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Now let's talk about the fretting hand
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Escribano
Posts: 6416
Joined: Jul. 6 2003
From: England, living in Italy
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Now let's talk about the fretting hand
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Of course you would expect a forum stuffed full of semi-pro/amateur/budding flamenco guitarists to talk about bridge-hand technique/rasgeos/picado/arpeggio/pulgar etc. but it's been a long, long time since we talked about the other hand (left or right, Zurdo). In the latest review of my playing I was astonished to see my left hand holding the neck! Let's be clear, nowadays, the hand does not support the neck, either thigh can do this. My teacher never pointed this out. I realised it was 30-odd years of electric guitar playing (supporting the neck, whilst standing up and drinking beer, I do not jest) and my hand has memory. So, by forming a clear arch between the neck and my hand, I gain an extra fret in reach (that's nearly 5 frets from the 2nd with the little finger off of a barre), clear the whole neck for access, use the tips of my fingers, rather than the pads, exert more pressure on my barres but set my playing back at least 3 months, doh! Before, I was finding a hammer-on/off from open to 2nd fret to 4th an ordeal 'cos I was gripping the neck like a tennis racquet. Forgive me if you are clean, but otherwise, take a peek and just say no!
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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |
Date Dec. 19 2003 20:29:41
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Phil
Posts: 382
Joined: Jul. 7 2003
From: Rota, Spain
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RE: Now let's talk about the frettin... (in reply to Escribano)
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Simon, Good topic. This post doesn't address the specific issue you brought up -- supporting or not supporting the neck with the fretting hand (right hand for El Zurdo ) -- but it does address fretting hand technique. After years of playing (with long periods of not playing), the single best thing I ever did for my left hand is practice wothout a cejilla or as they say here in Spain 'al aire'. I started playing like this about 8 months ago when I began lessons in Jerez. My teacher will not allow anyone to play with a cejilla during lessons and tells everyone to practice without it. I have very small hands with skinny fingers and always played with the cejilla on the 3rd fret. I told my teacher that it's impossible for me to play in the open position and he said, "Did you ever see Manolo Sanlucar's hands? He's got fingers like those little vienna sausages and he doesn't have any problem playing 'al aire' and reaching the frets." I was going to point out to him that I'm not Manolo Sanlucar, but since he probably already knew that, I didn't say anything. Anyway, I can now reach the 5th fret with my little finger while barring the 1st. I can't get the notes perfectly clear, but I'm a hell of a lot closer to being able to do it (clearly) than I was 8 months ago, when I couldn't even reach the 5th fret. Now, when I put the cejilla on the 3rd fret I have the problem of over shooting the fret and hitting the next higher fret when making a long stretch! To make a long story short, playing without a cejilla has dramatically improved my left hand stretching ability and overall strength. I highly recommend it, especially for those of you just starting out. Phil
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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |
Date Dec. 20 2003 10:45:39
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