Minor Pentatonic Video For Jamie

[72reissue]

Here is my first video attempt for your review Jamie.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-mWhPRrtGvE

[Jamie]

Hi Chris, that was very good! I would make a few minor adjustments....

1) Have contact at the base of the index with the neck right from the start of the scale, rather than starting with no contact until mid-scale.

2) On the bend, don't allow the wrist to bend in toward you, even slightly. Instead, push it outward slightly. This helps direct force to the string more effectively.

Good going, work up speed on the scale and let me see it. Keep going in the course.

[72reissue]

Thanks Jamie. I would like to ask a question. When playing a scale or actually any time we are playing multiple notes on the same string should the fingers that are not actually being used to press the string remain under tension on the string or relaxed but still touching the string. For example if I'm playing a minor pentatonic and I am on the 6th string I play the note with first finger then go to 4th finger for the next note...should 1st finger still hold tension on the string or relax it. I notice that when I relax the tension my fingers have an easier time remaining lower to the fret board than when I keep pressure strings. However, it feels much more normal to hold tension on the fingers that just played a note than completely letting them back off. What is the right way to teach yourself?

[Jamie]

Just as in my instructions for the walking ex, we want to maintain contact with the string on the finger that has played, but release some of the pressure as the new finger goes down in front of it. Pay attention to your neck and shoulder, and adjust the pressure so as to achieve a feeling of balance throughout the entire limb. There is always a best position and best amount of pressure for every playing moment. Our job is to find it.