Share This Thread Right and left hand movements on neck Svend Arenbrandt (25) Instructional Forum 10/12/2007 12:25:16 PM · 49 Views [Respond to this Message] Hey! Have played for some time. However my hand technique, right and left, is not working properly. First, I am in doubt whether right hand palm edge to be placed on upper bridge for best steering of hand movement from string to string. Some players advise to do so, others to support ring finger on picking guard for steady hand movement.I am looking for best and effective advise of right hand placement for melody playing!!! Second, I feel left hand too stiff when moving from string to string. It must be a question of hand relaxation. I tend to support left hand thumb to stiff on neck thus hindering left hand to move freely. Some advise is needed may be some exercises to be done!! Can someone comment on these things in order to paly with best relaxacing of both hands?? I would be happu for some advise. Thanks, Svend

Responses

• Respond to this Re: Right and left hand movements on neck 10/12/2007 2:44:47 PM Adriano Parmiggianno (5751) wrote: I am looking for best and effective advise of right hand placement for melody playing!!! There are many different opinions on this but I'd advise to do it the way it feels natural to you. I tend to support left hand thumb to stiff on neck thus hindering left hand to move freely. As an exercise, try playing without using the thumb on the neck.

• Respond to this Re: Right and left hand movements on neck 10/12/2007 4:18:30 PM Warren Hunt (2012) wrote: Svend, As for your right hand there are no hard and fast rules as every style of music requires a different approach. As for you left hand, you thumb should be used as an anchor/pivot point and you should not use a death grip to play the chords. I agree letting go of the neck with your thumb and just try playing chords with out it on the neck. The use of the thumb has changed as different styles and different guitars have been invented. Above all try and relax. If you have to use a death grip for your chords to sound out then you might need to have your guitar setup for your style. Warren

• Respond to this Re: Right and left hand movements on neck 10/13/2007 1:49:08 AM Jeff Groves (224) wrote: Many times, problems we encounter with technique are psychological. I'm not saying that's the case here, but many times its a matter of changing the way we think. If I get to a difficult passage, I have to make myself not build tension and then concentrate on keeping things "loose". When you grip the neck so tightly that you notice, things go sharp. This is especially true on guitars with exceptionally tall frets. So to answer your question, I have to agree with the others here... try to practice without your thumb on the back. Another thing you may try is seeing just how lightly you can fret a note and still have it sustain without buzzing. Fret a note and gradually lessen the pressure as you pick to see where the cut-off point is... where the note fades and don't even come out any more. Sometimes we think it's necessary to strangle the neck to get the sounds we want, but the truth is... light hands are faster and arguably more accurate. Hope this helps.

• Respond to this Re: Right and left hand movements on neck 10/21/2007 3:10:28 AM Svend Arenbrandt (25) wrote: Hey! Many thanks to you all who have responded to my "frustrations". Will do as suggested!! Thanks. Regards, Svend

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