A problem that has caused picado shrinkage for me

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Miguel de Maria

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

A problem that has caused picado shr...

Since it is picado season for me, I have been working on my scales. The thing that seems to trip me up is the 1st string in general, and in particular transitions to the first string. I have always found it hardest to play fast on the 1st string. My middle finger just wants to grab it and doesn't want to play freely. So any kind of speed exercise, I can do it faster on the other strings and the 1st is always the slowest and "stickiest". It shows up especially is something like Panaderos Flamencos in the passages where you start on, say the 2nd string, run up to the A on the 1st string, then run back down. The biggest problem will always be on that first string, often the m finger will stick and trip me up. (The 2nd biggest problem is the string crossing to the 2nd string).

Well, any ideas?

https://pumasunleashed.files.wordpress.com/2012/07/shrinkage.jpg?w=600

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 28 2015 17:51:06

El Kiko

Posts: 2697
Joined: Jun. 7 2010
From: The South Ireland

RE: A problem that has caused picado... (in reply to Miguel de Maria)

picado season ...i never knew that !!

how long does that last for?... i havent got a licence or anything ...im gonna start working on it straight away ,, i thought it was still tremolo season ...

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 28 2015 18:39:30

Ricardo

Posts: 14799
Joined: Dec. 14 2004
From: Washington DC

RE: A problem that has caused picado... (in reply to Miguel de Maria)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Miguel de Maria

Since it is picado season for me, I have been working on my scales. The thing that seems to trip me up is the 1st string in general, and in particular transitions to the first string. I have always found it hardest to play fast on the 1st string. My middle finger just wants to grab it and doesn't want to play freely. So any kind of speed exercise, I can do it faster on the other strings and the 1st is always the slowest and "stickiest". It shows up especially is something like Panaderos Flamencos in the passages where you start on, say the 2nd string, run up to the A on the 1st string, then run back down. The biggest problem will always be on that first string, often the m finger will stick and trip me up. (The 2nd biggest problem is the string crossing to the 2nd string).

Well, any ideas?

https://pumasunleashed.files.wordpress.com/2012/07/shrinkage.jpg?w=600

sounds like nail shape of m finger

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 28 2015 20:15:23

Miguel de Maria

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

RE: A problem that has caused picado... (in reply to Ricardo)

Hmm. Could be, I have always had problems with m catching. i seems to work no matter how I shape it, m I have tried lots of things.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 29 2015 5:35:17

ToddK

Posts: 2961
Joined: Dec. 6 2004

RE: A problem that has caused picado... (in reply to Miguel de Maria)

you could be turning the right hand in (left) too much.
Try straightening them out.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 29 2015 5:52:47

Miguel de Maria

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

RE: A problem that has caused picado... (in reply to ToddK)

Could be, I do play from the left side of the nail and cut through at an angle. I'll try to attack straight on some more.

Also I have always practiced basically over the right side of the soundhole and am trying to move it for the bridge for stability.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 29 2015 15:34:58

Miguel de Maria

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

RE: A problem that has caused picado... (in reply to Miguel de Maria)

Todd, it does seem to help the finger get through when I play more parallel to the strings. It feels easier to balance the hand in this position; when it's tilted, the m pulls the hand out of position more so. Also sounds more flamenco (not always what I'm going for, but I'm glad to have found that sound). Will report back when I have spent some more time with this move.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 30 2015 15:21:15

ToddK

Posts: 2961
Joined: Dec. 6 2004

RE: A problem that has caused picado... (in reply to Miguel de Maria)

I have the same issue with the high E string.

I know you said the guitar support is not working good for you,
but something that has really helped me recently is switching
to classical left leg position, with the support set really high.
This really sets up the right arm perfectly so you're dead on
without having to shift the shoulder at all. Switch back
to right leg, and back and forth.

I'm also trying to keep my thumb towards the G or D strings when playing
the high E. For me, I find that the thumb on Low E while playing high E was
making me reach a bit and messing up my angle. That could be a factor for you too. Though I think this doesn't seem to be an issue for many players, I see plenty of people playing the high E with thumb on low E. But for me, lowering the thumb towards
the high strings is really helping. However, now I have to be careful not to anchor the thumb too heavily as my thumb needs to move across depending on the run.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 30 2015 22:34:50

Miguel de Maria

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

RE: A problem that has caused picado... (in reply to ToddK)

I still use the guitar support. Daryl actually sent me a new version with two tiny suction cups that has helped with the instability problem. He has amazing customer service. Although I do agree with you that I am obviously doing something to cause the guitar to push out like that.

I do like the neck very high when doing picado, sometimes I sort of shift it more to the right on my right leg to get the same effect you are talking about (I think). When I do that, all the string position movement comes from my shoulder. The fingers are then in line with my forearm. Works well, but feels clumsy and is a huge position change. Do you cross strings using the elbow joint?

I have always kept the thumb more or less flat on the strings, touching them on its side and just lightly. Lately I have been experimenting with resting it on the sixth string heavily, like Ricardo suggests. It might be good for me since I have such problems balancing out the hand in alternation (with im; ia doesn't get thrown out much). I do agree that it sort of seems to over-stretch or constrict my hand. I will play around with that.

I couldn't send you a PM; maybe your box is full or you have disabled the messages? It's funny because just yesterday I was thinking about getting in touch with you and maybe doing a Skype lesson or two to help me with this! :)

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 30 2015 22:56:06

hamia

Posts: 403
Joined: Jun. 25 2004

RE: A problem that has caused picado... (in reply to Miguel de Maria)

When practicing picado you should never anchor the thumb as it will prevent the fingers from learning how to move across the strings fluidly.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 31 2015 16:06:08

Ricardo

Posts: 14799
Joined: Dec. 14 2004
From: Washington DC

RE: A problem that has caused picado... (in reply to hamia)

quote:

ORIGINAL: hamia

When practicing picado you should never anchor the thumb as it will prevent the fingers from learning how to move across the strings fluidly.

It's not like weighing down a ship...but if you have to play bass notes opposite the fingers apoyando is a natural anchor.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 31 2015 20:32:26