The TuneUp Program

Play the D on the 7th fret third string with your first finger and then the C two semitones down on the same string with your second finger, moving from the 7th position to the 4th. There are a number of things to note here:

• Ensure that your shoulder doesn't lift at all, be aware of any tension at the top of your shoulder as you move up the neck and eliminate it completely. To do this your upper arm will need to rotate laterally at the shoulder joint and your elbow will stay in the same position, directly below the shoulder, at your waist.
• You don't want your wrist to lock with this movement, there should be at least a little flow with it, like in the tai chi exercises, except that it's a straight lateral movement.
• Keep your wrist parallel to the neck.

Once you're comfortable with this one, and it may take a while, play the C with your third finger so that your shuffling back into the 3rd position. When you've got that down play it in the 2nd position with your little finger. You'll notice the lateral roll in the wrist more now and also the importance of keeping all of the strings equally accessible to your little finger.