Fretboard watchers unite!

Stinsok · #1 02-26-2010, 05:36 PM

In EVERY photo of me playing I am looking at my left hand. Can't help it! Anyone else have that problem?

somedumbguy · #2 02-26-2010, 05:44 PM

Me!

I can play without looking, but for some reason, I end of staring at my fretting hand all the time. I have to think about NOT looking. Maybe its just because I am afraid to stare at the crowd.... I dunno

amadeusex · #3 02-26-2010, 05:49 PM

Well You are in good company ... Nothing wrong to focus with as many senses as possible to what you're doing while making music !

bassteban · #4 02-26-2010, 05:59 PM

Number, please.

Axtman · #5 02-26-2010, 06:03 PM

I have heard that a good thing to do is to practice in a completely dark room. How about forcing yourself to not look at your fretboard. Maybe you could rig up one of the funnel things they put on dogs to keep them from biting their wounds?

I really do recommend trying to break yourself of that habit.

billoetjen · #6 02-26-2010, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Axtman

Maybe you could rig up one of the funnel things they put on dogs to keep them from biting their wounds?

LOL - the guys at practice make enough fun of me already...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Axtman

I really do recommend trying to break yourself of that habit.

...because...?

You might look really ridiculous if the lights DO go out?

trunkshope6 · #7 02-26-2010, 06:08 PM

i can also play without looking for the most part ,but my band plays fast punk so its not too hard

insanitycalls · #8 02-26-2010, 06:09 PM

i also look at my right hand.. its just habbit

ddtkills · #9 02-26-2010, 06:13 PM

I don't have many pics of me playing but most of those show me looking at the fretboard or fingerboard. But I can play no problem while singing a song and looking out in the crowd so i don't know if it is a bad thing or not.

hdracer · #10 02-26-2010, 06:19 PM

I have the opposite problem, I watch my right hand pluck or pick the strings

M0ses · #11 02-26-2010, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billoetjen

...because...?

You might look really ridiculous if the lights DO go out?

Because if you are staring at your fretting hand, you cannot undress the babes in the audience with your eyes.

Axtman · #12 02-26-2010, 08:27 PM

I believe that you should be looking around at the band for clues on the song. Like the lead guitar player moving his headstock for those last power chords to end the song.

My problem is that I bury my nose in the music instead of looking around for signals from the leader. I only look at my hand when I move out of position.

When I switched to 5 string I actually found it messed me up to look at my left hand.

DrSmaggs · #13 02-26-2010, 08:34 PM

sometimes I like to watch my left hand... wondering "how am I doing that?" HAHA

riotorgun · #14 02-27-2010, 11:14 AM

i always look at my left hand unless im singing then i can easily play without it which is weird

actionpig · #15 02-27-2010, 11:18 AM

i sing quite a bit, so i have never been in the habit of looking at my hands. i giver' i quick glance once in a while when i play past the 7th fret.

beelzelboss · #16 02-27-2010, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrSmaggs

sometimes I like to watch my left hand... wondering "how am I doing that?" HAHA

I feel ya there man.

Exploiter8 · #17 02-27-2010, 11:22 AM

I like to watch!

X8

nsmar4211 · #18 02-27-2010, 01:37 PM

I'm a watcher.....trying to break myself of the habit. But when the choice is drunk girls or my hand, I choose my hand. (I'm female...and drunk guys don't hold the attraction for me that drunk girls seem to do to guys). I used to make fun of my teacher for watching TV at a jam, until I found myself doing the same thing. I think it's more of a "eyes not really looking" thing so rather than move them all over they just settle in one place. I swear half the time Im just watching the movement and not thinking of the hand LOL.

shadowtippy · #19 02-27-2010, 02:04 PM

I watch the fretboard a lot even though I have noticed that the frets don't move around all that much. In fact, they seem to always remain in the same spots.

**251** · #20 02-27-2010, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stinsok

In EVERY photo of me playing I am looking at my left hand. Can't help it! Anyone else have that problem?

I used to. Learning a little about playing Latin music & having my eyes glued to a chart broke me of the habit. I can get along now with a quick glance at the fret board, when my ears or experience tells me it's time. It just took a few weeks of practice & rehearsing.

You can change it, or not, whenever you're ready. FWIW, it's fun to see the audience while you're playing. Sometimes it's important to see the rest of the band, too. 8-)