Finger Stretching Exercise: 1-2-3-4 Permutations

Finger Stretching Exercise: 1-2-3-4 Permutations

The 1-2-3-4 permutations exercise is perfect for developing dexterity and increase your speed. That’s why many skilled and famous guitar players have it adopted in their regular workout.

Before actually trying it out, let’s discuss the rules that need to be observed.

Rule 1: Pick Four Frets

The idea is to pick four frets that will become the “anchor frets”.

Rule 2: One finger per fret

Then, your index finger, middle finger, ring finger and little finger are anchored to the four frets you’ve chosen, each finger responsible for one fret, i.e. they can’t play any other frets.

Let’s begin!

Sequence 1: 1-2-3-4

With putting your index finger on the low E-string 1st fret (and downstroke with the pick), then your middle finger on the 2nd fret (upstroke with the pick), your ring finger on the 3rd fret (downstroke) and little finger on the 4th fret (upstroke).

Then index finger on the A-string 1st fret (down stroke), middle finger 2nd fret (upstroke), ring finger 3rd fret (downstroke) and little finger on the 4th fret (upstroke).

Continue like this all the way up to the high E-string.

Sequence 2: 1-2-4-3

With putting your index finger on the low E-string 1st fret (and downstroke with the pick), then your middle finger on the 2nd fret (upstroke with the pick), your little finger on the 4th fret (downstroke) and your ring finger in the 3rd fret (upstroke).

Then index finger on the A-string 1st fret (down stroke), middle finger 2nd fret (upstroke), little finger on the 4th fret (downstroke) and ring finger 3rd fret (upstroke).

Continue like this all the way up to the high E-string.

Sequence 3: 1-3-2-4

With putting your index finger on the low E-string 1st fret (and downstroke with the pick), then your ring finger on the 3rd fret (upstroke with the pick), your middle finger on the 2nd fret (upstroke) and little finger on the 4th fret (upstroke).

Then index finger on the A-string 1st fret (downstroke), ring finger 3rd fret (upstroke), middle finger 2nd fret (downstroke) and little finger 4th fret (upstroke).

Continue like this all the way up to the high E-string.

Smart people as you should have figured out the fingering pattern. In fact, there are another 21 sequences (and altogether 24) other than the ones we have looked into.

1-2-3-4 Permutations Table

Use the above table as a practice routine and play every permutation each day. Stick with it and you’ll find it rewarding! Have fun!


Reference:
www.guitarhabits.com
guitarteacher.wordpress.com