This lesson covers the two basic types of motions with the left hand fingers to produce individual notes. The free stroke is most commonly used in Hawaiian Slack Key. Each finger clears the next lower string when playing a note. The thumb clears the next higher string. Rest strokes come to a stop on the next lower string for the fingers and higher string for the thumb. Rest strokes can bring out more volume and fullness which will make melodies or bass lines stand out against free stroke notes.
If your are interested in more lessons like this and further development, you can become a member of the Slack Key Guitar Workshop and get access to all the materials including sheet music and tablature for each lesson.