https://banjobenclark.com/lessons/finger-pressure-are-you-playing-too-hard-guitar-intermediate
You’re fretting your instrument too hard, and I can prove it. In this lesson we’ll learn why it’s important to examine our finger pressure, audit & correct our pressure, then end with some exercises to build finger strength!
Now when my mom asks me why I am still playing my guitar, I can tell her that I’m working out.
Ben, thanks for this reminder lesson. Back in the beginning of the p@ndangit I had some online lessons with R. Block and this was one of the hardest things to practice and learn but soooo valuable. It does take a bit of practice but eventually turns a profit.
Hi, I was wondering how this might apply to Mandolin where it seems like the tone and volume are affected by the action and if the action is too low, the tone of the instrument is compromised. I’ve definitely played guitars with very low action and they’re very smooth. Seems like with Mandolin they require more pressure.
Yes, the nature of the 2 string pairs, combined with short scale length, will necessarily require more pressure. It’s a balance that you have to strike b/t ease of playability and tone/volume…everyone has their own preference, and it will differ from mandolin to mandolin.
It appears that the pdf & Tef files do not download correctly? they appear as .xlm files
Hi @Russtul1 Thomas 
to @BanjoBen 's Forum.
Worked just fine for me. Try refreshing your browser. If you’ve been watching the lesson for a while sometimes that causes issues with the downloads.
Note you’ll also need A PDF reader such as Adobe Reader and TefView or TablEdit to open and access these files.
Thanks, I was wondering if the same audit technique worked with the Mandolin as well. Looking forward to seeing The Purple Hulls this Wednesday at Silver Dollar City! R/ Greg (TX Farm Cabin Camp 2024)
Great lesson Ben, even for beginners, to help further develop good habits/technique.
Will customize relative to beginner level on banjo.
Thanks again. 
Good Topic, Ben and thank you.
The guitar exercise makes good sense. When you get time, would you make a little exercise vid for us mandolin players, too? I am following your guitar exercise on mandolin and it’s helping me identify other issues besides finger pressure. In particular, finger position in the frets when moving from one string (set) to the next. Using the pinky, too. —Very happy with my membership. You’re an excellent teacher.