Left Hand Technique

[mpedace]

I read in a recent guitar magazine a Q & A to Paul Gilbert. When he was asked about how to develope a right hand technique like his, he answer that he find the problem with his students is that his left hand isn't as fast as his right hand and his advice to young players is to work his left hand technique. Any tips to improve the left hand technique, any etudes?
I read Eric's "Wake up Left Hand" but I want more!, How can improve my left?
Thanks!

[Crossroads]

Imho, there’s just no magic bullet … the only way is to practice a lot. Paul’s Intense Rock DVD is excellent as a set of excercises. But try to use good left hand technique -

1. Try to keep your thumb behind the neck as much as possible (ie avoid letting the thumb overhang the edge of the fretboard).

2. Position the left hand so the line of the knuckles is nearly parallel to the edge of the fretboard (ie as opposed to a sloppier & wider angle). You should get the correct angle quite naturally if you position the thumb correctly as in 1 above.

2. Try to bring your fingertips down vertically onto the strings (as opposed to stretching the left hand at sloppy angles and thus fretting with your fingers stretching flat across several strings).

3. Most importantly, stick to rule of one-finger-per-fret. That may seem awkward at first for some licks/exercises, but it’s the most efficient way of fretting successive notes - if you break that rule you’ll find many licks just can’t be played quickly & cleanly.

Did I say "practice a lot"? I mean a LOT!! :)

Ian.