|
Q: I have rather small hands and relatively short fingers for a
lady. Unfortunately this causes me some problems by playing chords
where I need to stretch fingers. Especially I have some trouble with
my fourth finger (the little one) - it seems it's to weak. Could you
recommend me some exercises in order to have more flexibility with my
fingers. Further on I realize that the more I play barré chords and
the more I play with my fourth finger I have problems with my tendon.
If I ask my guitar teacher about some "warming up" exercises, he can't
really tell me how I should warm up. - From Danielle
A: The size of fingers has nothing to do with it. My teacher had
smaller hands than me yet could make wider stretches. It's a question
of how flexible your fingers are. Playing music is like finger yoga.
You get better at it the more you do it. The three important
principles are strength, balance and flexibility. Playing scales
slowly will help you get stronger.
Q: I'm 21and self-taught and playing classic guitar for about a year
I've gotta bunch of questions for you but this time I just wanted to
ask something for Shape of my heart one of the best tunes so far.
Between what frets do you play the 2nd part of the intro? Do you play
it on higher frets as you do in the beginning part or downstairs? I
mean the part which starts with D note and ends in F#minor? This part
is more complex than opening part with the A note 10 fret and B
string. - from Tommy
A: I am not sure exactly what you mean because both parts end in F
sharp minor. But I believe you mean the second part that has the
chords: D, A, C sharp, D, G sharp, F sharp. If so, the first D chord
(D, B, F sharp, A) is fingered as follows (from the low to high): 2nd
finger on 5th fret on A string. 1st finger on 4th fret on G string,
4th finger on 7th fret on B string and 3rd finger on 5th fret and E
string. I hope this is clear.
Q: I am getting further in to my study of classical playing & I am at
a point with my right hand m i a where I am wondering whether I should
try to stay with the three fingers on each upper string scenario or
just go with what feels more comfy which is mainly using m i and thumb
only, which is what I believe you play. I am not trying to train
myself to be a full on classical player, though I am serious in my
study. Would you recommend studying the "proper" playing way to train
myself, as once bad habits are made they can be difficult to change. -
from John
A: I think the conventional approach would be a good starting point
for you. It may seem difficult but it's there for a reason so I would
recommend you keep trying it. If this fails and you are frustrated
then I would either suggest trying your own way or employing a
teacher. Whichever way I urge you to do it slowly.
Q: I was looking for some advice on right hand technique. I have been
playing for many years having dabbled in most styles but continue to
return to more classical/jazzy influences. I can pretty much hold my
own so to speak left hand wise but feel I'm lacking solid right hand
technique. - from Mark
A: The best way to get a good right hand technique is to try and keep
it as relaxed as possible. And of course practice slowly with some
arpeggios and scales.
Q: I tend to rest my little finger on my right hand directly below the
sound hole. I find it gives me greater control over my picking,
however it would seem that this is unconventional as I've never seen
anyone else doing it. What are our thoughts? To rest or not to rest
that is the question! - From Gary
A: Good question Gary. The reason you use your little finger as
support is for stability. That's fine, but I use my forearm (when
playing classical sitting down) as a pivot point. When standing up, I
think the best way to stay focused is to keep your back relaxed.
Alexander Technique is quite useful for musicians.
Q: What do you suggest to me to improve this right hand technique that
the flamenco guitarists use when playing nylon strings, I don't to use
picks mostly so I want to improve this right hand technique where you
put the thumb to the bass strings and you play with the index and
middle fingers. Should I practise arpeggios or are there any exercises
to develop this technique? - from Süheyl
A: I am working on my right hand technique too. It could be a lot
better. My only advice would be to find some simple arpeggios and
practice them really slowly.
Q: I've been trying to play some tunes with fingers only (it sounds so
much nicer even on steel strings) but once I get playing I seem to get
my fingers/strings mixed up and play the wrong string. I've noticed in
various videos that you tend to keep your thumb on the low E string.
Is this to help provide a reference point for the other
fingers/strings? I know it will take a lot of practice/time to
perfect, but are there any tips you can suggest? - from Andrew
A: Fingers will always sound better than a pick. Or, flesh is more
expressive than plastic. I use my thumb a lot because it's good for
getting a smooth bass sound.
Q: I notice that you play the Rodriguez by resting it on your right
leg instead of your left. Doesn't this lower position of the fretboard
put added tension on your left wrist and fingers? - From Brian
A: I never liked the traditional way of playing classical which is why
I like to play with the fretboard pretty much parallel to the ground.
The left hand position feels comfortable.
Q: I am
playing nylon string acoustic & have decided I prefer the sound of
flesh so I am playing without nails. I am also starting to play steel
string acoustic, however it does seem to be easier to play with nails.
My question is how do you play steel string acoustic, do you use your
finger tips or plectrum as I know you don't play with nails, although
I prefer nylon string I am trying to develop styles on the steel
string as well. Is it a matter of compromise i.e. keeping a small
amount of nail on the right hand? - from John
A: The
sound of flesh on nylon string is the best sound I can get or the
sound that suits me the best. It makes for a smoother attack. But the
most surprising thing is how good no nails sounds on steel string. It
will make the guitar sound a cross between a nylon and a steel. I love
it. I am using fingers much more on the electric which also sounds
great. The best no nail finger electric players are Jeff Beck and Mark
Knopfler. They are the masters.
Q: I know
that you like playing without nails, and on Monday evening I broke the
nail on my right hand "m" finger and had to file down my other nails
to the point where for all practical purposes its almost nail-less. I
could have gone for acrylic nails, but I've never been able to get up
the nerve. Its certainly a different sound (warmer) but it still feels
a little weird. I'm practicing like crazy because I figure that the
only way to overcome it is to play through it. Adversity requires
adjustments and with hope, maybe a different perspective. - from Kirk
A:
I totally identify with this problem because I have been through it a
few times. It's not until around 1998 that I finally took the plunge
and committed myself to playing without nails. I am not saying it's
better or the best thing for you. But it suits me and I don't think I
will be turning back. The beauty of this situation is I can't suddenly
decide I want to play with nails because they take a while to grow.
But now, if I were playing with nails and then broke one right before
a concert, I would have the facility to pull it off without. Yes it is
a warmer sound and takes a while to get there (which one never really
does) but I believe it's worth it.
Q: Your
non-nail approach is very sensitive and dynamic. I didn't realize how
expressive one can be without using nails. I, myself, use a
combination of flesh and nail for folk and jazz. Using the nail itself
sounds too harsh for me. In fact, when I play with a pick I hold it in
such a way that the flesh of my thumb strikes along with the pick to
give a certain sound. - from Jonathan
A:
I totally agree with you about nails versus no nails. The sound is
much warmer and has more depth. But truth be known, the reason I
started playing without nails was because they kept breaking while I
was playing electric on tour. I would then be back in my hotel room
trying to play Bach using a right hand with a combination of with and
without nails. This didn't work for me and I found it quite
frustrating so I took the 'step' or commitment of re-learning how to
play without nails. It's the best technical decision I have made.
Q: I'm a
classical guitarist, and I have been a huge fan of yours ever sense I
bought your shapes CD. You have amazing tone, especially for someone
who doesn't use nails. I would like to start crossing over into steel
string electric and acoustic playing however I find the flat pick very
clumsy. Do you always flat pick your steel string electrics and use
your fingers for nylon? And what flatpicking exercises do you use? -
from Scott
A: Nowhere
does it say you must use a pick to play steel string guitar. If I were
you I would stick to finger picking. The only downside is your nails
may wear away due to the sharpness of the steel strings. To my ears
playing without nails is always better and more expressive. Flesh on
string as opposed to pick or nail is the sound I like.
Q: How do
you think about classical technique (fingernails, the position of the
guitar and the hand...)? - from Toni
A:
Position of the right hand is important with classical technique but I
don't believe you need nails to get a good sound. Your right hand
should be as relaxed as possible and once again, practice some scales
slowly.
More questions >> |