its an ache inside part of elbow area, right where the guitar meets it. it just started, so im thinking its probably tension brought on by trying to concentrate here on not having tension!
I've been playing for a long time and i've always been fancinated by the roll of rythmn guitar in a band and always adopted that roll gladly whenever possible. Your comment about Tony Rice being like Elvin Jones really grabbed me. Being pretty new to bluegrass (thanks to you and your fellow PBs) can you sight a few examples of this on record? Maybe a particular tune or 2, or record or 2 that would illustrate this?
Hi Barry, Listen to Whitewater by Bela Fleck. It’s the first track on Bela’s record, Drive. It’s also just a smoking track in general. There are some great “tempest of guitar” moments in the background throughout. The whole record is a modern classic. Béla, Tony, Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas, Mark O’Connor, Stuart Duncan, and Mark Schatz.
Another fun, live feeling album is Dancing on the Fingerboard by Rickie Simpkins. Cattle in the Cane and Sally Goodin are standouts. The band is Rickie on Fiddle, Dan Tyminski on Mandolin, Tony and his brother Wyatt on guitars, and Ronnie Simpkins on bass.
That said, what makes me think of that most is a live tape of the Tony Rice playing at Rockygrass in 2001. I was actually in the front row for that show and it was insane. I just did a quick search scouring the internet but I can’t find it. It’s amazing, I loved that show, the guitar was LOUD, Tony was playing at the peak of his powers. I used to have a copy and I want to hear it again so I’ll let you know if and when when I find it.
Hi Chris, new to SJ and your lessons. In terms of relaxation, im noticing some discomfort in the crook of my elbow where it meets the front edge of the guitar. Do you think this is from tention or a pressure point of some kind? I'm trying to relax it more and release tention in my arm as i work though these first few lessons.
its an ache inside part of elbow area, right where the guitar meets it. it just started, so im thinking its probably tension brought on by trying to concentrate here on not having tension!
Yep, it’s entirely possible that in “trying too hard” to not have tension and putting too much focus into that area, you can actually create tension! I think your diagnosis is probably correct. Try taking a break and shaking your arm out if you start noticing that feeling coming on.
It can also be good to stand up and move around a bit. Move your torso, move your back, move your spine. Julian Lage taught me that keeping those areas loose can really help loosen the rest of your body. Keeping your trunk limber helps keep the branches limber.
1.4 mm ? what model, Chris? Are you playing a Thile pick? I have one of those and a TP50. Love Blue Chips
Thanks Chris! really fantastic music, very inspirational to say the least. hope you find that Rockygrass gig, would LOVE to hear that.
its an ache inside part of elbow area, right where the guitar meets it. it just started, so im thinking its probably tension brought on by trying to concentrate here on not having tension!
Hi Chris,
I've been playing for a long time and i've always been fancinated by the roll of rythmn guitar in a band and always adopted that roll gladly whenever possible. Your comment about Tony Rice being like Elvin Jones really grabbed me. Being pretty new to bluegrass (thanks to you and your fellow PBs) can you sight a few examples of this on record? Maybe a particular tune or 2, or record or 2 that would illustrate this?
Thanks,
Barry
Hi Barry, Listen to Whitewater by Bela Fleck. It’s the first track on Bela’s record, Drive. It’s also just a smoking track in general. There are some great “tempest of guitar” moments in the background throughout. The whole record is a modern classic. Béla, Tony, Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas, Mark O’Connor, Stuart Duncan, and Mark Schatz.
Another fun, live feeling album is Dancing on the Fingerboard by Rickie Simpkins. Cattle in the Cane and Sally Goodin are standouts. The band is Rickie on Fiddle, Dan Tyminski on Mandolin, Tony and his brother Wyatt on guitars, and Ronnie Simpkins on bass.
That said, what makes me think of that most is a live tape of the Tony Rice playing at Rockygrass in 2001. I was actually in the front row for that show and it was insane. I just did a quick search scouring the internet but I can’t find it. It’s amazing, I loved that show, the guitar was LOUD, Tony was playing at the peak of his powers. I used to have a copy and I want to hear it again so I’ll let you know if and when when I find it.
Thanks Chris! really fantastic music, very inspirational to say the least. hope you find that Rockygrass gig, would LOVE to hear that.
Hi Chris, new to SJ and your lessons. In terms of relaxation, im noticing some discomfort in the crook of my elbow where it meets the front edge of the guitar. Do you think this is from tention or a pressure point of some kind? I'm trying to relax it more and release tention in my arm as i work though these first few lessons.
thanks
Hmm, can you describe the discomfort a bit more? Is it an ache or something more acute? And did it just start?
its an ache inside part of elbow area, right where the guitar meets it. it just started, so im thinking its probably tension brought on by trying to concentrate here on not having tension!
Yep, it’s entirely possible that in “trying too hard” to not have tension and putting too much focus into that area, you can actually create tension! I think your diagnosis is probably correct. Try taking a break and shaking your arm out if you start noticing that feeling coming on.
It can also be good to stand up and move around a bit. Move your torso, move your back, move your spine. Julian Lage taught me that keeping those areas loose can really help loosen the rest of your body. Keeping your trunk limber helps keep the branches limber.