Question about finger positions when playing in speedynessness

[Wicked_Dreams]

^_^

When I was working on legato, my teacher told me it's better to keep ONE finger on the fretboard at a time, so if I had the index and want to hammer on with the middle, I should raise the index right before I hammer on with the middle.

I read the same thing in one of Troy Stetina's books, has something to do with the fingers moving freely.

But to me, it's kind of difficult (And yes, I am working on it).

Generally, when should I keep my fingers anchored on frets? and when should I have only one at a time? Whether I'm playing legato or picking.

[GtrvVampyre]

Just to make sure im on the right page is this kinda what you mean

E|-----17------------------------------17
B|-----------20--18---17---18---20--

So why not just put your index down on the 17th and anchor it there? It makes it so much easier and faster (it does x.x) Its less movement and overall the easier and faster way. If this is what you meant then the reason your not soppose to is i guess doing it the otherway without anchoring entitles more movement. So your going to have to move quicker and on time with that extra finger, building speed, strength and extra co-ordination i soppose. In case you didnt know thats an Angelo Batio lick and when i first saw it i anchored my index across the 17th and blazed through it then i noticed he didnt anchor and moved all his fingers so its how im playing things now. I dont have a definate explanation cept for what i gave and i hope this is what you meant.

[Bizarro]

That's the technique that Brett Garsed uses. EricV did an article about that a while back but I can't remember which one... There are so many!! :)

I think the whole point is to hammer each note so it rings the nicest and sounds the best. It also helps to get a bit more "hammering" so it rings louder. I have to use this technique on some Van Halen stuff, like Spanish Fly.

Just the A string:
A|---5--7--3--0--5--7--3--0---
All hammer/pull-offs, no picking at all. If I don't lift off my pinky on the "7" I can't get enough force to make the "3" ring really loud. I can't rely on the pull-off from "7" to make enough noise. So it ends up being a hammer-on to "3" instead of a pull-off from 7-to-3...

Hmmm, I don't know if that's a very good explanation! :) Try it and maybe it'll be easier to understand than my crazy explanation! :eek: