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Topic: new psg player, right hand technique questions |
Steve Collins
From:
Alaska, USA
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Posted 14 Sep 2011 10:30 am |
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| hi all, im a 20+ year guitar player, new to pedal steel, and boy howdy, this thing feels difficult. patience is taking on a whole new scope. anyway, i have always had difficulty playing with fingerpicks, and have mostly not bothered with them, but i figure now is the time to get it right. of coarse i realize it takes practice, but right now i am CLUMSY with the things on. any hints or techniques to get a grip (so to speak) on fingerpicks? also, i am having some cramping issues in my right hand, beast described as 'not being able to relax my right hand'. its frustrating me to sit down to practice and get hand cramps 10 minutes or less into a session. im sitting comfortably, arms resting, elbows at 90 degrees, but my right hand gets the 'tight claw' feeling very quickly. any hints/advice? thanks, steve |
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john widgren
From:
Wilton CT
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Posted 14 Sep 2011 11:08 am picks
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Start with light gauge finger picks, but don't roll them to the contour of your finger too much. (they are not artificial fingernails) After a month or six weeks, switch to a heavier gauge set, and keep working your way to the heaviest set you can live with. Try not to play "flat palmed". Good luck!
PS when your done with the light picks, throw them away (or make a nice neckace) so you are not tempted to go back.
Best JW
_________________
Steel Guitar Services:
Live performance and recording. Instruments, repairs and lessons. Fresh bait/discount sushi.
(203) 858-8498
widcj@hotmail.com |
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Stephen Cordingley
From:
Ontario, Canada
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Posted 14 Sep 2011 12:08 pm
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get the "Right Hand Alpha" video
if you can do it the "right way" from the start, that's probably the best way
the video makes the point that it's not easy or natural at first, which was/is my experience
you also might benefit from Joe Wright's technique bundles, if you've got the dedication to develop chops, chops, chops right from the start |
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CrowBear Schmitt
From:
Ariege, - PairO'knees, - France
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Posted 14 Sep 2011 12:25 pm
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i'd suggest relaxing first - digging in w: your picks before you pick as to get used to 3 note grips for instance : strings 6 8 10 - 5 6 8 - 3 5 8 - 3 4 5 - 5 7 10
(no pedals on I(root): C fret 8 - A&B on IV : F fret 8 - B & E on V : G fret 8
triplet rolls on those same strings - playing a major scale goin' through the 7 degrees up to the octave
pickin' those up & down & practicing that in a cycle of 4ths - that way you'll learn each key position
if the picks hurt your fingers, keep the thumbpick on & use your bare index & middle finger
just don't forget to put them picks back on until it hurts again |
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Paul Sutherland
From:
Placerville, California
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Posted 14 Sep 2011 12:47 pm
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You definitely need to develop the muscles in your right hand (and your left). Like any physical activity, that takes a certain amount of time and persistence. You can't expect to run a marathon after just a couple weeks of training. Playing steel is really not much different.
Play for designated periods of time and take breaks when cramping, etc. starts. Over time, you will be able to increase your endurance.
The Jeff Newman Alpha course is probably a great reference.
PSG is a wonderful instrument. Enjoy the journey. |
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Fred Glave
From:
McHenry, Illinois, USA
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Posted 14 Sep 2011 8:00 pm
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I stretch the muscles in my fingers, hands and forearms before and after I play. As Paul said, your muscles will get stronger the longer you play and your tolerance will grow.
_________________
Zum Encore, Zum Stage One, Fender 2000, Harlan Bros., Multi-Kord, |
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Bobby Bowman
From:
Cypress, Texas, USA, R.I.P.
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Posted 14 Sep 2011 9:01 pm finger picks
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Put all of your picks that you plan to use on your fingers and thumb as much as you can. Especially when you are not setting at your guitar. Play/fake picking in the air,,,,on your chest or stomach or legs,,on your desk or kitchen table. Really anywhere, anytime on anything. You might even try sleeping with them on for a while. It won't take very long and they will feel natural to you.
Also, take the time to learn to "fit" your picks to your own fingers for comfort and confidence and DON'T let anybody else ware are mess with your picks.
BB
_________________
If you play 'em, play 'em good!
If you build 'em, build 'em good!
http://www.bobbybowman.com |
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Clete Ritta
From:
San Antonio, Texas
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Posted 15 Sep 2011 12:00 am
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Sit a bit more to the right than you think you should. Centered around fret 15. Cramping, tingling etc will be normal, at least it was for me, for a while. These are postures and muscles that are not yet accustomed to use, but it will get easier! Take it slowly at first, and learn how to block with picks, palm, thumb and bar. If you try to rush, you'll be sore and frustrated every 10 minutes. I put shrink tubing on my picks to make them more comfortable and stay on better, but nonetheless, it still takes a while to get used to wearing them.
Clete |
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Steve Collins
From:
Alaska, USA
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Posted 15 Sep 2011 12:14 pm
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| thanks everyone for the tips, all valuable information, and obviously from experience. |
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