How do you develop strength and control in your left hand in the most optimum and efficient way? Well that’s a good question! Contrary to what some may think, pushing down the strings as hard as you can is counter productive to guitar playing. Not only can it lead to tuning problems, it could lead to unecessary stress on your hands and the dreaded carpal tunnel syndrome.
The secret is to put just enough pressure on the string to get the desired pure sound.
Here’s how you learn to do it…
- Constantly play any note on the low E string (we will use a G on the 3rd fret)
- Slowly release the pressure of the note until it starts to buzz and become muted
- Now, apply just a little more pressure to the finger so the note rings clear again
- See how well you can control the pressure of your finger to keep the note ringing.
- Repeat with all fingers.
- Repeat with all strings.
You should notice that the finger is not pushing as hard as it was at the very start of the exercise, which is what you want to see happen from this exercise.
Most often the pressure that we put the on our fingers to play a note is around two times the amount that is needed.
This should take around 5 to 10 minutes to do. And with practice, you will experience the relaxation top gutar players emphasize on having to be able to execute the elite techniques and licks.
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9 responses so far ↓
1 Benjamain // Mar 28, 2008 at 12:10 pm
A very Interesting article !!!
I hurt my left wrist few days ago (during legato exercices I think) and maybe it’s because of that. I will put this exercice in practice as soon as possible !
Thanx ^^
2 jimmy mac // Mar 28, 2008 at 1:48 pm
Wow! Here’s where understanding the physiology of the hand and wrist will save you from yourself and your absurd relationship with guitar playing and guitar masturbation.
Does practice make perfect all the time?
The wrist is a complicated joint complex consisting of the multiple articulations of the eight carpal bones with the distal radius, the structures of the TFCC, (triangular fibrocartilage complex ) the metacarpals, and each other. Having a personal history with hand and wrist neurological issues and realizing what i practice and how long i practice had a profound impact on my joint health,and has increased my respect for my limitations. Over-practicing is just plain unhealthy.
Playing music is healthy. If your hand hurts then something is wrong, stop what you’re doing and evaluate what movements are causing the pain. To proceed a repetitive pattern of mechanical exercises in pain is detrimental in so many ways it exceeds the scope of the article’s intention. I can tell you this, there is a balance in mind and body that all the practice and hand motion in the world will not compensate for. Learning from a good teacher proper hand position and attentive study habits will help you overcome the mechanical challenges of not only being a good guitarist but a confident musician. Remember, the “right” can be impacted too. Check out what Leo Kottke learned , the hard way, what incorrect playing habits did to him.
peace and remember its only entertainment.
shalom
-jimmy
3 Riley // Mar 28, 2008 at 7:05 pm
One tip I picked up from something I read, was to practice while watching TV (obviously not all the time). This way you kind of zone out and don’t try real hard, and end up very relaxed and able to pull off all kinds of stuff you couldn’t if you were all tensed up.
4 Jeff // Mar 28, 2008 at 7:08 pm
Yeah I have actually heard that too Riley. I think Steve Lukather mentioned that in an interview some time.
5 Bob H // Mar 30, 2008 at 7:35 am
I litterally have grooves in my finger tips from playing and that can cause problems. This condition has driven me NUTS! Thanks for teaching me the “correct” way …
Please keep the advice coming!
6 Bob H // Mar 30, 2008 at 7:41 am
Hey Riley;
Try playing while your wife keeps interupting with simple questions or comments while you practice … believe me, her intrusions are NOT music related. When you actually have to respond to another stimulous around you and not miss a note, takes one up to Level 5, if you know what I mean. LOL!
7 Hero // Mar 30, 2008 at 10:15 am
I usually practice while talking to my band mates and stuff… Being relaxed enough to play anything and say or sing anything was my main goal as a musician.. I learned a long time ago that pressing too hard wasn’t a good thing.. And it’s helped me to be a far better musician…
8 JB // Sep 27, 2008 at 7:14 am
Hej!
My main instrument is not guitar but cello,and i often use cello technique on the guitar.we haven’t got frets,so we’ve got to produce our own notes,and if you press too hard the intonation becomes false…
I already know all of this,but i’m glad guitarist are taught here how to get the best result with the less effort!
9 JB // Sep 27, 2008 at 11:26 am
Just forgot to add…
I was taught that when the fingers are on the string,they are resting,and when you lift a finger,then it’s working!
People always think it’s when the fingers are hitting the strings that the hand works.
Fake!
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