Verbatum
Rugal's Panther
- Joined
- Jan 11, 2001
- Posts
- 3,873
Hello, and welcome to the first Neo-Geo.com weekly guitar lesson! First off, I want to begin by saying that since I don’t have any of you as students personally, I cannot asses your ability and level in music theory, or your instrument. Over time, I will tailor the lessons, and try to teach ideals that will aid the guitar player of any skill level. I hope my many years as a music teacher will help you reach your goals!
With that said, let’s begin!!!
Lesson 1: The picking hand.
Often times I am asked by students: “How do I pick faster, and play smoother?” Of course, that has plenty to do with the fretting hand, but often the technique of the picking hand goes ignored. Let’s talk about a few things to keep in mind to improve your picking hand:
1. Don’t support your hand by placing fingers on the pick-guard/body.
This is a habit that nearly all students do, and it’s the source to many problems. The problem with this is it keeps your hand grounded, and doesn’t allow it to move freely with grace. It’s like saying: “Leave the room, but keep one foot here.” Instead, relax your idle fingers, and let them fall into their natural curled position. You can rest your wrist on in-active strings, but make sure it doesn’t make un-wanted noise. The point is to relax, and keep your hand away from needless energy and strain.
2. Alternate your picking/fingers.
Practice a scale, and make sure you alternate your picking, or fingers one and two with every note you play. Playing in only one direction will cut your potential speed down by two-thirds. This is essential to solo work, plus, it will improve the fluidity of your playing. I can’t stress how important this is! If your habit has been one-direction picking: you might have to actually look at your hand, and say: “Up, Down, Up, Down” or if you are finger-picking: “One, Two, One Two”. Of course, not everything in the world of guitar is picked in alternating directions, but a great deal is! Picking in one direction can be a hard habit to break, but you can do it!!!
3. Breath
Yes, it is a physical instrument! Don’t hold your breathe, and yes, students do it!!! Notice your wrist getting tight? It’s probably because you’re holding your breath, or not breathing normally. Breathe man!!!!!
Ok, so grab some scales, and work on these techniques all week!!! Let me know how it goes, and post questions if you have any!!! Go forth, and play!!!!
-Verbatum (Paul)
buttrock buttrock buttrock
With that said, let’s begin!!!
Lesson 1: The picking hand.
Often times I am asked by students: “How do I pick faster, and play smoother?” Of course, that has plenty to do with the fretting hand, but often the technique of the picking hand goes ignored. Let’s talk about a few things to keep in mind to improve your picking hand:
1. Don’t support your hand by placing fingers on the pick-guard/body.
This is a habit that nearly all students do, and it’s the source to many problems. The problem with this is it keeps your hand grounded, and doesn’t allow it to move freely with grace. It’s like saying: “Leave the room, but keep one foot here.” Instead, relax your idle fingers, and let them fall into their natural curled position. You can rest your wrist on in-active strings, but make sure it doesn’t make un-wanted noise. The point is to relax, and keep your hand away from needless energy and strain.
2. Alternate your picking/fingers.
Practice a scale, and make sure you alternate your picking, or fingers one and two with every note you play. Playing in only one direction will cut your potential speed down by two-thirds. This is essential to solo work, plus, it will improve the fluidity of your playing. I can’t stress how important this is! If your habit has been one-direction picking: you might have to actually look at your hand, and say: “Up, Down, Up, Down” or if you are finger-picking: “One, Two, One Two”. Of course, not everything in the world of guitar is picked in alternating directions, but a great deal is! Picking in one direction can be a hard habit to break, but you can do it!!!
3. Breath
Yes, it is a physical instrument! Don’t hold your breathe, and yes, students do it!!! Notice your wrist getting tight? It’s probably because you’re holding your breath, or not breathing normally. Breathe man!!!!!
Ok, so grab some scales, and work on these techniques all week!!! Let me know how it goes, and post questions if you have any!!! Go forth, and play!!!!
-Verbatum (Paul)
buttrock buttrock buttrock
I shall practice until Yashiro and Iori even looks at with envy. wink I suck but away to my practice...
lol..