Finger Trouble

[Ninanina]

Why oh why can't I play start of Stairway To Heaven...?

In this weeks guitar lesson I asked for some finger playing, instead of pick, and we decided on the start of Stairway To Heaven...

Right hand doing what it should be my left just won't behave... :doh:

[struth]

practice left only til its second nature:eyebrows:

[Ninanina]

practice left only til its second nature:eyebrows:

:lol:

It's my little finger that's the worst offender... especially when the forefinger is bridging 3 strings... oh it's so hard... :doh:

[struth]

Teaching little used fingers to do what you want is difficult. Most folk try not to use it if possible as there is not a lot of pressure on it.

[Ninanina]

That's so true... however my teacher is quite right how he says to do it... he's a love....

If I was 20 years younger I would really fancy him.... but all the same he is a fantastic player/teacher... :D

[struth]

Good for him being a teacher at 15 ;)

[Ninanina]

Good for him being a teacher at 15 ;)

:lol::lol::lol::lol:

I wish...

[Stratmangler]

How are you sat?
Have you tried sitting like a Classical guitarist, with the lower edge of the instrument hanging between your thighs?

http://i.stack.imgur.com/2Bl5e.jpg

Ignore the frame thing - you can support the guitar just as well using both legs.

[Ninanina]

How are you sat?
Have you tried sitting like a Classical guitarist, with the lower edge of the instrument hanging between your thighs?

http://i.stack.imgur.com/2Bl5e.jpg

Ignore the frame thing - you can support the guitar just as well using both legs.

Hey thanks Chris for the tip... I will try that.. :)

I will also try it on the American Strat rather than the cheapo Strat I take to lessons.. it's so much nicer to play..

[Stratmangler]

You're welcome.
I had my acoustic sat next to me when I read your post, tried it with the guitar sat on my right leg, and my hand started cramping up with the pinky stretch.
Moving it further over to between my legs gave a better playing posture, and it eased the cramping up considerably.

[Ninanina]

You're welcome.
I had my acoustic sat next to me when I read your post, tried it with the guitar sat on my right leg, and my hand started cramping up with the pinky stretch.
Moving it further over to between my legs gave a better playing posture, and it eased the cramping up considerably.

It's nice to get tips from THE 'Strat'mangler. I just wish I had started lessons earlier. I used to strum a bit as a child and found it pretty easy but now in my 'advanced' years it's much harder.. :doh:

[Stratmangler]

I frequently go for days or even weeks without picking a Strat up.
The guitar at hand these days is one of these (https://www.martinguitar.com/media/6221/dcpa5.png), which is physically a bit tougher to play, comes with no talent enhancers, and sounds great when you master the piece and technique you're trying to learn.
That said I've just come back downstairs after playing on my son's Strat (http://www.fmicassets.com/Damroot/ZoomJpg/10001/0140062700_gtr_frt_001_rr.jpg).