Three-Finger Right-Hand Scales

This document on three-finger right-hand scale fingering is written by Robert Guthrie, the professor of classical guitar studies at Southern Methodist University. This fingering system uses an advanced a-m-i scale fingering for right hand scales. This fingering system gives more fingering possibilities for fast scales in the repertory of the classical guitar and, in general, gives more agility and speed as well when performing scales. The a-m-i pattern takes some time to get used to, but the freedom and utility that is gained is well worth the effort.

In this document, Robert Guthrie uses the terms binary and ternary to represent the number of fingers used in the right hand based on the number of notes per string. For example, there are fingerings for two notes per string, three notes per string, and four notes per string (four-notes when shifting on one string). He also provides valuable details on the right-hand fingering for the turn-around when changing direction on one string that uses five notes.

The scales used in this presentation include a two-octave C scale that uses a shift on the third string and a two-octave F# Phrygian scale in one position, the guitar’s second position.