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Old May 16th, 2007
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solidwalnut solidwalnut is offline
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Playing guitar for what seems like forever.
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Last Online: 1 Day Ago 12:22 AM
Location: Phoenix, AZ USA
Posts: 1,391


Quote:
Originally Posted by jimbeaux View Post
Hey Steve,

Thanks for this helpful info about modes. I saved the chart so I can pop it up anytime I need to reference it. Thanks also for all of the other helpful items you've published. Like others, I'm going to make the pick control exercise part of my warmup. I've been holding the thang between index and thumb and tending to have the other three fingers extended. This causes them to become stiff and uncomfortable by the end of practice, but I haven't been able to make myself keep them curled - your tips should help.
Hi jimbeaux--

You're totally welcome, and thanks for the kind words. When I was teaching myself, I had a hard time getting my strum hand fingers out of the way. But I was determined that the fingers should be in a natural position. So I didn't fight it. To this day, I use the back of the fingernails of my middle and ring fingers on the downstroke of the strum, as well as the flatpick. Sometimes it's only the back of the nails. It just depends on what dynamic I'm after. It comes in handy on electric for creating harmonic chirps, and it comes in handy on acoustic when I'm looking for something light but crisp sounding.

When life gives ya lemons....!

Steve


Steve Cass
Solid Walnut Music/ASCAP

Becoming a great guitarist has less to do with fancy moves than it does becoming a master of the basics and learning musicianship.
It's not what you can't do. It's how you play what you already know.

Lessons for the Beginner and Beyond
"Rhythm guitar is a trip that alot of people miss"
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