In this video, you will see the instructor introduce proper M stroke. Before the class attempts M stroke on the guitar, the teacher goes through a brief exercise away from the guitar. The instructor has the class hold there right hand up while making an "L" with index and thumb fully extended and middle ring and pinky closed in a fist. While maintaining the L shape with the thumb and index finger, the teacher then has the class open and close all three (middle, ring, and pinky) fingers moving from the big knuckle joint. The teacher explains that this is how a proper M stroke should feel when executed on open string 1 of the guitar.
The class is then instructed to get into a proper playing position placing right hand thumb or P on string 3, I finger on string 2, and M finger on string 1. The teacher then executes a proper M stoke on the open string 1 of the guitar. Although the M finger is the only finger touching string 1, all three fingers are moving from the big knuckle joint, inside the hand, straight back past the thumb. The teacher and students then execute several M strokes with robust tone together as a class.
M finger - Sequence
1. M begins on string 1.
2. The stroke utilizes all three joints of the finger in conjunction.
3. The large knuckle of the finger does not pull “up and away”.
4. M goes inside the hand and past I.
5. A finger and pinky move freely with M.
6. M travels at an approximate 45-degree angle through the string – not perpendicular to the string.
7. M has a natural “follow through” and remains comfortably flexed inside the hand following the stroke.
8. M is replaced on the string as a separate impulse following the stroke.
9. The wrist remains straight and does not lose elevation during this or any other stroke.
Once the fundamental M stroke is established, it's time for the student to master I-M Alternation.
Introducing proper M stroke technique to a class.