What balls should I buy? (Full Version)

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frhout -> What balls should I buy? (May 1 2005 21:04:07)

A friend of mine told me today he had seen classical guitar students squeezing some balls in their left hand (right-handed guitarists) to increase its strength and muscles. I myself have never done that although I notice I lack strength after a while when playing some awkward flamenco pieces even after so many years. If anybody uses this method, I appreciate your advice for which "ball" to buy.



duende -> RE: What balls should I buy? (May 1 2005 21:23:01)

Are you sure you nead a pair of new balls?[8D] im very sorry but i couldn´t control my self[:D][:D][:D]

Henrik



Guest -> RE: What balls should I buy? (May 2 2005 20:01:50)

Dear Henrik

I'm dead serious. If I know what it is, I'll probably buy a couple of them. I suppose it's something in medium-soft rubber. I'll try some music shops later on, or otherwise, sports shop, in boxing, judo or karate departments.



duende -> RE: What balls should I buy? (May 2 2005 20:11:12)

These kind of balls are often used to recover from injurys. You can call a doctor specialised in hand injurys. He might know good exersices as well.


Henrik



Miguel de Maria -> RE: What balls should I buy? (May 2 2005 21:59:18)

In my opinion, those things are a waste of time and can actually exacerbate the problem.

People who feel they lack strength actually lack coordination and balance. The strength needed to push down a string is available to most grandmothers.

If you use these balls or finger exercisers, sure you'll get stronger and sure that will marginally make some things on the easier. But as the real problem is coordination, you will really just be increasing the ability of your hand to impose tension ON ITSELF. It doesn't matter how strong you are, if you are applying that strength against yourself, it will always cancel out.

Learn how to play with balance, lightness, and precision instead. The best players are not gorillas but ballet dancers in the left hand.



veet -> RE: What balls should I buy? (May 3 2005 2:25:02)

Careful about muscle-building. The great composer Schumann ruined his hands by devising a contraption to bodybuild his fingers.

When I squeeze my balls, I do so with a very light touch...[:D]

Veet



flyeogh -> RE: What balls should I buy? (May 3 2005 6:41:42)

As a fanatic of the 'squeezing your balls' sport (soon to be recognised by the Olympic committee) I know how important strong hands and fingers can be. Recently I discovered that playing the guitar can help. This form of simple exercise (the squeezing of a nylon or metal string onto some flat piece of wood in a repetitive manner) can really beef up those vital muscles. Unfortunately I find this exercise does have a side effect. Most of the equipment I have found emits a terrible noise[:o].

And seriously, I have seen a foto of Juan Martin using a little bit of fret board with strings to practice chords etc. Is this useful (obviously when a guitar is not an option) and can you buy them or do you simply saw up an old guitar.



frhout -> RE: What balls should I buy? (May 3 2005 20:21:53)

Great. Thanks for the input. There is much for thoughts. "Squeezing a soft ball" is just something my friend mentioned and I think it might just be helpful, as I have never done it before. Even after so many years of playing, I still find from time to time stretching my muscles, when for example, pressing the second, third and fourth strings with your ring finger while doing a bar chord. Anybody has tried Paco Pena's Colombiana in his Toque Flamenco? Please let me know if you have some opinions regarding this piece.



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