mark indigo -> RE: 640 mm scale length guitar (Dec. 13 2010 17:04:18)
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quote:
I've been playing guitar (classical, flamenco, and other fiddly bits) for NINE (9) years now. I think by now, I should have DEVELOPED enough stretch / strength to allow me to play nearly ANYTHING I should want to play (let alone a "silly" F add9 chord). Is that a correct assumption on my part, or do you think I've been going through these past nine years doing something wrong, or avoiding to properly exercise my left hand correctly to develop actual FULL strength / stretch? I know my post was a bit long, and the important bit was near the end, but I repeat, you probably already had enough strength to play the guitar before you ever started to play, it's not a question of strength, but of how you use/direct/co-ordinate the strength you already have. I had been playing guitar for 10 years before I got into flamenco (electric and steel acoustic, no classical), and I have been playing flamenco for about 18 years now. I am still progressing, still working on things, still refining technique etc. The cruel irony is that when you try hard at something, when you put more effort in, you usually increase muscle contraction (like if you want to lift something heavy you need more muscle power), but with things like playing an instrument, and especially stretches, you often need to use less muscle power/strength. You are probably contracting muscles in your hands to "make" the stretch which are limiting your ability to stretch, and the harder you try the tighter your hands get. Same thing with bars, I used to struggle with bars, and press harder and harder to try to get the notes clean. But all I was doing was making my finger really stiff and getting nowhere. When I relaxed my finger and just laid it on the strings I got better results. Same thing with stretches, you musn't force them. You need to make the stretch mentally and just allow your fingers to follow. What caused that cyst? probably unnecessary muscle tension in the first place, please get it sorted out via a doctor/osteopath/massage therapist and learn how to relax your hands more.
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