Ed
I am pleased to have triggered so much agreement, although, in none
of my messages did I mention strength, just "keeping ones limbs very
supple", which I (like Father William) believe is essential for
relaxation and lack of tension.
Although I must note, that in the exercises, I was given for "frozen
shoulder" syndrome, there are two parts: Initially raise the
shoulders as high as possible in a typical French shoulder shrugging
gesture (Marabou stork fashion), and secondly lower them as far as
they will go, while pulling them down as though out of their sockets.
Following this, of course, when the joint is freer, it becomes
possible to relax.
What one does before playing to loosen, warm up and prepare oneself
to play, might have little to do with what one actually does while
playing.
in all physical (and even intellectual) activities, economy of
gesture and elegance is what one should strive not too hard for. I am
sure we all agree about that.
Anthony
Le 26 févr. 08 à 15:07, Edward Martin a écrit :
I agree. I also teach the same exercise. One should play with as
little
tension as possible, as opposed to use of strength.
ed
At 12:21 PM 2/26/2008 +0000, Rob MacKillop wrote:
In my experience, students tend to use ten times the amount of
pressure and
energy than required, so when I see talk of finger strengtheners I
get
worried. The great classical guitarist, David Russell, taught me an
invaluable lesson in this regard. Put your left hand index finger
on any
note, say for example the fifth fret of the first string. Don't
press it
down yet, just touch it with the fingertip. Start continuously
plucking the
string. Obviously you get a muted note. Now slowly start adding
pressure as
you move the string towards the fingerboard. Soon the note will
sound well.
At that point, start decreasing the pressure back to where you
started. You
are teaching your muscles to apply the minimum pressure needed to
fret a
note. My bet it is that it is a LOT less pressure than you are
used to
applying. Now try it with other fingers. Then try playing a scale
without
open strings with this same technique. Go up and down the scale a
few times
from zero pressure to just enough and back again. Do this at the
start of
every practice session. Worked for me.
Your fingers are more than strong enough.
Edward Martin
2817 East 2nd Street
Duluth, Minnesota 55812
e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
voice: (218) 728-1202
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