First a clarification: this article is not about right hand positions. It's about position playing in the right hand.
We are familiar with position playing in the left hand. Most of us start playing guitar on the first position. The basic premise of first position playing in the left hand is; first finger plays notes on the first fret, second finger, notes on the second fret, and so on. This division of labor is extremely effective in simplifying left-hand fingerings.
In the same way, I advocate a similar approach for the right hand. I teach all my beginner students to play in what I consider, "first position right hand." Each right hand finger is designated a string to play. The "a" finger plays all notes on the first string, the "m" finger all notes on the second string, and the "i" finger plays all notes on the third string. The thumb plays the three bottom bass strings. Again, this division of labor is great for simplifying right-hand fingerings for beginners. It enables them to concentrate on the tasks of learning note-reading and developing techniques. It also prevents the "a" finger from being left out of the loop. All too often, beginners tend to concentrate their fingerings on the "i" and "m" fingers to the detriment of the "a" finger.
As the student progresses, exceptions to this rule will start arising, the "i" finger will sometimes have to play on the fourth string, and the thumb on the third string. But even in these situations the fundamental position of the hand is unchanged.
However, in situation where there are more complex arpeggio patterns, the student is taught the second and third positions in the right hand. Giuliani's Study in e minor is a good example. Here the "pima" group has to move to the second, third and fourth strings when the arpeggio pattern shifts to the inner strings.
Ex. 1 Study in e minor by Mauro Giuliani
The example above is self-explanatory and most people would change their right hand position instinctively.
Not so clear however are even more complex arpeggio patterns, as in the middle "piu mosso" arpeggio section in Villa Lobos's Prelude No. 2. The best fingering here, in my opinion, is one where the "i" finger plays the fourth string, the "m" finger, the third string, the "a" finger the second string. The "m" finger has to cross over to the first string to play the open e. In other words, second position playing.
Ex. 2 Prelude No.2 by Heitor Villa Lobos
The third position is utilized when the three-finger group has to move to the third, fourth, and fifth strings. Two examples from the repertoire include the opening arpeggio pattern in Turina's Soleares, and in Lauro's Aire de Joropo. Here is the example from Soleares.
Ex. 3 Soleares by Joaquin Turina
The above are just a few examples from the repertoire. There are of course many more pieces where even more intricate right hand position playing can be implemented but that's for another article.
P Hii
March 19, 2001