I'm starting to get a bit of a handle on playing this wonderful instrument. Next thing I could really use help on is my grip. I'm using a Dunlop 919 (I think). I'm NOT buying another bar right now, so I need a little help.
I have pretty good control over the bar while fretting notes. Two issues I have are 1) cramping up. I'm not sure I am using a "proper" grip, just doing what seems to work. And 2) If I have to lift the bar off of the strings I tend to fumble quite often. These things lead me to believe that maybe I'm using a strange and inefficient grip.
Any tips, pointers, pictures or videos?
Thanks guys!
-Gabe
Grip
Moderator: Brad Bechtel
-
Rick Aiello
- Posts: 4701
- Joined: 11 Sep 2000 12:01 am
- Location: Berryville, VA USA
- Contact:
Cramping indicates you are " gripping" the bar with too much pressure ...
A bullet bar isn't really gripped by your fingers ... It is manipulated and guided by the fingers.
Your "starting position" is the straight bar position ...
Your thumb is the main player ... " The General" ... And it's involved in every maneuver that is made. It should be lightly pressing in on the bar near the butt end of the bar ... In starting position
The middle finger should be lightly pressing in on the bar from the opposite side ... Opposite the thumb ... Around the proximal interphalangeal joint ... In starting position.
You should be able to lift the bar off the strings with just these two fingers ... By applying abit more pressure than is required in normal starting position.
The index rides on top ( some prefer it slightly to the right ) ... Applying a minimum downward pressure ... More or less, depending on what maneuver you are employing.
It takes time to develop this seemingly un-natural act ...
... But it will become "automatic" after awhile ... Requiring no thought at all.
Watch JB here ... As he puts the bar through about every conceivable maneuver there is + some that are inconceivable ...
http://www.horseshoemagnets.com/jbfrypan1990.wmv
Hope this helps
A bullet bar isn't really gripped by your fingers ... It is manipulated and guided by the fingers.
Your "starting position" is the straight bar position ...
Your thumb is the main player ... " The General" ... And it's involved in every maneuver that is made. It should be lightly pressing in on the bar near the butt end of the bar ... In starting position
The middle finger should be lightly pressing in on the bar from the opposite side ... Opposite the thumb ... Around the proximal interphalangeal joint ... In starting position.
You should be able to lift the bar off the strings with just these two fingers ... By applying abit more pressure than is required in normal starting position.
The index rides on top ( some prefer it slightly to the right ) ... Applying a minimum downward pressure ... More or less, depending on what maneuver you are employing.
It takes time to develop this seemingly un-natural act ...
... But it will become "automatic" after awhile ... Requiring no thought at all.Watch JB here ... As he puts the bar through about every conceivable maneuver there is + some that are inconceivable ...
http://www.horseshoemagnets.com/jbfrypan1990.wmv
Hope this helps
I've become so comfortable with the bar, and yet there are times when I really need to be prepared mentally to make certain moves. Confidence really has a lot to do with success in playing this instrument. You really can't be afraid of what might happen if you drop the bar, etc., because it's almost like being a figure skater--the minute they get rattled, it's such a struggle to stay on their skates.
Practice, lots of it, is really what makes it all easier.
Practice, lots of it, is really what makes it all easier.
-
George Piburn
- Posts: 2045
- Joined: 1 Jul 2003 12:01 am
- Location: The Land of Enchantment New Mexico
- Contact: