Gaining Total Finger Control (Valve and Emix Come)

[violation]

How in the hell did you guys learn how to do this? :eek:

By total control, I mean keeping the fingers close to the frets... like if you're going from your first finger to fourth, second and third are close to the frets, not an inch away.

Or if you're going from second finger to fourth finger your third doesn't come down and hit the fret, it hovers over it.

No exaggeration, no bullsh_t, I'm putting in 5 to 7 hours a day into this instrument, and I'm loving every minute of it... this is the first thing I've really struggled with.

For about 2 1/2 hours so far tonight (posting here right now is a break) I've been doing the little "light touch" thing, where you just lightly put your fingers on the frets as you go, not fretting them, basically left hand muting with fingers one and four down all six strings, and I've got to the point where the fingers hover fine... as soon as I apply pressure and fret the strings, the third finger will hover decently, but the second finger will go like an inch from the fretboard.

Basically, I'm looking for a way to "train" my fingers not to go this far up, keep them close to the frets when applying presure and fretting... like... how did you do it?

All helpful info or links or links to videos or anything is appreciated.

[emixolydian]

Tedious, meticulous practice...

Really, I never practiced doing that, the technique naturally developed for me. My style subconsciously became more economical. You can spend time working on it if you want, but I wouldn't waste a lot of time with it. Just start thinking about it as you play, slowly try to correct it, and it should become second nature soon enough,.

[violation]

Thanks... another question, if I'm going from first to second to fourth finger, like say:

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-11-12-14-----------
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Should I lift each finger off after the note is played? Like, say I play the 11th, lift the index off then play the 12th, lift the middle off, 14th, lift the pinky off. Or is it OK to do that with the last two notes and leave the first finger resting on the 11th?

I was watching Zakk Wylde earlier, he leaves the first finger resting but lifts the next two (atleast on the solo I was watching), then I watched some dude on YouTube and he lifted all them... another one didn't lift any. Is this just personal preference?

[emixolydian]

It really depends on the situation, for me at least.

If I were playing a melody where I was going to move back to any of those notes, I'd leave the previois fingers on the 11th, 12th, and 14th frets. I was doing a long run, I'd kinda glide over the frets and just hit them.

Yeah, its pretty much personal preference.

[violation]

Right on, thanks!

[valvetronix]

Just always remind yourself when your running your scales, or doing your excercises, that pulling your fingers far away isnt going to really help anything, just keep em closer...

And like Satch said, you can tell a newer guitarist, because they always push down on a note more than they really need to

[Don't Fuck With Me]

Yeah it comes naturally, IF you keep conscious of the issue while practicing.

AlLWAYS practice SLOWLY and deliberately, especially on new things. NEVER try to do it faster than you can do it right. Get it right first, THEN push the pace. And USE A FUCKING METRONOME.