Different Strokes Used on the Classical Guitar

• Rest Stroke - playing a string and resting the playing finger on the next adjacent string after firing
• Free Stroke - playing a string and following through in the air above the next adjacent string after firing

Example

Example Explained

The "i" finger is on the string ready to fire a rest stroke on the left.

The finger has just fired and the "i" finger rest on the adjacent string.

Notice that the hand is still in the ideal mid-range position.

Example

Example Explained

The "i" finger is on the string ready to fire a free stroke on the left.

The finger has just fired and the "i" finger has missed the adjacent string and followed through towards the center of the palm.

Notice, again, that the hand is still in the ideal mid-range position.

The joints during the firing of the string are all moving in the same direction (flexing).