Advice about thumb

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Advice about thumb

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Nahuel03

Posts: 24
Joined: Mar. 25 2014
From: Buenos Aires, Argentina

Advice about thumb

Hi everybody!
I’ve decided to write this lines because I’m carrying with a problem since a year, and I can’t solve it.
This is a bit complicated to explain because I’m not an expert writing in English, but I will do my best.
We all know there are a lot of different type of hands. Maybe the most different finger is the thumb. I’ve seen really weird thumbs.
Fully curved (Paco Serrano, Vicente), not so curved (PDL), almost straight (Gerardo).
Here is where my problem / doubt / begins.
I have a totally straight thumb and because of this I think I am doing something wrong with my right hand technique. Specifically with arpeggio and tremolo.
Normally when any guitar player (with a curved thumb), plays tremolo or arpeggio, this curve allows a very comfortable rest on the below string. (when we play, for example, P-I-A-M-I).
I found that because of the shape of my fingers, inevitable, my nail always get stacked on the string, my thumb is perfect line. I really don’t know which way I have to set my hand in order to have a proper technique, with a proper flamenco sound.

I suppose guys my explanation was not clear, but later I will upload some pictures of this.

If any of you understand about this issue, and can help, I will be grateful, because I fell this is really pushing me down in my studies.

Thank you very much.

Nahuel

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Apr. 29 2014 15:04:41

Arash

Posts: 4497
Joined: Aug. 9 2006
From: Iran (living in Germany)

RE: Advice about thumb (in reply to Nahuel03)

There is no thumb which is perfectly "straight" in flamenco, not even Gerardos. I have a similar short thumb like Gerardo.
If you have a perfectly "straight" thumb, then you are doing something wrong (bending the wrong joints or something ...) and you must strech it out, so that you have at least a little curved thumb.
If you just let loose your thumb, it wont work with any technique.
Also the way your nails are cut is important when you talk about things like "get stacked" .

Best is to upload a video to see what you really mean.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Apr. 29 2014 15:33:58

Sr. Martins

Posts: 3079
Joined: Apr. 4 2011

RE: Advice about thumb (in reply to Nahuel03)

Just file the nail straight from the tip to the part where it meets the flesh on the side.

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"Ya no me conoce el sol, porque yo duermo de dia"

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Apr. 29 2014 16:16:58

Nahuel03

Posts: 24
Joined: Mar. 25 2014
From: Buenos Aires, Argentina

RE: Advice about thumb (in reply to Nahuel03)

Thank you very much Arash and Rui Martins for your words.
I know my explanation is not clear.
I have record a video, maybe it can help.
I dont feel comfortably with that position. I really cant change it, because of the shape of my thumb. What do you think?

http://youtu.be/IvD9qtrOEfA

(sorry for the mistakes, i'm still a beginner)

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Apr. 29 2014 22:44:28

Ricardo

Posts: 15151
Joined: Dec. 14 2004
From: Washington DC

RE: Advice about thumb (in reply to Nahuel03)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Nahuel03

Thank you very much Arash and Rui Martins for your words.
I know my explanation is not clear.
I have record a video, maybe it can help.
I dont feel comfortably with that position. I really cant change it, because of the shape of my thumb. What do you think?

http://youtu.be/IvD9qtrOEfA

(sorry for the mistakes, i'm still a beginner)

Nothing wrong with your thumb, but how you are using it. You play tirando (free stroke) attacking DOWN with thumb vertical against the string. It should be more horizontal, AND apoyando (rest stroke). Try your tremolo like this:

http://youtu.be/s4od5cARAok

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Apr. 30 2014 2:48:25

mezzo

Posts: 1409
Joined: Feb. 18 2010
From: .fr

RE: Advice about thumb (in reply to Nahuel03)

his thumb looks like yours.
http://youtu.be/OPBLmqE5Fr0

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"The most important part of Flamenco is not in knowing how to interpret it. The higher art is in knowing how to listen." (Luis Agujetas)

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Apr. 30 2014 8:13:00

Dedos

Posts: 31
Joined: Mar. 5 2011
From: Madrid, Spain

RE: Advice about thumb (in reply to Nahuel03)

The straightest thumb I ever saw was on the hand of virtuoso Julio Vallejo. It was like another finger that didn't bend in any direction and was controlled solely by the large joint of the thumb - really incredible to see, but you can here and here also
You can't see his thumb in this recording , but his unbelievable speed will amaze.
In short, just worry about where the nail/flesh hits the string and don't worry too much about what it looks like. When it sounds right, it will be right. The big secret - RELAX when you play - watch Sabicas on Youtube .....with the sound OFF! Watch how utterly relaxed he is and what a big sound he gets...study, study....Un abrazo y suerte, amigo.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Apr. 30 2014 18:30:49

Arash

Posts: 4497
Joined: Aug. 9 2006
From: Iran (living in Germany)

RE: Advice about thumb (in reply to Dedos)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Dedos

The straightest thumb I ever saw was on the hand of virtuoso Julio Vallejo. It was like another finger that didn't bend in any direction and was controlled solely by the large joint of the thumb - really incredible to see, but you can here

To me it looks like his thumb might have been injured in the past.
It is very weak with a dull sound and misses some notes and some notes are played dirty (because of the "wrong" movement and also consequently also often no rest strokes) in comparison to the rest of the fingers (i,m,a) in his right hand which are very strong, clear sounding and good.

This video is somehow weird!

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Apr. 30 2014 19:55:27

Dedos

Posts: 31
Joined: Mar. 5 2011
From: Madrid, Spain

RE: Advice about thumb (in reply to Arash)

I agree that the video lacks something, alright. Julio told me he recorded it for an inlaw that was learning the piece from him {he teaches on the internet} and that he wasn't putting a 100% into it. I can assure you that when he's onstage and playing for keeps, his thumb is all business and is a strong presence. His thumb is naturally formed that way and he's had the same straight digit since I've known him {back in the early 70's when he was 14}.
This is the same guy that took lessons from PDL's father when he was 9 or 10 years old and later, with Paco when his father had something else to do. So, that blinding speed....what did Paco show him? Julio is also on PDL's "Entre Dos Aguas" album as one of the back up guitarists.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date May 1 2014 18:05:54