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Until recently I have been playing with a raised right arm so that the middle of my forearm rests against the top edge of the guitar. I've seen vids of one or two forum players doing this but all of the top players seem to rest the length of the right upper arm on the top of the guitar.
Some pro players, when playing picado, will raise the upper arm so that it is no longer resting on the guitar top. PdL seems to be able to play picado both ways, i.e. with the arm resting on the top (check out tico tico on youtube) or with a raised arm.
One of the problems I have with the resting arm position is when playing arpeggios combined with picado. It feels that the right hand is coming in at the wrong angle (too acute an angle with the stings). To compensate I could twist my wrist somewhat so that it isn't in a line with my forearm, but this doesn't feel good to me (although I've noticed lots of players do this, including PdL). I prefer the arm to be more at right angles to the strings (so that the middle of the finger plucks the string).
I suspect there is a comprise going on here. I think resting the upper arm is the best way to get stability attack for rasguados and thumb while the raised upper arm allows a better right hand position for picado. However, I am uncertain about tremelo and arpgegio. Vids show that most players have a resting right arm position. Maybe this helps to accentuate the thumb.
One question I have is this: when playing arpeggios/tremolo is the right arm fully rested on the top of the guitar. Or is is raised up a little bit (perhaps not noticeable to someone watching)?
Posts: 2277
Joined: Apr. 17 2007
From: South East England
RE: Right arm resting on guitar top? (in reply to hamia)
Funnily enough I was talking about this with my teacher a couple of weeks ago. I was under the impression that it's an individual thing and will depend on the length of your forearm where it needs to sit to get your hand in the right position. But I might have misunderstood that completely. Any other suggestions from more experienced players?
Posts: 257
Joined: Apr. 20 2006
From: Sončno polje pri Večnosti
RE: Right arm resting on guitar top? (in reply to hamia)
I think it has a lot to do with anatomy. If you're short, chubby guy, with short arms, then I guess you have less problems with resting your arm. At least that's how it seems to me when I look at different players. Just take a look at Manolo Franco, Paco Cepero, Paco Pena,... I think Pdl doesn't have the longest arms either.
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