Developing Basic Rest Stroke

The rest stroke is the secondary stroke on the guitar. In the most basic sense, it used often for accenting, highlighting notes in multi-part textures, and single line textures. The following video discusses how to find the proper rest stroke position from free stroke position, mechanics of the stroke, and some hints on developing a healthy, dynamically relaxed rest stroke. I believe, since the rest stroke is often the first stroke students learn (because it is easy to get a big, full sound using rest stroke and ideal for single line melodies), it is where many player's right hand problems start. Specifically, maintaining too much tension while trying to control the return (extension) of the finger instead of releasing the energy (during flexion) once the finger passes through the string. Releasing the energy for both free and rest stroke is very important and will result in a natural return as well as a healthy right hand. The exercise in the video is effective for beginners to learn a natural return to the string as well as the play/relax or ballistic motion concept. It is also effective first step for experienced guitarists who have damaged their right hands through maintaining too much tension throughout the return.  The simple repetition of releasing the energy in the finger will help retrain and replace the tense, inefficient muscle memory in the hand. This exercise should be practiced with “a”, “m”, and “i”. For now, use the treble strings (strings 1,2, and 3) for the exercise.