Now let's talk about the fretting hand (Full Version)

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Escribano -> Now let's talk about the fretting hand (Dec. 19 2003 20:29:41)

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!



TANúñez -> RE: Now let's talk about the fretting hand (Dec. 19 2003 20:45:48)

Man I need to create a left-handed flamenco guitarist forum. Only I shall call it
"ocnemalF oroF" [:)] Yes! that's more like it.

When you speak of your right hands I have to remember that it's the left hand for me and vice versa. In my next life I will be sure to ask if I can be right handed.



Escribano -> RE: Now let's talk about the fretting hand (Dec. 19 2003 21:33:00)

Hey, I tried - fretting hand, bridge hand etc.



Thomas Whiteley -> RE: Now let's talk about the fretting hand (Dec. 20 2003 0:03:36)

When I attended Catholic school, any student who attempted to use his/her left hand had said hand hit with an 18" ruler! Then the sister would state, "The left hand is the hand of the devil"! My friend Carol Harney got hit so many times she transfered to public school.



Phil -> RE: Now let's talk about the fretting hand (Dec. 20 2003 10:45:39)

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



Admin -> RE: Now let's talk about the fretting hand (Dec. 20 2003 11:24:06)

Good point and one I try to remember. I swap from open to cejilla (capo) on 1 2 or 5 to vary the challenges.



Melchor -> RE: Now let's talk about the fretting hand (Dec. 20 2003 12:43:53)

Hi Phil

I happens the oppposite to me. As I am not being watched by Big Brother[;)] I practice all the time with cejilla and find it quite difficult when I play al aire again. I have two weeks to redeem my self before Big Brother watches me again.[:o]

Un saludo

Melchor



Phil -> RE: Now let's talk about the fretting hand (Dec. 20 2003 13:23:15)

Melchor,
You're in BIG trouble. I'm going to tell El C that you've been practicing with a cejilla unless you buy my silence with a beer (or maybe even 2).

I'll see you soon to receive my payoff. When, exactly, are you coming?
Phil



TANúñez -> RE: Now let's talk about the fretting hand (Dec. 20 2003 13:40:17)

Melchor and Phil,

I would like to get to Spain in the near future and take some lessons from El C while I'm there. Being a zurdo I'm sure I'd have to take my guitar. Do you know if there are any zurdo guitars there available? It would be so much easier if I didn't have to carry my guitar with me.



Thomas Whiteley -> RE: Now let's talk about the fretting hand (Dec. 20 2003 16:32:59)

Melchor;

I have mentioned that I have large hands (I am 2 meters tall or 6' 7") and can easily palm a basketball. Many Spaniards I have met are about 5' 4", such as my neighbor Mariano Cordoba. Mariano has no problem streatching as far as I can, and he has smalll hands! [:)]

There are some exercises in one of the Oscar Herrero videos that has streatching exercises. They really seem like a good idea for anyone.



Florian -> RE: Now let's talk about the fretting hand (Dec. 20 2003 17:33:46)

EL Zurdo ,

I am lefthanded also , but i play guitar normal is kind of weird I write, eat with my left hand I kick the ball with my left foot, i play guitar with my right hand ( well , both but u know what i mean :)



Melchor -> RE: Now let's talk about the fretting hand (Dec. 20 2003 17:43:55)

Phil, let´s make it two in La Maceta but you are the one who is going to be in trouble afterwards when you get home[:D] Ill be in Jerez from the 6th untill the 14th of January. I guess the school will be closed the 6th, isn´t it?

Zurdo, I don´t remember any guitar for left-handed in the school. I think it is better if you bring yours. If you are going to Jerez let me know I would like to meet you there.

Thomas. Does size really matters? Sorry for the pun. I have big hands with long fingers but very stiff. I think it is a matter of streching.

Un saludo
Melchor



TANúñez -> RE: Now let's talk about the fretting hand (Dec. 20 2003 18:39:43)

Melchor, I'll let you know when and if I can get there. I'd like to meet you as well my friend. I'm going to try to attend a guitar building working given by Jose Romaillos in Siguenza this August. I believe we have the weekends off. I don't know what your work schedule will be like or if you'll even be anywhere nearby but maybe we can meet then.



TANúñez -> RE: Now let's talk about the fretting hand (Dec. 20 2003 18:42:58)

quote:

i play guitar normal


Florian, I too play guitar normal. I just play reversed. [:D]

I play guitar and write left handed but I swing a baseball bat and golf club right handed. Weird eh.



Escribano -> RE: Now let's talk about the fretting hand (Dec. 20 2003 18:43:45)

Are you going to look into accomodation so we can confirm the festival?



Melchor -> RE: Now let's talk about the fretting hand (Dec. 20 2003 19:24:48)

As I am going to Jerez in two weeks I was thinking to see the accommodation before renting anything in case it is crap. I´ll see what I find there.I´ll see a few people there and see what they´ve got. Vale?

Melchor



Escribano -> RE: Now let's talk about the fretting hand (Dec. 20 2003 19:35:08)

Vale, email us with details and we can decide while you're there.



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