I created these five etudes in 1985 to address specific challenges I was encountering in my own playing. Some of these were universal issues that many guitarists face; others were particular to my own weaknesses. Among the challenges I set out to tackle were:
- Alternate picking
- Left-hand strength, dexterity, and speed
- Picking across strings—both adjacent and non-adjacent
- Synchronization between the hands
While I do recommend learning these etudes, I encourage you even more to reflect on your own weaknesses and create your own set. Doing so not only helps target the skills you need most, but also offers a valuable opportunity to be creative.
Original Manuscript
