OK, as I said in my intro, after many many years away I'm starting over from scratch. I want to work from the very beginning, and pay attention to the details to build the skills a true beginner would.
Since I'm going to work on my own for a while, there's no teacher to observe and comment on basic technique. My question: when playing basic lines in the first position, should a finger fretting a note remain anchored until needed for another note? How can I best build a relaxed hand position that will be economical of motion for more complex things later on?
I came to this question after working on a scale exercise. Example: In the key of C starting on low E and playing an ascending scale in quarter notes. Each note is an octave away from the last, like this : E - E' F -F' G -G' etc.
Is there a correct way to approach fingering something like this?
Thanks! (Told you I'd be asking beginner questions!) :wink:
Check out Jamie Andreas on the web she has a book out that might be of help to you.
"It's all about stickin it to the man!"
It's a long way to the top if you want to rock n roll!
Is there a correct way to approach fingering something like this?
You said it yourself... economy of motion. Use whatever works, and works to make you play well. Some of the best guitarists "break the rules" (whatever "the rules" are.
For example, when I know I have a Bm and D progression, I bar the 2nd fret of the top three strings and put my middle finger down on the 3rd fret of the 2nd string. There's D. To make a "small" Bm, I just put my ring finger and pinky on the 3rd and 4th strings, 4th fret, respectively. Back to D... take the ring finger and pinky off. Sometimes I make Em with my middle and ring finger, sometimes with my index and middle finger. Why? Because for me an Em6 or Em7 is easier if I make the Em with my index and ring finger then put my pinky down. Also, I have a song I play that changes from Em to Emaj (I guess he wanted th 3rd raised). If I use my middle and ring fingers to make Em, I just put my index finger down for the Emaj.
It is difficult to answer when one does not understand the question.
On fingerings for the major scale. Usually there are 6 fingerings, usually you use a finger for each fret (although sometimes you must stretch the pinky and the index). Three fingering consider the root note on the 6th strings, and the other three on the 5th string. For each fingering you can start with the root played with the index (1), middle (2) or pinky (4). So, usually each one of the six fingering are noted as 6/1, 6/2, 6/4, 5/1, 5/2 and 5/4 (string/finger).
Forget the Spanish, these diagrams show the six fingerings (the white dots indicate the roots):
http://learningbass.wordpress.com/2010/12/11/escala-mayor-i/
http://learningbass.wordpress.com/2011/02/05/escala-mayor-ii/
You must apply the economy of motion as Minotaur said. And you can practice the scales in octaves as you said (or in thirds, fourths, etc., up/down, down/up, or following different melodic patterns).
Practicing scales is important but you should also practice other things. I like to use books because they usually are written teachers with lots of experience and help to structure your practice and learning.
First- thanks! This is good stuff and I fully expect to use it. I've also found that Google is your friend. :) (As long as you take some time to discern the truly useful information from the "Look! I can make a YouTube Video" folks.
I actually found Jamie Andreas... I have to say there is somethingabout her approach that just doesn't click for me... and yet I did get some good ideas about truly basic LH Technique from her and her "walking" exercises. (I never knew I did that "flying pnky" thing but since I haven't played in 40 years, I don't think I've embedded it in the last month. No better time to start getting it right than now!)
Thanks for the tips Minotaur- I spend a lot of time in Cape May but occasionally I come North to Sandy Hook to harass OPF..."Other People's Fish". Maybe we'll cross paths some time.
And Nuno - I'm really a long way off from that 'archtop' goal... but since you asked... :mrgreen: ever see a Peerless Monarch?
Maybe we'll cross paths some time.
Maybe we already have. :wink:
It is difficult to answer when one does not understand the question.
And Nuno - I'm really a long way off from that 'archtop' goal... but since you asked... :mrgreen: ever see a Peerless Monarch?
A Peerless Monarch... beautiful guitar and a great jazzy tone! :D
