|
Post by jonnymosco on Jan 26, 2018 14:34:49 GMT
Here's one on playing smoothly with the left hand, you'd think it would be simple: LH legato
|
|
|
Post by jonnymosco on Jan 30, 2018 12:24:07 GMT
Time for another. This one looks at the benefits of using a capo. Here's a bit from the blog: Why struggle with stretches? Even common chords can present difficulties in the first position: the usual culprit reluctant to stretch is the third finger. If you use a capo on the 5th or 7th fret, the frets are narrower and the arm is closer to the body making access so much easier. Over the months the capo can be placed on the 4th, then the 3rd etc., the small differences in stretches become achievable.
But, as usual, pin-point accuracy of fingertip placement is important - the closer the tip is to the fretwire, the less pressure needed to sound a note clearly. Using a capoCheers Jonny
|
|
|
Post by jonnymosco on Feb 3, 2018 11:18:54 GMT
This one may be useful: playing without tension. There's a really straightforward technique to relax the hands which will help us focus on expression and interpretation. Jonny
|
|
|
Post by vikingblues on Feb 3, 2018 14:04:43 GMT
The Playing Without Tension advice is very good! That fault of trying to play too hard often also kicks in when having problems with learning a piece of music, the difficulties resulting in gritted teeth, and muttered comments of "By God, I'm going to ....". Rigid clenched muscles then result in inevitable failure. Very useful advice in this series of your Jonny. Mark
|
|
|
Post by Cams on Feb 3, 2018 15:02:20 GMT
Tension is a big problem for me with bluegrass solos. I do practice to learn how to relax, but on stage it never really works.
|
|
|
Post by jangarrack on Feb 3, 2018 15:40:38 GMT
As a longtime sufferer of playing tension, this is particularly helpful to me and one of those things that once explained, makes me wonder I didn't discover it long before now. I was surprised at just how well this works and have also been practicing it on a piece very familiar to me in combination with the 'play it slowly' advice that was being discussed in a recent thread. This resulted in me realising that I had always been playing it using my left hand in a way that would make smooth changes virtually impossible, so although I am now having to relearn it in a new way, I really feel this has helped me to make progress.
|
|
|
Post by jonnymosco on Feb 3, 2018 20:39:42 GMT
Thanks Mark, Cams and Jeff. Glad you found it helpful.
It may sound simple, and a bit odd, but the tension of the left hand does seem echo the tension of the right hand: if the right hand picks hard, then the mistakes of the left hand creep in. So, it makes sense that the softer the right hand plays, the fewer fingering mistakes and if practised softly, then the LH becomes accustomed to being relaxed, hopefully even when the RH plays harder when performing.
Jonny
|
|
|
Post by creamburmese on Feb 4, 2018 21:40:43 GMT
I'm going to try this too... hopefully it's not too late to try it on pieces that are in progress already like this one where I have the hardest time keeping it relaxed and fluid...
|
|
|
Post by jonnymosco on Feb 4, 2018 23:17:07 GMT
It sounds great already creamburmese! The approach works well for already established pieces where hesitations, staccato and mistakes creep in - it may take a while, perhaps weeks of dedicated 'soft' playing for a relaxed LH to become second nature. Jonny
|
|
|
Post by jonnymosco on Feb 6, 2018 10:17:53 GMT
Here's one on using the position of our left elbow to help stretches to higher frets. Jonny
|
|
|
Post by jonnymosco on Feb 8, 2018 10:47:34 GMT
|
|
|
Post by jonnymosco on Feb 13, 2018 14:10:48 GMT
The LH third finger and RH ring finger are reluctant to move independently. This video is one of two which explores the compromises and tricks to help overcome this limitation. Cheers Jonny
|
|
|
Post by jonnymosco on Feb 14, 2018 10:25:47 GMT
Here's the second video exploring 3rd finger independence. There's no quick fix though, but this exercise, over a long period of time, should help the 3rd finger to move more freely. Cheers Jonny
|
|
|
Post by jonnymosco on Feb 20, 2018 14:28:51 GMT
|
|
|
Post by jonnymosco on Feb 24, 2018 13:30:11 GMT
Everyone should try this one, definitely not just for classical players. The tremolo is a fantastic RH exercise to increase finger flexibility and hand strength.
|
|