missclarktree
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Post by missclarktree on Jul 6, 2014 18:15:01 GMT
I thought picado would be easy. Alternation - it's what I've always done so what could be so hard about it?
Well, there have only been short bursts of picado in the Juan Martin book so far, but even so, I've found that everything seems to be breaking down as I practise
I think it's because of trying to achieve speed at too early a stage. The book keeps talking about 'typical' speed and you feel that it's not good enough if you can't get at least quite near to the speed on the CD.
So it's time to think again, and I'm taking a couple of week off 'El Arte' and turning Scott Tennant's 'Pumping Nylon', which has a section on building speed and improving synchronization. It's about slowing down to a speed at which you can maintain accuracy and control, and building in gradually longer bursts of speed.
Come to think of it, I believe Justin Guitar recommends something similar, so this would be applicable to any style that requires speed and synchronization.
Has anyone had similar problems and managed to overcome them? Do you think the above is a good idea?
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Post by vikingblues on Jul 6, 2014 18:54:44 GMT
I've linked a lesson specifically about getting the picado technique going. Maybe be a pointer or two in there that might help - though quite possibly all is covered in the Juan Martin material. Picado Technique VideoPicado does have a differing method of the way the thumb is resting and the fingers are coming to rest on other strings, so that might not be covered quite right in non-flamenco speed building exercises. Which would mean relearning the technique when you came back to it after building up normal picking speed - maybe. I can't play fast in any genre or style so I'm not necessarily the right person to listen to. A lot of it, as always, is doubtless hours and hours of practice and building up a muscle memory and an automatic pilot that works for the technique. Good luck with it Alison. Mark
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Post by jonnymosco on Jul 6, 2014 20:27:49 GMT
Once-upon-a-time a tutor told me to practice the chromatic in two ways to increase speed: both syncopated, first a short note followed by a longer note, then the second version a longer note followed by a short note... then just play it a third way applying just the short notes. Can't remember if it worked for me, but kinda makes sense.
I'd say work on it tirando and then focus on apoyando. Factors to slow the stroke down would be nails too long and finger angle as you strike the string. Also, restrict the finger movements (as always) to a minimum... repeat painfully slowly for a couple of hours a day for a few months.
Really don't increase speed too quickly, don't worry - more a marathon than a sprint when it comes to developing a technique.
Good luck. That Rodrigo y Gabriela bloke uses a plectrum!!!
Jonny
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Post by Mike Floorstand on Jul 6, 2014 22:39:19 GMT
Also, that Rodrigo I Gabriela bloke is actually two blokes. Although, one of them's a girl!
I might try that syncopated thing. Though I'm working on something completely different - trebles on mandolin and Irish tenor banjo.
Starting slow and building up speed is widely repeated advice, so that has to be true.
cheers
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007
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Post by 007 on Jul 7, 2014 10:11:48 GMT
I am not doing and Picado or anything remotely resembling this but I am going through a Mel Reeves DVD which Martin very kindly copied for me to try and improve my fingerpicking skills. One of the suggestions he makes is to break down what you are doing be it a piece of music or a chord run into small bite sized pieces and then move on to the next piece when you have mastered that one.
I am still at an early stage but it seems to be working for me.
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Akquarius
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Post by Akquarius on Jul 7, 2014 17:16:12 GMT
Has anyone had similar problems Yes. Though not with flamenco, but with jigs and reels. I asked my old guitar teacher what would be the best way to build up speed and he told me that old story of Steve Vay. Story goes that Mr. Vay starts practicing a new tune at a speed where he can say the word "Mississippi" between each single note. I've tried that (not mumbling Mississippi, but starting really slow) and it actually works.
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missclarktree
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Post by missclarktree on Jul 7, 2014 17:33:20 GMT
Thanks for the replies. Annoyingly, I've got no choice but to do nothing for a day or two. After just two days of the 'Pumping Nylon' exercises - approx. two 20-minute sessions, the base of my left thumb is very sore and I'm scared of ending up with yet another injury, so I'll have to rest it. It's my left (fretting) hand that can't keep up. As my hand gets more tired I can hardly lift the fingers off the frets. Hope there's something on telly tonight
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Akquarius
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Post by Akquarius on Jul 7, 2014 18:15:09 GMT
Hope there's something on telly tonight Rest your thumb, stress your ears
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missclarktree
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Post by missclarktree on Jul 8, 2014 16:13:00 GMT
Unfortunately I missed these last night but I'll save them for another night when there's nothing on telly. That'll probably be tonight.
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walkingdecay
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Post by walkingdecay on Jul 9, 2014 9:02:22 GMT
Thanks for the replies. Annoyingly, I've got no choice but to do nothing for a day or two. After just two days of the 'Pumping Nylon' exercises - approx. two 20-minute sessions, the base of my left thumb is very sore and I'm scared of ending up with yet another injury, so I'll have to rest it. It's my left (fretting) hand that can't keep up. As my hand gets more tired I can hardly lift the fingers off the frets. Hope there's something on telly tonight Sorry about your thumb, but when it heals I'd actually advise practicing while watching the telly! When I stared playing mandolin I had problems with timing tremolo. I was counting notes as I played and producing a really ragged sound. I mentioned this to a really good mando player at a festival, who told me the best way to get the technique down was to concentrate on the rhythm rather than counting. I took that on board, and discovered that by tapping my foot and playing slowly and quietly while watching the telly everything somehow slipped into sync and became second nature.
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missclarktree
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Post by missclarktree on Jul 9, 2014 19:39:12 GMT
Sorry about your thumb, but when it heals I'd actually advise practicing while watching the telly! When I stared playing mandolin I had problems with timing tremolo. I was counting notes as I played and producing a really ragged sound. I mentioned this to a really good mando player at a festival, who told me the best way to get the technique down was to concentrate on the rhythm rather than counting. I took that on board, and discovered that by tapping my foot and playing slowly and quietly while watching the telly everything somehow slipped into sync and became second nature. Funny you should say that. Messing about with the guitar late at night with the telly on seems to result in a better sound. Sometimes I think the conscious brain can be a hindrance, as in the case of recording. Perhaps a distraction allows a more musical instinct to come out. I'll give it a try as soon as my thumb is back to normal.
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walkingdecay
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Post by walkingdecay on Jul 10, 2014 14:16:38 GMT
Yep, one of the perennial problems with learning musical pieces and technique is concentrating too hard on the parts you find tricky. Overthinking a phrase often seems to make it harder to play and file away in muscle memory. I often find that if I stop playing something without the tooth grinding intensity, or even drop it completely for a while, I can then pick up an instrument and pull the thing off without trouble.
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