Here's a video of Gold Rush, including the 1st solo. I clobbered the beginning of the first B section, and I think at least one of the A to B or B to A transitions added a beat or two.
I'm trying to reduce tension in my right arm - it's feeling more loose. I took your advice and am trying to watch with a mirror, and even watching the video is helpful. I'm going to try working on this song with my pinkie anchored on the pick guard and see if that doesn't help me get more wrist movement.
Hey Micah, nicely done! There's a nice relentless drive to the way you're playing this. It sounds like you basically know what to work on. There's still a bit of tension in your right arm just above your wrist, but you're still making it work well.
Your life might be a bit easier if you shorten your guitar strap slightly - maybe 1 inch, give or take a bit - and move the guitar a little closer to the center of your body. Experiment with it. Right now it looks like it's pretty low and pretty far to your right which is increasing the downward angle of your right forearm (for me this makes the right hand harder to control) and also you're having to bend your left wrist quite a lot. You already sound good and musical, but I suspect that a slightly adjusted guitar posture might really help you reach a new plateau.
Chris - that makes a lot of sense. I'm been noticing problems with tension as I'm practicing Honey You Don't Know My Mind and Soldier's Joy, and a tendency to tense my arm from elbow to pick on fast phrases.
Just watched your 1st White Dove video again, and seeing what you mean about starting from a totally relaxed position. I think I'm starting with my wrist straight, not relaxed, and then it ripples from there. I'll try to start from a truly relaxed position, and watch in a mirror to try and get some good mental snapshots.
Thanks for the lessons! I'm primarily a rhythm player and songwriter, and I'm looking forward to pushing myself across the board through your videos. I'm self-taught - or more appropriately, self mis-taught. I'm focusing a lot right now on keeping my right arm loose, keeping my fingers from flying too far off the fretboard, and changing my pick and pick hold. This is the first time I've used a flatpick, instead of an electric pick - went w/ the Dunlop Primetone 1.5mm - and I'm going from a weird thumb+two-finger hold to just thumb+index finger. It's been a couple of weeks now and it's finally starting to feel natural.
I've never used rest strokes before, will be woodshedding those. Thanks again for the lessons (and man am I glad that SonicJunction has the 50% and 75% slow motion options)
First of all, welcome! There's a good crew of people here - happy to have you join us.
You clearly have a knack for music - this excerpt sounds really good. The main thing I would suggest you take a look at for now is keeping your right arm, hand, and, most specifically, wrist more relaxed. And to be honest, it's something I see more than hear, but that tension will present more problems as you move through more lessons and music. You might try playing and singing the song in front of a mirror and watching your wrist. Sometimes that can be very enlightening and you can get immediate feedback as to what it feels like when it looks more loose. Then you can try to file that sensation away and call upon it later as you're dealing with tension. Does that make sense?
Chris - that makes a lot of sense. I'm been noticing problems with tension as I'm practicing Honey You Don't Know My Mind and Soldier's Joy, and a tendency to tense my arm from elbow to pick on fast phrases.
Just watched your 1st White Dove video again, and seeing what you mean about starting from a totally relaxed position. I think I'm starting with my wrist straight, not relaxed, and then it ripples from there. I'll try to start from a truly relaxed position, and watch in a mirror to try and get some good mental snapshots.
Hi Chris,
Here's a video of Gold Rush, including the 1st solo. I clobbered the beginning of the first B section, and I think at least one of the A to B or B to A transitions added a beat or two.
I'm trying to reduce tension in my right arm - it's feeling more loose. I took your advice and am trying to watch with a mirror, and even watching the video is helpful. I'm going to try working on this song with my pinkie anchored on the pick guard and see if that doesn't help me get more wrist movement.
Hey Micah, nicely done! There's a nice relentless drive to the way you're playing this. It sounds like you basically know what to work on. There's still a bit of tension in your right arm just above your wrist, but you're still making it work well.
Your life might be a bit easier if you shorten your guitar strap slightly - maybe 1 inch, give or take a bit - and move the guitar a little closer to the center of your body. Experiment with it. Right now it looks like it's pretty low and pretty far to your right which is increasing the downward angle of your right forearm (for me this makes the right hand harder to control) and also you're having to bend your left wrist quite a lot. You already sound good and musical, but I suspect that a slightly adjusted guitar posture might really help you reach a new plateau.
Cheers,
Chris
Chris - that makes a lot of sense. I'm been noticing problems with tension as I'm practicing Honey You Don't Know My Mind and Soldier's Joy, and a tendency to tense my arm from elbow to pick on fast phrases.
Just watched your 1st White Dove video again, and seeing what you mean about starting from a totally relaxed position. I think I'm starting with my wrist straight, not relaxed, and then it ripples from there. I'll try to start from a truly relaxed position, and watch in a mirror to try and get some good mental snapshots.
Thanks!
Chris,
Thanks for the lessons! I'm primarily a rhythm player and songwriter, and I'm looking forward to pushing myself across the board through your videos. I'm self-taught - or more appropriately, self mis-taught. I'm focusing a lot right now on keeping my right arm loose, keeping my fingers from flying too far off the fretboard, and changing my pick and pick hold. This is the first time I've used a flatpick, instead of an electric pick - went w/ the Dunlop Primetone 1.5mm - and I'm going from a weird thumb+two-finger hold to just thumb+index finger. It's been a couple of weeks now and it's finally starting to feel natural.
I've never used rest strokes before, will be woodshedding those
. Thanks again for the lessons (and man am I glad that SonicJunction has the 50% and 75% slow motion options)
Thanks,
Micah
Hi Micah!
First of all, welcome! There's a good crew of people here - happy to have you join us.
You clearly have a knack for music - this excerpt sounds really good. The main thing I would suggest you take a look at for now is keeping your right arm, hand, and, most specifically, wrist more relaxed. And to be honest, it's something I see more than hear, but that tension will present more problems as you move through more lessons and music. You might try playing and singing the song in front of a mirror and watching your wrist. Sometimes that can be very enlightening and you can get immediate feedback as to what it feels like when it looks more loose. Then you can try to file that sensation away and call upon it later as you're dealing with tension. Does that make sense?
Cheers,
Chris
Chris - that makes a lot of sense. I'm been noticing problems with tension as I'm practicing Honey You Don't Know My Mind and Soldier's Joy, and a tendency to tense my arm from elbow to pick on fast phrases.
Just watched your 1st White Dove video again, and seeing what you mean about starting from a totally relaxed position. I think I'm starting with my wrist straight, not relaxed, and then it ripples from there. I'll try to start from a truly relaxed position, and watch in a mirror to try and get some good mental snapshots.
Thanks!