LH Exercise 1 - the "Spider Walk" hav

This is a relatively simple little exercise to improve LH finger independence. If done slowly and deliberately, it will improve finger independence, help settle in the basic LH position and (though not obvious in the vid I made) it will help develop the  "vulcan salute" form of the LH.

In its simplest form, you begin with the 1st finger on the high E string in VII.  The exercise is a simple walk using 1-3 on the first string - followed by 2-4 on the second string - then 1-3 on the third string etc.

Be sure to...

- begin slowly - do not rush it - concentrate on independent finger movement.
- press harder than you would when actually playing a piece 
- maintain pressure until it is actually time for a finger to play the next note it is responsible for - i.e. DO NOT release pressure to prepare a finger for its next note until JUST when that next note is to be played -- only ONE finger should ever be off the fretboard at any given time (except when you hit the 6th string and are preparing to go back across the neck, of course)

To extend the exercise, you can play one (or both) directions across the neck and then move up or down one position.  I usually start in VII - move progressively up to IX or X - then progressively down to I - then progressively up to VII.

Can eventually insert stretches by separating the 1 and 4 fingers by an extra fret -- or insert a fret separation between 2 and 3 -- or maybe add more that one string change (i.e. 1-3 on string 1 - 2-4 on string 3 instread of string 2) etc.

Can be combined with RH work as well - for example - use both 2 or 3 RH finger picking patterns - rest or free strokes - practice RH color at the same time etc.