exercise..
Peter you're so welcome. Glad it helps!
Im 63 too. I started to learn 9 months ago. Lauren is most encouraging and helpful. How are you getting on?
@@wildalbalass4867 After the initial painful fingers and joints, not too bad. I honestly never knew there was this much involved in the guitar. I always thought it was extremely difficult, and some parts are but for the most I think it a person's love of music that carries them through. Barr chords are my biggest problem. I just can't seem to get them right. Are you doing well?
I'm 61, and I hope you're right!
@@RealPeterGunn Cut out all processed sugar foods, and your arthrictic condition will subside over time. Give yourself a one month challenge on this. Includes sugar in coffee.
Not only have I gotten faster at my guitar picking my wife has been super nice to me lately for some reason. She must really be proud of my improvement in my scales.
😂
My finger at foreplay became faster I don't know but it was really helpful.
Lauren improving your guitar playing and your marriage!
GAWD!! Can we not stop with the BS upside down tabs?! Up = 🔼
Down = 🔽. There’s not a single musician past, present or future; who didn’t learn the previous sentence before they ever picked up an instrument!
But just to be clear, great exercise! It’s now a daily. 🎶
Are you kidding?🎉😂
This is unbelievably helpful. I've started doing it a mere once a day, 15 reps per finger, because it hurt to do more at the beginning. Takes about 2 minutes total. I could see and feel results as of the 3rd day. Yes, the THIRD day. Mind blowing. Thank you Lauren.
Awesome!
2 minutes in total? It takes me 2 minutes just to put all my fingers in place! 😂😢
I’m a beginner player and this has made a huge difference. I struggle much less with the chord changes. Thank you!!
Happy to help! You're welcome!
So important! If this works, you're a hero.
I'm eager to get back into guitar myself, and I know one of the most frustrating things for me was the lack of flexibility in the fingers and was disappointing when trying to play chords with uncomfortable shapes.
So crucial to really have the basics down and free up your "toolbox/resources" first.
A capable and resourceful guitarist is a confident and less frustrated guitarist (as I'd say it).
I am a Bass player getting into guitar. One week. This is an exercise that yields results because it focuses on the mechanism of chord changing....it is a game changer. 20 is Plenty. Relax. No forcing. Thank you for this gift. 😊❤️
Well said! 100%
I'm still at it. This will remain part of my warm up because it really does work. Rock on!
Hey I wanna know hows ur progress? Going good?
67 y/o here. This exercise is great. Thank you Lauren for this! Very helpful. In fact I appreciate your lesson aimed at older players. Don't know that anyone else is helping older folks like this.
Glad it was helpful!
I watched this about three weeks ago and did great with my 1st and 2nd fingers, fair with my 4th and figured my 3rd finger was never going to work any better than what it did which was pathetic at best. I did every step as you described in the video, even assisting my 3rd finger from the 3rd to the 6th and 1st strings for a couple of days. After the first week all my fingers were working much better with the 3rd still a bit slower and today all four fingers are moving great independently of each other. This will be a part of my warmup and stretching exercises for as long as I'm around to play. Thank you, Lauren!
That's awesome, sounds like you're off to a good start. Definitely keep this in until you get those fingers moving faster
This practice has changed my life. I started playing guitar 7 years ago. But those 7 can't compete with these 4 weeks of practice. I'm flying on air. Thanks mam for this precious lesson ❤️💜💜❤️💜
Amazing!!!
This is crazy. I can't believe the improvement I've made from doing this. Has to be hands down, one of the best exercises I've found.
Awesome!
I LOVE this. I've been playing for 30 years and teaching 20. I've never seen this exercise. I'm happy to see that I had no issues with my 3rd finger but I can feel that it's more challenging. I can feel that burn on hand AND my forearm. I did start thinking about overdoing it so I'm glad you mentioned that. I will start sharing this with my students.
Glad it was helpful!
@@LaurenBateman If you count the 20 per finger as one set, how many sets do you think is good if you spread it through out the day? Is one set per day good?
Thank You Lauren as an older player ( 59 ) with Arthrose , from the Netherlands Europe , where the Winters are very cold , this exercise of Yours is an eye opener and very helpfull , so thank You again , with love and respect xxx .
You are welcome!
Incase you're wondering, this works. I started doing this three days ago and have slready noticed small improvements!
It's techniques like these that are incredibly underrated. Absolutely good medicine for your guitar technique that's going to have a pretty immediate impact on your playing.
Thanks!
I have been trying to force my finger speed for decades. So glad to have this tutorial - thank you, Lauren!
Glad you're finding the videos helpful! Thanks for watching!
That fretboard is gorgeous! Clearly a self motivated, fearless accomplished person. Thanks for sharing and wishing you continued success!
Thank you so much Johnny!
Great finger exercise! You've addressed another one of my challenges: my fourth and fifth fingers don't seem to want to stretch much. I will give this exercise a try!
You can do it!
I started on the electric at 17 but then sold it just a few years ago. At 52, I've picked up the acoustic, and I'm trying to do the many things I did wrong on the electric right. This is an intriguing exercise and I think I'll be following your channel. Thanks
Shane, welcome aboard!
I started to learn guitar a few months ago, chords are really intimidating. I can never do the switches on time and ive avoided practicing chords all together- I feel like this exercise will help alot! Will update!!
Thanks for watching! Yes! Finger exercise will help a lot! It will take some time but it's worth it
Honestly glad the youtbe algorithm recommended this video to me I've seen alot of things saying it will help you get faster but this is the first one that actually felt like it helps it addresses the problem at it source and I think I'll finally get out of my slump with this technique
Brilliant work. I had developed some of my own before your video and all your analysis of the fingers especially the ring finger is so spot on. I used to think that I was cursed. Now I know that it is normal. Your warning is also spot on. It does hurt pretty quickly. Thank you so much.
Starting this exercise right now. I am excited to see some results in 1 or 2 weeks! Thanks for sharing, Lauren! :)
You got this!
Quick Update. I start to see a little bit of a difference in my pinky, which was stiff and not really able to move around freely or even stretch up to the 1st string. My ringfinger, to my own surprise, was doing alright from the get-go. It feels easier to change chords now (which I also still practice a lot).
For now, this exercise does make a difference! I can also recommend doing the spider exercise and it's vast amount of variations, but the best I can recommend, is to play scales, for a musical approach. Choose a key and practice e.g. pentatonic, Blues and major scales in an alternating way. It's fun!
@@nope3581 any updates?
@@logjpg I don't do this exercise regularly anymore. I feel like, the more you play chords changes the faster you eventualy get.
I do variations of the spider exercise on a daily basis now, which feels great :)
@@nope3581 any updates ? is it useful for the beginner ?
seems like a great exercise to do when your brain is too tired to play complicated stuff but you want to keep improving.
Definitely!
i never skip finger day 😎
😂😂
I have such a skinny thumb cause i just use my finger
What helped me was a few variations. Sorry for textwall.
1. I put all fingers on G string, one finger per fret. I move first finger to top string, then bottom, then top, back to bottom, I do it 20 times, then back to G. I do this on each finger. For my first week or so, I had to use my other hand to help move a finger or hold a finger in place while another finger moves.
2. I curl one finger onto my palm. Then I slowly bend/straighten my other fingers. I have to use my other hand to help.
THIS IS IT! I WAS TRYING TO FIND THIS VIDEO, FORGETTING IT WAS YOU!! THANK YOU FOR THIS, YOU SAVED MY DEAD HANDS!! I've been telling everyone about this for about 6 months now, but I forgot the video. I bookmarked it and will post this whenever I need to. Thank you!!
Thank you very much for this exercise! I´ve been playing guitar for 19 years and never heard of this exercise befor. It´s great and i love it. I was training my ring finger with some exercise i created on my own:
Let your fingers touch your palm. Now raise your middle finger. Well... as i think about it, you better don´t practise in public^^ Lower the middle finger and raise the ring finger. Lower the ring finger and raise your middle finger. Do this for 20s. This shoud be enough. So 1 and 4 are always on the palm. You Raise 2,3,2,3,2,3,2,3... I call it cycling. After a few days you might notice that your fingers become more independent.
Yes! You got this.
I always light a candle when doing these exercises. Very relaxing.
Oooo. Nice!
ah, that darn ring finger: commitment, responsibility; no wonder it leads the pinky and the up-yours astray, but faithful practice leads to a harmonious union....thanks for the exercise, Lauren.
Good luck with it!!
Very cool exercise. I've been an on-off player for over 40 years and am picking it up again since I retired at 63. I want to REALLY be able to play before I... well, you know - we start thinking about these things when we reach into our 60's. You can just feel where in your hand this is working. I will add it to my daily practice. Thank you.
You can do it!
Wow ,fantastic !! I've been a guitarist for 49 years i will definitely be using this exercise, feels great!!
Rock on!!!
Great exercise, im a 43 years old beginner struggling with chord changes , hope this helps, by the way great content, subscribed
Thanks for the sub!
Not only is your video very informative, you actually take your time and explain
Thank you very much!
This is a fantastic tip Lauren. While I have developed great independence with my fingers in many styles, I now find after seeing the sheet music to Paganini's Caprices only recently I am considering how to apply personal practice techniques to attempt to learn some of those passages. I already can see how through your lesson I can extend my practice. Thanks for the upload.
This is awesome John. Keep up the good work.
Any Piano Player: "Oh really, you can not bend your pinky finger without moving your whole hand? Guess I can skip that..." :D
I don't play any instruments yet, but I can totally move my pinkie on it's own
lol fr tho
I'm right handed, and I've been playing guitar, strumming style, for well over 50 years. I can work my left hand fingers fairly well independently. They've been forminng accurately and fast chords for a long time. My right hand has to catch up and learn independent movement. Thanks for the explanation. I'm 72 yrs old and loving my 2019 Martin D-18 that I recently acquired in order to learn the joy of finger style picking. Thanks for your help. Great lesson.
Thanks for sharing!
Thank you Lauren! I've been playing 23 years and just recently decided to start incorporating exercises (self taught and unfortunately never really learnt any). I've been looking for something to work the tendons and this exercise works great especially part of my warm up to loosen my hands.
Take care ✌
You're so welcome!
Too fast... too much dialogues.... Didn't played...
This is definitely gonna be helpful to me. I started playing guitar back when I was 11 but i did not resume playing until I was given an acoustic guitar towards the end of the summer. I played for tips on the street from day 1 but it is freezing cold outside so i am forced to practice at home and not getting tips for it. ( yes I know enough chords to not totally stink). This is a good exercise. Thank you!
You’re so welcome!
Thank you for this as a beginner this is a great finger practice...no forcing and no pressure and after a week my finger moves much freely...recommend this one👏👏
Thanks so much! Appreciate the feedback.
I’m a 72 year old beginner and have been doing your 14 day crash course, which is great by the way. I already have some arthritis and carpal tunnel, but I need to do this exercise. Playing a “C” chord is a real stretch for my ring finger.
Carl, do the best you can. I have some students with arthritis that like to use a hand warmer before they start playing.
Thanks Lauren. I’ll give that a try.
Thank you Lauren. I'm 35 and just started playing guitar and I wanna say thank you for the vid.
You're welcome. Glad to help!
Lauren you are inspiring and I already feel I am learning by just watching you. Doing this to help!
Awesome! Thank you!
Thank you so much for this! What a great exercise. It's interesting reading comments from people who have been playing for decades discovering and loving this exercise. Makes me feel so fortunate to have access to as many experts and teachers as I could want through the internet--I can't imagine being self-taught 30 years ago. Thanks for doing what you do :)
Happy to help!
Fantastic! Thank you so much! Short video and so life changing ❤️
Glad it was helpful!
Not only have a gotten better at guitar, I got a raise at my job for some reason, I’m so lucky I found this video, my life has turned around ever since
Thanks for watching! Glad it helped!
I have been playing guitar for 30 years I do lots of exercises for better playing but this exercise is a game changer , has made my playing much better thank you very much ❤❤❤❤
Rock on!
I’m a black belt in kung fu and a musician. She had me at “I was a boxer…” and sure ‘nuff, she knows stuff. “Relaxation, breathe” Thank you Lauren. I liked and subscribed.
Thank you :D
I'm into JuJitSu love it and trying to play my guitar.
Lauren you are such a compliment to my teacher for guitar. You give only what is needed and never fluff. I love what you are doing in this extremely competitive market of guitar instructors. Keep up the great work and thank you. That's a great exercise and you are right - this is one you don't want to overdue.
I have one small request -> Father and Daughter by Paul Simon. I can't figure out that riff at the beginning of the song. It's definitely a scale but it's not obvious to me. Thanks (oh and it's a great song too)
Thank you for the recommendation. I get lots of song requests so I cannot guarantee that I will get to it, but I will definitely add it to my list.
Legend watching this without having guitar
Same here I'm wanting to learn how to play
😂😂
😅😅😅😅😅
I am SO HAPPY I found this video. I am older, mid-60's, played basketball in HS and college and beyond and as you can imagine, multiple jammed/dislocated fingers throughout my career. Fast forward to just 2 months ago and just starting to play guitar. I find my finger movements are...uh...strained. I have been doing a variety of other finger stretches and playing, well, attempting, the spider drill, which all have helped quite a bit actually. But, like you pointed out, my 3rd and 4th fingers are not cooperating as I'd like. They're like teenagers, they will NOT do as I tell them. My brain says "3rd finger, go to the high E string 3rd fret." It says "NO! I'm gonna follow my siblings, 1st and 2nd fingers up to the low E and A strings. Screw you!" Sheesh....teenagers! All joking aside, I am looking forward to adding this exercise to my daily practice schedule and I am very hopeful it will allow me to better move my fingers from C --> G --> D7 --> Em, etc. THANKS!
Definitely add this in. I played bball for many years so I know all about the jammed fingers. Take it slow but use this as a warmup and it should help a lot.
I've been struggling to learn anything on my acoustic guitar. This video on finger exercises made me realise that's where I need to focus.
I didnt start learning guitar to help cope with anxiety, I just want to make music. But relaxation and releasing tension is something I really struggle with. I think guitar will really help me with this. It gives me a positive motivation to relax and takes the focus off of my inner issues. Thank you for the lesson!
Happy to help!
Omgee i needed this my fingers are small and dont stretch 😂 ill be adding this to my daily practice
🤣🤣
Yes i can....
Strummer here 🙋🏾♀️ looking forward to improving picking and fills!
You got this!
@@LaurenBateman thank you! Ring finger getting better!
This video helped because I’m a starter
Rock on!!
Nice! I've been playing for about 21 years and I have never tried that excercise! Seems nice, I'll give it a try on my next practice session.👍
Rock on!!
Your exercise seems like genius. I am an absolute beginner. Thank you.
Blessings, Grace and Peace 😊
Thank you so much!
THANK YOU. I don't know what else to say. Have been playing for several years. The wisdom on the ring finger... wow.. that made everything!
Thanks for watching!
I should've watch this 15 years earlier. I saw, I subscribed & start straight today. One unique lesson I never seen before. Thank you
1:30 👀whoo. thanks for the tip!
Thanks for watching!
A lot of helpful tips! Great video!
Glad it was helpful!
I barely just started playing guitar!! 🎸I will start this exercise today, will comeback in a week and tell you how it went, comment to keep you guys updated!! 😁😁😁
You got this!
Hi Lauren, Went from 5 seconds to 5 minutes. fingers are getting hard.Yes the rum did help.Have a great day and thanks for all the tips.
Thank you for watching!
This popped up in my recommends and I had to watch from start to finish as the 1M views in 4 months STOPPED me in my tracks! Way to go!!!
Ha ha ha. Thanks!!!! This one hit it out of the park.
OMG! It’s so good to hear the that I’m not the only person having an issue with the ring finger. Here’s the kicker though, I was born with a short ring finger, which make playing guitar even harder for me. I’m going to start this practice tonigh when I get off of work.
You're not alone John. Not by a long shot. Keep going.
@@LaurenBateman Thank you!! I knew of this practice technique but was never told to hold your fingers if you need to. I did your drill last night and had some success with my ring finger. It’s such a bummer that my ring finger is practically the same length as my pinky finger. I will not give up!
Idk if im doing it right. Muscle in my wrist moves when moving my pinky. Wrist moves a tiny bit overall but not like what’s shown in the video. It also hurts but not a lot. Is the wrist supposed to not move at all or is it okay to move slightly as long as youre not depending on it to reach the strings?
Wrist would eventually move 😂
But what's to do is that let your fingers feel comfortable with the stretches , don't force ...
Ideally, the wrist should not move.
Oooo I forgot about this exercise. Learned this first in your 7 level guitar program. Time to add it back into daily practice.
It's one of the best.
As a beginner restarting after 10 years of not touching a guitar, this was one of the best videos to help
Thanks Lauren I have a little arthritis in my hands it sure is helping me I'm getting better I practice every day Thanks a lot - 😊
You're so welcome!
The beginning of this video is why I wish I broke my left hand instead of my right when I was a kid. I can move my pinky and ring finger completely independently on that hand.
Ouch! That sounds painful.
This is an awesome lesson. I asked a question about speed during your recent live video and this adds to the answer you gave me back then. You’re instructions are clear, useful and easy to understand. Thank you for what you do. 😊
Fantastic!
*I tried it with my girlfriend guitar and she said "oh fuck im coming home"*
Literally bro!?🤣
😂😂😂
😂😂😂😂😂
YOU ARE MY GREAT TEACHER AS AGUITARIST.
I LOVED YOUR TECHNIQUES VERY MUCH.
Lauren Bateman
[PS]
Awww thank you!
Just started doing this today. Feeling motivated with all these comments. I can't barely move down my 3rd finger, currently I'm just trying to down one string and it takes an eyernity
Great
Thanks for watching!
I knew you was a fighter when I seen them turtles
What does that mean, turtles? Just curious.
@Sheri... teenage mutant ninja turtles 🐢 ♥️
my gf send me this, i dont even play guitar help
Are you looking to start playing?
This is the best comment
I don't think she means the guitar
Umm I don't think she talking about guitar
Lol, mate, idk if she's necessarily talking about guitar
Thank you so much! I have been playing guitar for over 10 days and this exercise has changed my practice forever! Now I play the harmonica... 😊
Rock on!
Thanks, this will help me for my fretboard spider walk. With love from sri Lanka.
i bent my pinky and non of the other fingers moved 💀💀.
👍
Must be nice
I’ve been playing guitar for 45 years. Playing professionally for 0 years. This exercise is killing me.
You got this!
"Don't forget to breath" 💀
🤣🤣
Sometimes it's mad how long you stop breathing when you focusing so hard xD
Hi Lauren. again I'm 66 years young I've been working on learning the guitar for at least four years and my biggest Challenge is that I have arthritis of the fingers but I'm not a quitter with that said do you have any suggestions or exercise that can help me with chord shapes switching and speed that can help me with the arthritis issue
Joe, I would recommend using a heating pad to warm up your fingers before you play. Many of my students find that helpful. More frequent but shorter practice sessions depending on pain. Also, keep things simple at first to build dexterity and flexibility, then progress from there. This exercise can help. My spider exercise can also help. Check out my free crash course: www.laurenbateman.com/crashcourse
Till now many people have taught guitar but what I taught is actually the most important and primary one from u
Thanks for watching!
Patrick bateman
Exactly bro😂
If you are not breathing, you die lol
Ain't that the truth!
im so gay
Me too!!!
thank you! only been doing it 2 days and already seeing improvement in the ring finger. aahh, finger independence, many thanks!
Awesome!!!
Hi Lauren, liked this video. Good exercise. I will do this. Many thanks. Cheers Colin.
You're so welcome!
My fingers: | | | /
Thanks for watching!
😂😂
You are worth your weight in gold these are secrets professional guitar players won't share with you thank u immensely
Thanks so much for your kind words :D
this lady is a good teacher some people teach to fast and i dont understand so i move to another site
Thank you! Glad it helped.
Awesome!😲
Thankyou Lauren!
I have been playing guitar for over 30 years and no one has ever shown me this one exercise....so good!😆
You can teach an old dog new tricks!🤗
YOU ROCK!👊🏾
God bless🙏🏾❤
You're so welcome!
I have always taken the advice by Jamie Andreas about "sympathetic tension". Especially the pinky wants to move or curl in sympathy with the ring finger. The key exercise is to move the ring finger, keeping the pinky in an idle state (not fretting anything) and focus on NOT DOING anything with the pinky. Relaxing helps.
This exercise is more related to what actually happens when playing, more so than the one you have on display. Moving the ring finger up and down the strings while keeping the other fingers fretted is not something that happens in reality, so the muscle memory of that exercise doesn't transfer into actual play.
Very interesting! Thank you for sharing.