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Post by Deleted on Mar 7, 2017 17:41:40 GMT
'As much as is required for a string to touch a fret and sound without buzzing' , I hear you all shout out. And, I know this.....so why do I continue to use far too much pressure than is necessary? Causing finger joint aches and sore finger ends. Culminating with me putting the guitar back on it's stand until tomorrow. Any finger pressure hints folks?
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leitrimnick
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Post by leitrimnick on Mar 7, 2017 17:59:40 GMT
Might sound daft but try picturing a balloon, hook, wire whatever seems to work attached to your left hand. Not all the time but for a short while when you become aware of too much pressure. I use the same technique in practice when either the right hand gets generally too heavy or my wrist turns in (a very old but still not quite cured habit). As I say, it does sound mad but it works for me
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Post by andyhowell on Mar 7, 2017 20:11:51 GMT
Dexterity and practice. Runs and licks build that up. Remember it is also about saving energy. A light touch - in the right place is all you need. What do more?
I heavier touch often comes with tension and on stage nerves.
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Post by jonnymosco on Mar 7, 2017 20:18:59 GMT
Try playing with no pressure with the left hand fingers (known as 'sloppy' practice!), don't use the right hand. Focus on the hand being relaxed. Over the weeks build up the pressure until the notes sound. Perhaps just play chord progressions or a simple exercise like the chromatic.
It does work if you persevere - it's part of your whole body and physique being at ease and not tense though.
Good luck.
Jonny
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ocarolan
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Post by ocarolan on Mar 8, 2017 8:39:24 GMT
Jonny's wheeze, above, is a good one and deffo does work eventually, though can take a while, esp if you've been playing for many years.
Maybe you could also try some lighter strings for a few weeks and see if that helps reduce the "death grip".
I'm assuming that the guitar is set up well and doesn't need the strings to be any closer to the frets....
Keith
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leitrimnick
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Post by leitrimnick on Mar 8, 2017 11:34:11 GMT
A little bit of further explanation of my earlier post. Essentially, it's a visualisation technique, purpose of which is the same as that behind Jonny, Andy and Keith's posts...you have to train the left hand to relax. Part of that relaxation process is physical (eg don't strangle the neck) part of it is mental (eg developing an unconscious control of pressure). See, I'm not really mad!
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Post by andyhowell on Mar 8, 2017 13:22:03 GMT
It is relaxation, posture and all that — hence the Alexander technique. I'm not sure Keith's light strings are necessary — in many ways I prefer heavier strings for a lighter touch, especially on celtic stuff (though probably not with the country blues).
Style of music is probably also an issue. Barre chords tend to encourage too ham fisted an approach. I often get a bit tense and heavy handed with ragtime for some reason!
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Post by ocarolan on Mar 8, 2017 14:16:12 GMT
Andy, the point about trying lighter strings for a few weeks is that it emphasises in an immediate and tactile way that less pressure is required and can help with deliberate attempts to reduce applied finger pressure as it is more obvious that such pressure is no longer required. Once (if!) this becomes successful, the change back to the previously used slightly heavier strings will begin from a position of applying less pressure than before - the tricky bit being to maintain it!
Keith
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Post by Deleted on Mar 8, 2017 20:18:03 GMT
Thanks for the tips and advice everyone. Had a good workout today with positive results. Concentrating on what pressure is needed to fret and sound strings. Surprised to find that the thinner strings (especially the thin e an b strings) just require that gossamer of touches whilst strings 3 and four require a smidgeon more pressure. The bottom two strings need a bit of a nudge but I think their action may be on the high side at the nut! Placing fingers right behind the frets helps somewhat too. Fingertips just tingling rather than hurting at the conclusion of practice. Playing might be more fun now rather than (literally) a pain.
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Post by creamburmese on Mar 8, 2017 22:09:01 GMT
I have the same problem Stan. The classic exercise over here is to play scales (or a piece you know) making every string buzz. Harder than it might appear! Then (they say) only a touch more pressure is needed to stop the buzz. However personally I have failed to spend enough concentrated time on this yet - and still press way too hard. I think I would need to stop doing anything else and just do this for a few weeks to get it ingrained...:0
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Post by vikingblues on Mar 8, 2017 23:20:13 GMT
Good to hear you have positive results Stan as I wasn't going to be able to bring anything useful or helpful to the discussion - I've found the best solution to the problem of pressing too hard for me was to develop arthritic fingers. Probably not a good recommendation, even if it works very effectively.
But I did find lighter strings were a big help in developing the habit because I didn't feel that I was having to fight the pressure that standard strings exerted back at me. A guitar with a good set up helps hugely of course.
Mark
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Post by oustudent on Mar 9, 2017 7:44:39 GMT
'As much as is required for a string to touch a fret and sound without buzzing' , I hear you all shout out. And, I know this.....so why do I continue to use far too much pressure than is necessary? Causing finger joint aches and sore finger ends. Culminating with me putting the guitar back on it's stand until tomorrow. Any finger pressure hints folks? Search for some JohnRenbourn video's on You Tube and watch his left hand, his fingers glide over the strings, he never has anything fretted unless it is absolutely necessary. It won't explain how he does it but it is evidence that a light touch can work. Use it as an inspiration. I also think too much pressure is a build up of tension throughout the whole body, relaxation is the key and I have to confess that it is something I also need to work on. Fret the string behind the fret (Martin Simpson tip) behind the fret requires the least amount of pressure. Regards John
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Post by oustudent on Mar 9, 2017 7:47:00 GMT
Good to hear you have positive results Stan as I wasn't going to be able to bring anything useful or helpful to the discussion - I've found the best solution to the problem of pressing too hard for me was to develop arthritic fingers. Probably not a good recommendation, even if it works very effectively. But I did find lighter strings were a big help in developing the habit because I didn't feel that I was having to fight the pressure that standard strings exerted back at me. A guitar with a good set up helps hugely of course. Mark I moved over to Newtone Low Tension 12's and they do feel better, however as your strength improves they can become too light. They are worth trying and having some as spares when things are not working out as expected
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Post by walkingdecay on Mar 9, 2017 8:40:22 GMT
I know I'm a theory and technique bore, but I genuinely think that running through scales and exercises helps to alleviate quirks like excessive finger pressure. If you can get the finger memory working to the point where you can do the routines whilst distracted by watching telly or reading a book so much the better, as you're not working so hard that you over-emphasise.
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Post by andyhowell on Mar 10, 2017 9:16:45 GMT
Andy, the point about trying lighter strings for a few weeks is that it emphasises in an immediate and tactile way that less pressure is required and can help with deliberate attempts to reduce applied finger pressure as it is more obvious that such pressure is no longer required. Once (if!) this becomes successful, the change back to the previously used slightly heavier strings will begin from a position of applying less pressure than before - the tricky bit being to maintain it! Keith Yeah, but I'm just a masochist :-)
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