OK
I guess it's time I had my little say.
I am a Classicql guitarist who plays a bit of lute.
The false impressions I need to correct in Chris' e-mail are:1.
Classical guitar technique is "counter-intuitive." Actually, if you don't
make any adjustments to the hand at all when approaching the guitar, you
will have a pretty good position.
2. "...bend your wrist too much like playing the classical guitar" I have
heard, and continue to hear this stated - it ain't so! Classical guitarists
do not - repeat do not - bend their wrists. Playing perpendicular to the
strings is a sure way to produce a thin, naily tone. It also hurts. We do
not do it! Haven't for years and years.
In the last PO masterclass I attended, there was much discussion about
how to cope with the little finger on the belly when changing right hand
positions - that is: going from bass notes to treble. There is no reason
that anyone has explained to me, for having the little finger anywhere near
the belly (Blasphemy - here come the flames) I think it's a holdover from
books advising complete beginners. There are pretty good reasons against it
- like the fact that it cripples the ring finger. If you don't know where
the belly is after playing a month or two...
The evolution of right hand technique seems to have gone: plectrum -
thumb under - thumb out.
Joseph Mayes
On 5/1/07 9:54 AM, "[EMAIL PROTECTED]" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> --- John Scott <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>> I feel like I'm having to unlearn all my 'good'
>> guitar habits!
>
> Yes, its a different approach. Ironically, though,
> throughout the guitar's history, much right hand
> technique shared a lot in common with the lute
> technique you're learning now. It was largely due to
> Segovia's efforts in the early 20th century that we
> arrived at the modern, largely counter-intuitive, way
> of playing classical guitar. (Then again, the modern,
> nylon-strung instrument is quite different than
> guitars of ages past.) In other words, if you
> seriously pursue thumb-under, you will find that
> you'll re-think the way you play Sor or Giuliani -
> probably for the better.
>
>> I'm just wondering - do any of the sources give a
>> reason for this kind
>> of thumb technique, or is it just some odd quirk in
>> the evolution of
>> playing?
>>
> Thumb-under playing was derived from playing with a
> plectrum. Instead of up-and-down strokes, you now
> have index ("up") and thumb ("down"). You also have
> the other fingers for playing chords on non-adjacent
> strings and seperate voice-lines. When I was first
> dealing with thumb-under, I would occasionally take
> time out and actually try playing my pieces with a
> pick. This seemed to help when I would go back to
> thumb-under fingerstyle.
>
> Another thing that really helped my was to imagine
> reaching out and shaking hands with someone. Your
> forearm will actually be coming in nearly
> perpendicular to the bridge. (I seem to remember
> Poulton recommending placing the pinky on the bridge,
> which would make this impossible. This works for
> later music, but for the "classic" thumb-under
> position, it would be better to place your picky a
> little behind the rose, almost parallel to the
> strings.) Again, this is exactly how you would use a
> pick. Most of your playing motion actually comes from
> the forearm, but, like anything, you don't want to
> overdo it. A big pitfall is to bend your wrist too
> much, like playing classical fingerstyle. In that
> school, the idea is to position the fingers
> perpendicular to the strings to assist in playing
> arpeggios. Note that you rarely have arpeggios in
> renaissance music! This is music mostly of lines and
> thumb-under is perfect for it.
>
> It is very awkward at first, but very much worth it of
> the beautiful tone and speed. Yes, speed! Once you
> get the hang of it, you'll be able to play scales much
> smoother and faster than the m-i alternation of
> classical guitar. How cool is _that_?
>
> I would definately recommend a couple of lessons with
> a teacher, even if you have to travel far. It would
> be worth the effort to avoid years of frustration.
>
> Good luck!
>
> Chris
>
> P.S. By the way, I'm playing mostly baroque music
> nowadays and almost never use thumb-under anymore.
> Learning it helped my with many aspects of my playing
> in all styles, however.
>
>
>
>
>
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