'Resting' thumb in tremolo? (Full Version)

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britguy -> 'Resting' thumb in tremolo? (May 15 2012 13:21:10)

I'm sure this question must have been asked before. But do you really HAVE to rest the thumb playing (4 finger) tremolo?

Despite (many) years of trying I never seem to be able to achieve a really nice smooth tremolo. However, I do find I can play a much cleaner, smoother tremolo with a "free" thumb.

Recently I've been trying to work on my tremolo again ( I get this urge every year or so) and - despite hours of trying - am still finding it very awkward and jerky trying to rest the thumb - so I'm sort of giving up on trying it that way and concentrating on playing with free thumb.

Am I doomed to forever playing poor tremolo using the free thumb? Is it really essential to 'rest' the thumb to play good tremolo?

Love to hear your comments, advice, etc.



Ricardo -> RE: 'Resting' thumb in tremolo? (May 15 2012 14:00:45)

No you don't have to, in fact many players don't. But by giving up, you are missing out on the feeling of it. Allow me to say a small word to describe how to do it.

Hold a chord, like E say. Now do fingers normal fast speed like this, iami, leave your thumb on the 6th string then let it fall down to the A string, sounding the 6th. Hold your thumb there for a second or two, feel the security. Now do this:
iamiP...........again hold the thumb down this time having played the 5th string you are rested on the 4th. Now reset on 6th and do it again:

iamiP............wait and again......iamiP....(reset)....iamiP......iamiP.....iamiP....iamiP...iamiP..iamiP.iamiP etc, slowly closing the gap until there is no gap...unless you want one which is actually ok.



BarkellWH -> RE: 'Resting' thumb in tremolo? (May 15 2012 15:22:16)

In addition to Ricardo's good advice, I would add that it helps to have a strong thumb stroke on the basses. My instructor in Washington, DC, Paco de Malaga, taught me that a strong thumb stroke on the basses automatically makes for a strong tremolo on the trebles. And in my case, it also helps in maintaining a dead-on steady Piami, Piami, Piami.

Cheers,

Bill



Arash -> RE: 'Resting' thumb in tremolo? (May 15 2012 15:35:05)

I think Jason for instance doesn't rest the thumb on the strings.
So yeah its possible and ok.

But i have also experienced that (after geting used to it), resting the thumb gives me more secure position and feel.

But like you, it was difficult to change the habbit.

For instance i was practicing the tremolo from Paco's Rio de la Miel, and it took me like forever to change the habbit and sound ok at the same time.

But i now i like it



Anders Eliasson -> RE: 'Resting' thumb in tremolo? (May 15 2012 15:40:35)

Barkell´s response makes a lot of sense. When doing rest strokes with the thumb, you have it as a kind of counter force for the other fingers. When doing free stroke thumb, its just out in the air.



tri7/5 -> RE: 'Resting' thumb in tremolo? (May 15 2012 16:20:39)

Good thread, I actually have no idea what I do since I don't think about it. I can see how resting your thumb would give you better control when hitting a root note.



Elie -> RE: 'Resting' thumb in tremolo? (May 15 2012 16:45:14)

yeah I have the same issue ... Resting thumb tremolo is very annoying to me [:-]



rombsix -> RE: 'Resting' thumb in tremolo? (May 15 2012 20:32:19)

http://www.foroflamenco.com/tm.asp?m=170821&appid=&p=&mpage=1&key=tremolo%2Crest%2Cstroke&tmode=&smode=&s=#170821



RTC -> RE: 'Resting' thumb in tremolo? (May 16 2012 0:14:10)

Ricardo:
Can you please post a video of what you are describing, maybe not to fast so some of us can see the proper technic?
Regards,



britguy -> RE: 'Resting' thumb in tremolo? (May 16 2012 0:58:24)

Gracias, una vez mas, amigo.

I tried your suggestion. Somehow starting with the iami and ending with the P seem to place a different emphasis on the sound and feel of the tremolo. Interesting! It also seems to be somewhat easier to maintain the rythm doing it this way. I think I'll persevere and see where it takes me.

Thanks again. . .



Ricardo -> RE: 'Resting' thumb in tremolo? (May 16 2012 1:50:02)

quote:

ORIGINAL: RTC

Ricardo:
Can you please post a video of what you are describing, maybe not to fast so some of us can see the proper technic?
Regards,

Ok ok. Just a short thing I am just making this up now using E F and G chords. THen I do a bit of solea Am, G, C7, F. Then the tricky pulgar and tremolo that occurs on the same string, in this case the B string.




RTC -> RE: 'Resting' thumb in tremolo? (May 16 2012 5:07:59)

Ricardo:
Thank you very much, very helpful.



El Kiko -> RE: 'Resting' thumb in tremolo? (May 16 2012 17:24:57)

quote:

Am I doomed to forever playing poor tremolo

Hey thats my job , not playing tremolo , famous for not doing it now in 4 countries...[:@]

Ricardo , thank you for that short video clip , so simple yet so useful and it really helps to see what is going on , I have tried amaP before but it still doest help ( me )
now I see that , at least at the begining of the video your hand moves down , quite a bit , for each P stoke ...


Maybe we should have a Crappy tremolo competition for all of us who cant do it and see who can improve the most in one month ,, playing the same thing ,,.like a before and after.....[:D]



rombsix -> RE: 'Resting' thumb in tremolo? (May 16 2012 17:40:21)

quote:

Maybe we should have a Crappy tremolo competition for all of us who cant do it and see who can improve the most in one month ,, playing the same thing ,,.like a before and after.....


Better yet, a competition where we see how much worse one can get in a month's time. [8D]



Arash -> RE: 'Resting' thumb in tremolo? (May 16 2012 17:53:17)

quote:

ORIGINAL: RTC

Ricardo:
Can you please post a video of what you are describing, maybe not to fast so some of us can see the proper technic?
Regards,


Here is the fast one [:D]
@ 2:15




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