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Technical Development for Guitar and Bass

by James M. Cass

36 pages; Black coil; catalogue #04-1022; ISBN 1-4120-3195-8; US$14.95, C$19.00, EUR12.35, £8.56

Technical Development for Guitar and Bass is a comprehensive manual containing the best approach available to develop strength, stamina, and agility for fretted instruments.

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About the Book      About the Author      Excerpts      Catalogue Information

About the Book

Technique is the meeting of the mind and your motor senses. When your brain sends signals to your fingers to perform an action and the fingers do not respond accordingly, you may have a problem with technical development. This can be overcome by mastering every possible combination of finger movement. You must train the mind to work with the body.

There are three basic patterns and several phases, which must be practiced daily. You move on to the next phase only after mastering the current one. When you move on to the next phase the current phase remains as part of your daily practice routine, so it is an accumulating process. As you move through the phases, the time spent working your left hand will increase as you add the next phase to your development. Since people are different in their natural abilities, the time frame on this procedure depends on the person, his/her development, perserverance and stamina.

The three basic patterns that comprise every possible fingering combination are:
1) 1-2-3-4
2) 1-3, 2-4
3) 1-4, 2-4, 3-4

With these patterns I combine single slur, double slur, barre strengthening, and isometrics exercises. Four supplemental exercises are presented to further your development.

For years I searched for a well-rounded book to develop techniques, but all I found were books on scales and useless patterns. Scales (including the CAGED system) can only take you so far, but fall short of improving strength, stamina, and agility in a systematic approach.

Developing technical skills will not be easy, but the concept is quite simple: Master all possible combinations of finger movement.

These exercises are hard work and will take a great deal of determination, effort, and heart. Stick with it and give yourself a pat on the back as you achieve these newfound skills.

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About the Author

I have played in many groups as well as performing solo. I was a guitarist for the Army band in the mid-1970's and studied the jazz guitar style at the Armed Forces School of Music in Little Creek, VA.

After many years of study and hard work, at the pinnacle of my career I developed severe tendonitis in my left hand. I had surgery to relieve the pain but was never able to play at a professional level again. I literally wore out my hand from years of practicing and not pacing myself. I urge you to take my lesson learned. Pace yourself and bear in mind that the same thing could happen to you.

The music business has been good to me over the years. It has had its ups and downs, but overall I do not have any regrets. If I had not injured my left hand in the prime of my career I may never have written this book.

Hopefully, this manual will help both student and teacher attain their common goal, becoming a better player.

Thank yourself for purchasing this book as you progressively see your technique improve over time.

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Excerpts

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Catalogue Information

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