have not posted for a while and some stuff from me ...
When I was a child, I was taught ‘classical guitar’ I did my elementary studies exams etc and as a teenager, way laid with the distraction of rock and roll abandoned formal study, only to return to it intermittently over the last 40 years. I am now 60
In moving to bass, over 22 years ago I naturally played finger style with rest stroke etc, but also developed pick given my amateur interest on guitar
In recent months I concentrated on pick and gave the fingers a rest from bass for a while
But alongside that I went back to formal practice in classical and this then lead to studying elementary flamenco techniques with a teacher etc
Just this week I went back to finger style on my bass and it’s like, whoo......
I feel like I have new hands and my finger style bass is faster, more precise and more relaxed ....
In discussion with my current teacher and after I watch a heap of stuff on you tube I realise that the short period of 8 weeks on classical and flamenco technique at an elementary level has flown over onto my bass because I have improved on two things
Relaxation in learning movements in form, as compared to trying to force speed
And improving balance with better dexterity in my thumb and specific development of both the flexors and extenders in my right arm
So it is apparent to me that learning to use the arms, hands and fingers in different ways in context of guitars, will contribute to significant improvement in technique on bass, overall as compared to continuously bashing out the same repitive exercises in limited form time and time again ..
By playing rest stroke it appears that we invariably and primarily utilise and develop the inside arm muscles
By slowly developing things such as a rasqueado on a nylon string guitar the outside of the arm develops
Pepe Romero in his tuition explains that the speed of the stroke whilst partly dependent on attack, is also reliant in the ability of the finger to relax and be prepared to execute another stroke
The point being that the quicker the fingers can respond from a stroke, the faster the fingers can play ,,but this is dependant on the ‘relax’ stage of the stroke
Both, flexors and extenders play a part,
For those people who already know all this, then fair enough,
But for me, as late as it is in my life to have learned this , I feel it is ‘better late than never ‘
As a child I was taught well and that included the importance of developing a ‘relaxed’ Technique, the part I missed was the how and why....
I also now realise that I can only play as fast as my technique will allow ... that gor many people I imagine is stating the obvious ...
But for me it has been an important learning because it provides more options of what I will practice , and why etc .
I recognise and respect that it takes years of dedication to develop highly effective technique, so for me I appreciate I can only be where I am at ...
But in learning this and experiencing the benefits in reality I am a total convert to believing in these principles ...
Just as a tip also, an important part of my learning rasqueado is to be careful, few minute slow sessions each day as compared fast long repetitive practice... the tendons and muscles can be injured easily, so short sessions Are safer .... at my age, I am fortunate that I am not in a hurry so I am taking it slowly, but as I mentioned above, over a short time the difference and improvement is noticeable
So at tonight’s rehearsal, the pick is back in the pocket and I will run with my new found fingers ...
Also, my left hand is improved as well. One of the first things my flamenco teacher pointed out was that ‘most’ guitarists grip too hard on the left hand,
That we can get away with much less pressure if we think about it and apply ourselves .... and that has been a revelation for me as well ...
Happy playing to everyone
Ross’a
When I was a child, I was taught ‘classical guitar’ I did my elementary studies exams etc and as a teenager, way laid with the distraction of rock and roll abandoned formal study, only to return to it intermittently over the last 40 years. I am now 60
In moving to bass, over 22 years ago I naturally played finger style with rest stroke etc, but also developed pick given my amateur interest on guitar
In recent months I concentrated on pick and gave the fingers a rest from bass for a while
But alongside that I went back to formal practice in classical and this then lead to studying elementary flamenco techniques with a teacher etc
Just this week I went back to finger style on my bass and it’s like, whoo......
I feel like I have new hands and my finger style bass is faster, more precise and more relaxed ....
In discussion with my current teacher and after I watch a heap of stuff on you tube I realise that the short period of 8 weeks on classical and flamenco technique at an elementary level has flown over onto my bass because I have improved on two things
Relaxation in learning movements in form, as compared to trying to force speed
And improving balance with better dexterity in my thumb and specific development of both the flexors and extenders in my right arm
So it is apparent to me that learning to use the arms, hands and fingers in different ways in context of guitars, will contribute to significant improvement in technique on bass, overall as compared to continuously bashing out the same repitive exercises in limited form time and time again ..
By playing rest stroke it appears that we invariably and primarily utilise and develop the inside arm muscles
By slowly developing things such as a rasqueado on a nylon string guitar the outside of the arm develops
Pepe Romero in his tuition explains that the speed of the stroke whilst partly dependent on attack, is also reliant in the ability of the finger to relax and be prepared to execute another stroke
The point being that the quicker the fingers can respond from a stroke, the faster the fingers can play ,,but this is dependant on the ‘relax’ stage of the stroke
Both, flexors and extenders play a part,
For those people who already know all this, then fair enough,
But for me, as late as it is in my life to have learned this , I feel it is ‘better late than never ‘
As a child I was taught well and that included the importance of developing a ‘relaxed’ Technique, the part I missed was the how and why....
I also now realise that I can only play as fast as my technique will allow ... that gor many people I imagine is stating the obvious ...
But for me it has been an important learning because it provides more options of what I will practice , and why etc .
I recognise and respect that it takes years of dedication to develop highly effective technique, so for me I appreciate I can only be where I am at ...
But in learning this and experiencing the benefits in reality I am a total convert to believing in these principles ...
Just as a tip also, an important part of my learning rasqueado is to be careful, few minute slow sessions each day as compared fast long repetitive practice... the tendons and muscles can be injured easily, so short sessions Are safer .... at my age, I am fortunate that I am not in a hurry so I am taking it slowly, but as I mentioned above, over a short time the difference and improvement is noticeable
So at tonight’s rehearsal, the pick is back in the pocket and I will run with my new found fingers ...
Also, my left hand is improved as well. One of the first things my flamenco teacher pointed out was that ‘most’ guitarists grip too hard on the left hand,
That we can get away with much less pressure if we think about it and apply ourselves .... and that has been a revelation for me as well ...
Happy playing to everyone
Ross’a
