Posted: 7 Jun 2007 12:28 pm

Donny flat nails it. And my hand/arm position is close to what I use when I write as well - relaxed and natural.Find what's comfortable for you, and stay with it as long as it doesn't have any negative effects.
The problem is that "toughening up" (as you call it) could cause some physical problems (such as carpal tunnel syndrome) much later down the line. Learning to play a musical instrument is often a challenge, but it shouldn't be painful.James Morehead wrote:...and to toughen up through discomfort, then you find it becomes easy. I don't mean hurt yourself, but press yourself a little to make the moves necessary to play a pedal steel guitar. Your left leg ever "burn" and cramp up playing your a&B pedal? That's not very "comfortable", is it. So get a wrench and take them off. Now your comfortable again, right. Or tough it out, get in shape and deal with it.
James, I guess I'm reading the same thing as Donny - that learning new stuff might be painful....and I do not agree with that methodology, nor do most orthopedic surgeons. Some muscle soreness from new, repetitive motions might be expected - but anything "cramping" or that causes pressure points is absolutely to be avoided. Unfortunately, I have a couple orthros I see regularly for back and knee problems and it's stresses over and over to NEVER use unnatural movements - that's what gets those doctors more clients.When you are learning new techniques, it maybe uncomfortable to do the moves.
Jim, surely you meant to add "for me".Jeff Newman may have said it was right - but from a kinesiology standpoint it's totally wrong.
I've generally posted disclaimers throughout this thread about certain techniques being absolutely correct for SOME players, and that the ones that work for me are just that - things that work for me, which I think in a large part is due to my hand configuration.I'm not accusing you of trying to do that, but remember that a lot of people read this and they can't tell what you are basing your advice on.
No. It never did hurt, except for some initial fingertip soreness. Nothing ever felt unnatural or uncomfortable at all. Not until 40 years later when arthritis set in.Remember when you first started on guitar, how akward it was and how the stings hurt the fingers? Now it's like second nature.
And not everyone who types suffers from carpal tunnel, nor does every person working on an assembly line suffer from repetitive stress disorder. But if someone is having continued problems AFTER an extended period, it's time to look in other directions IMO. And again, Duane - personally, I didn't try any of those methods for just a couple of days, or a week - I ran with them for quite a while and realized it was counter-productive.There are also those that are about to give up, and then it all comes alive very shortly thereafter, and it doesn't hurt, or cramp up you hand, or give you carpal tunnel - if it did, no one anywhere would do it. They'd be out of business and in outpatient surgery in six months if that really hurt your hand
and once again, I'm not saying you are trying to do this
Need I say more about your comments. Nice try.the last thing they need right now is Jim Sliff inadvertently saying stuff on the forum that tips the balance toward giving it up, and putting them on the path to mediocrity.
I tell you what - you could try holding the bar at each end with your thumb and index finger, and put your picks on backwards like big extensions of your fingernails and I guess it wouldn't really be *wrong*
I happened to show that pic of Bill's hand to my pain specialist (who I see monthly, and had an appointment today) and he laughed and said "give the guy my number"...the serious point being he said it put undue strain on several muscle groups and warned me not to try it. I told him I already had and preferred a more natural position, and his comment was that a "natural feeling position" is exactly what should be employed - that any thing that causes strain outside of normal excercise strain is very unwise.For one thing, you ought to find a specialist and see if he/she says that the standard palm-blocking method is improper
Again, misdirection - that had nothing to do with blocking or technique...it had to do with using a particular copedent. DO you actually read the stuff you argue about?as you've been describing your own technique, with "No books, tapes, videos etc."
The first statement is a generalization, and I'd love to see the your qualifications for making it. Have you taught or interviewed the "vast majority"? OR is this another case where it's OK to make blatant assumptions if your approach is somewhat traditional - THAT makes you right? And as far as what you THINK you can also say, first explain how you think I feel - because I can already teel you have no clue since most of your statements aren't based on what's been said in this thread or most of what I've said on this subject. And I haven't even talked about how I felt "at first" - Duane, you're coming from so many directions it's total chaos.but the vast majority of people can make it happen - maybe you are indeed one of them and just don't know it. I think I can also say that many people, if not most, feel just as you did at first.
As noted, comments on a video just watched, and only in regards to hand position and comments on same.Jim, your now quoting Joe wright??? a few months ago you were slamming him in the dirt. Make up your mind!
Not when you eliminate certain people from being reviewed. You can't have it both ways. The thing is, I've negatively commented on a technique or two, while others instead instigatecomments on me personally.we respect your right to do so. But allow us the same, and stop the insults, please.