Left hand index finger problem

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fevictor

Posts: 377
Joined: Nov. 22 2005
From: Quepos / Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica

Left hand index finger problem

I have an issue with my my finger:

I find that it naturally wants to straighten itself out completely when I'm not using it, obviously causing it to be too far away from the strings. When I try to straighten it, I find that I can't! I'll do my scales with just middle and ring fingers, or pinky and ringer fingers, and the index is like a flagpole - completely straight. This morning I wrapped black tape around it to keep it bent while I did my scales, but when I removed the tape my finger straightened out again. I have no mental control at all! Its quite frustrating.

Has anybody gone thru this? Can you recommend any excersise?

Thanks in advance.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Apr. 30 2006 0:30:07

Miguel de Maria

Posts: 3532
Joined: Oct. 20 2003
From: Phoenix, AZ

RE: Left hand index finger problem (in reply to fevictor)

One thing that might help is to use total attention on the finger. There is a state of extreme attentiveness, where you even lose any attachment to whether you succeed or fail in your task, that may help.

I am trying to get rid of a bad habit myself. When I play long descending scales, my hand tightens up when I do a string skip with the m finger. I am trying to do it really slow and keep that correct sensation.

Another one is called negative learning. Play the scale and intentionally cause it to do what it naturally does. In this way you may gain control of the action and be able to sense it more easily. All these techniques require a lot of focus, with little room for other thoughts in your head.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Apr. 30 2006 0:53:22

fevictor

Posts: 377
Joined: Nov. 22 2005
From: Quepos / Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica

RE: Left hand index finger problem (in reply to fevictor)

Sounds good Miguel...I like the negative learning idea, I'll try it tonight. I sure haven't had any luck the positive way

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Apr. 30 2006 0:58:11

edgar884

Posts: 1975
Joined: Nov. 16 2005

RE: Left hand index finger problem (in reply to fevictor)

Do chromatic exercises and try to leave your left hand fingers down as long as possible before each note change.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Apr. 30 2006 1:13:11

fevictor

Posts: 377
Joined: Nov. 22 2005
From: Quepos / Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica

RE: Left hand index finger problem (in reply to fevictor)

Thanks Edgar, but I do that excersise all the time. I'm just now starting to do the chromatic scales without including the index finger, and thats how I came across the problem.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Apr. 30 2006 1:23:01

edgar884

Posts: 1975
Joined: Nov. 16 2005

RE: Left hand index finger problem (in reply to fevictor)

Yes but when you do it don't move your fingers until needed. Most people don't quite get this. JUst doing chromatic won't get the same results. You have to hold down your fingers.
So if your not using your index it still needs to float right obove the fret even though it isn't being played.
So left hand, 1234 next string 1 while 234 stay then 2 while 34 stay ect: it should look like a crab crawling up the neck.

Or this one works if that doesn't work hold the g string fingers down and move your index only. Then move to the next finger holding 134 while moving only your 2 finger. Make sure the hand doesn't move but the index goes from straight to bent.

---------------------------------1----------------------------------------
---------------1--------1--------------------------------------------------
---(2-3-4)--------------------------------------------------------------------
------------1------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------1--------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------1---------------------------------------------------------------

This will fix it for sure, the other key is to do it as slowly as humanly possible.

I hope I made sense on that.

Or legato only. All hammerons at slow speed.

------------------------------------------------3 5 6--------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------3-5-6--------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------2-3-5--------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------2-3-5---------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------1 3-5----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----1-3-5------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Focus on suspending the index over i'ts specified note(as close as possible)it won't work unless you do it at a very slow tempo.

sorry bro, for all that. it should help.

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May we find God through Flamenco instead of Angels and Demons

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Apr. 30 2006 2:43:28

fevictor

Posts: 377
Joined: Nov. 22 2005
From: Quepos / Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica

RE: Left hand index finger problem (in reply to fevictor)

Don't be sorry....thats great info! I actually always do the chromatic scales the way you described; not moving my finger untill I have to. But I'll try the other excersises and your suggestions. Thanks

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Apr. 30 2006 3:10:27

edgar884

Posts: 1975
Joined: Nov. 16 2005

RE: Left hand index finger problem (in reply to fevictor)

Ok just checking most people don't practice them that way.

Thanx take care man.

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May we find God through Flamenco instead of Angels and Demons

www.gabrieledgar.com

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Apr. 30 2006 3:44:57

Ricardo

Posts: 14889
Joined: Dec. 14 2004
From: Washington DC

RE: Left hand index finger problem (in reply to fevictor)

quote:

straighten itself out completely when I'm not using it,

When you are NOT using it? I don't think there is anything I have ever played where I did not use the index at all. Unless you mean a certain passage of music or exercise? You should use the finger all the time. For an exercise or certain chord, I would not worry so much about it. I mean when playing a normal piece or scale, it shoots straight out after it was used? But comes down again next time it plays right? I need to see a vid to be sure. Watch yourself play in the mirror, that helps me alot. I play a Bb9 chord in first position with open strings ringing, and I dont' use index with the traditional capo. The index shoots out deliberately as you described so it does not hit the peg.

You can also work on playing scales under the barre, where index is down always as the other fingers play. That is very common in flamenco. My index is up and down all the time.

Play this and tell me what is your index finger doing. It must play the second fret notes, but watch it in the mirror:

E-----------2---------------2-------------
B--2-3-5------5-3-2-3-5-----5-3-2--etc
G------------------------------------------
D-------------------------------------------
A--------------------------------------------
E---------------------------------------------

If it jumps back and forth between strings, but you can keep the rhtyhm even, that is fine. If it shoots out straight when it jumps, it will slow you down, so increase the speed and see if it starts to behave. Some would play this by laying the index flat across both strings. That solves the index problem. Try it both ways.

Ricardo

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Apr. 30 2006 16:03:11

Miguel de Maria

Posts: 3532
Joined: Oct. 20 2003
From: Phoenix, AZ

RE: Left hand index finger problem (in reply to fevictor)

Victor,
I just got a little success with my problem and maybe it will help you. A lot of times it is hard to "not" do something, so you should instead replace it with "doing" something. In other words, maybe you can't make your finger not straighten out, but you can make it curl or move where it needs to be next.

You may recall I have been having a problem with descending scales, my a finger curls up, tensing my m finger and sappings its strength and accuracy. Well, I just concentrated on the feeling of using the m finger when necessary--paying attention to that specific point--and the problem has started to ease. So instead of telling the m finger, "naughty don't do that", I gave it "something constructive to do".

By the way, I just got back from Vancouver a few days ago. That is one seriously beautiful city. It didn't even rain while I was there, and it was warm! The air is so clean and clear, and the people very nice. I want to move there!

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Apr. 30 2006 17:22:16

fevictor

Posts: 377
Joined: Nov. 22 2005
From: Quepos / Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica

RE: Left hand index finger problem (in reply to fevictor)

I've been away from the computer for a couple of days....Thanks for the advice Ricardo, I'll try your excersise also. I have seen a tiny improvement since trying the suggestions, but I must say that Miguels is the one that is helping the most. By the way Miguel, don't let Vancouver fool you; Its a beatifullcity thise time of year, but go back in January or February, then let me know how it went!! Seriously.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date May 2 2006 21:11:21