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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 30 2006 21:21:07

Miguel de Maria

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

RE: Tremolo's 'a' finger (in reply to Guest)

Do you practice it very slowly every day? If not, don't expect to master it.

Second, my a finger is different too. Remember a couple things: one, the guitarist is an illusionist. There is no such thing as legato on the guitar, but a great guitarist can make you think there is. I have never heard a truly even tremolo; the trick is to make it sound even. You might want to investigate what you mean when you say "even", or if there are substitutes for that, that might give that impression. Another thing, it might help to angle the hand in toward the guitar a bit, when you play the a finger. I suggest spending a lot of time just playing a single note on the guitar and listening to the sound and experimenting. There is certainly no magic secret that will ensure that it sounds how you want.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 30 2006 21:39:21

ToddK

Posts: 2961
Joined: Dec. 6 2004

RE: Tremolo's 'a' finger (in reply to Guest)

You have to mess around with angle and the A nail as well, and
find a way to get an equally fat sound, as you do from I and M.

I play tremelo differently of course, BUT, im using my pinky.
Now if i can get a totally loud, even sound with pinky, A , M
then that should tell you, its simply a matter of whipping
the A finger into better shape.
The A finger is capable of much more than you think.
I use my A like you use your M. The tone and strength is there,
you just have to focus on it.

Try doing your tremelo excercise, and put a strong accent on the A finger.
Make that note the One Beat. Feels wierd at first of course, but
it gets the job done.

Go Slow! Start very slowly and gradually speed up.
This doesnt mean in an afternoon or two. I mean pick a slow tempo
with the metronome, and stay there for a few weeks at least.
Then inch it up a slight bit, repeat.

2 years is NOT very long to wait for a good solid flamenco tremelo, trust me.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 30 2006 21:55:30

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 31 2006 0:43:05

XXX

Posts: 4400
Joined: Apr. 14 2005

RE: Tremolo's 'a' finger (in reply to Guest)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Shroomy726
The a finger stands out too much, because of its sound. It is different somehow.

Lionel its hard to make an analysis over the internet.
First I dont think A is stronger than your M and I, so it WILL sound different.
If its not the weakness, is probably the shape of your a-nail.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 31 2006 0:52:50

ToddK

Posts: 2961
Joined: Dec. 6 2004

RE: Tremolo's 'a' finger (in reply to Guest)

quote:

is probably the shape of your a-nail.

Yeah, i agree. Its either your nail, or you need to change
the angle of attack of the A finger.
Sounds like you have Too much angle, and you need to
straighten the A out so its more parallel.

TK

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 31 2006 1:14:08

carlos soto

Posts: 126
Joined: Oct. 22 2005

RE: Tremolo's 'a' finger (in reply to Guest)

I think all sound problems when playing are due to a "bad movement", there's a nanomilimetrical optimal movement that can change how you feel the string and how it sounds(naturally you'll want to use the less movement and tension possible, but still have that optimal movement that holds nice tone and "easyness" to hit)
It can't be measured but I know it's there because I play better(sometimes) when I practice slow and so it's a memory issue rather than a muscle enhancement.

You can tell when your brain really nails it because it just flows effortlessly and your finger feels like it fits perfect in the string.

I think you should hit with A until the dessired sound comes and then repeat it until it comes natural and with no tought
That was my moment of metaphysical guitar practice

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 31 2006 1:36:40

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 31 2006 4:21:50

Miguel de Maria

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

RE: Tremolo's 'a' finger (in reply to Guest)

Lionel,
I know what you mean. My a finger makes a very different sound than the others. Actually all three make different sounds for me. I had an injury last year and I couldn't use the m finger at all, so I switched up my repertoire to use ia for just about everything. Well, I could use the m but not too much, because it was always sore and hurt.

For me the a finger tends to catch on the string due to its angle or nail... when it catches, it doesn't escape smoothly and thus it has a sharp, trebly sound. It also feels different, awkward and the string sometimes clings to it. This is a big contrast to my i, which will slip right over the string easily. The only solution I have found is to angle the hand slightly to the left when I play the a finger, and pull the string over the nail. It sounds awkward and I guess it is! David Russell actually gave this advice to do this on his 100 Consejos Book, so now I know it's not just me!

As for how much slow practice, you should ask Todd since he gave me the idea. I actually have been _only_ practicing slow tremolo now for a few weeks. But I am practicing pami for classical, which is a bit different.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 31 2006 5:05:09

seanm

Posts: 169
Joined: Apr. 5 2005
From: Halifax, Nova Scotia

RE: Tremolo's 'a' finger (in reply to Guest)

Try this. First off, make sure that you can make a good sound with your 'a' finger in the first place. Place you hand in your basic (argeggio) position and play the 'a' finger. Work with the angle, placement, polish of the nail edge, shape, length, etc until you are happy with the tone. Now move 'ima' from the 3, 2, 1 strings respectively to the first string (you should note that there is very little difference between argeggios and tremelo - tremelo is just an arpeggio on one string). Now slowly play the tremelo. Focus on the good tone you had before and your hand should adjust the minute amounts to create the tone that is in your mind. Once you can do this, try puting the down beat on different fingers (i.e. start with 'i' so instead of piami try iamip iamip, etc. Then amipi, amipi, etc). This will help you get control over the strength and rhthym of each finger within the tremelo. After a time, when you play up to speed and 'let go' your ears will be able to guide your hand to a more even tone and rhythm. Hope this helps.

Sean

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 31 2006 14:03:43

rickm

Posts: 446
Joined: Jan. 23 2004

RE: Tremolo's 'a' finger (in reply to Guest)

my classical teacher always has me practice trem staccato, like picado. another way of doing it is like practicing ras, 1) place hand in position, 2) strike with a finger, relax hand, 3 strike with m relax hand, strike with i, then the accent p note and repeat the process. It is important to relax the hand after the stroke. anothe way of practicing (again, classical exercise) is thinking of trem as a series of 4 notes (in the classical sense) and doing p, ami, stop. p ami. stop etc etc. you can also alternate finger strikes as p, mia, p ima, p ia. another trick is to alterantie the
strikes practicing mi, ma, im, ia etc whatever combinations yuou can dream up. a good complement is when your playing is someone says, your trem is even that is better than god its fast but all over the map. when you first start playing that speed seems to be most everyones goal and makes for disparate strikes. It took me awhile, but I alternate between classical and flamenco trem and find that I can get away with slower speeds in flamenoc trem, but then can put more embellishments in as there is more time. remember also that arpeggio is similar to trem so spend time with that also. How slow? slow enought to get it regular.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 31 2006 14:17:08

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 31 2006 21:56:33