Wayward Pinky on HTH

[GAA43]

Hi Jamie and all,

I've been working on the song Hard to Handle as done by the Black Crowes and am having trouble with the solo. In the linked video I make several runs through the first bars of it at 40%, 65% and 80% respectively of full speed, which is 104 BPM. You'll see that the main problem is when I go to place my pinky on the 10th fret of the 3rd string.

Using drop-a-note I can actually get to that point relatively okay, but by that time my hand is all screwed up so I mangle the subsequent notes.

I've been working on my pinky with some walking exercises, scales, etc. and in particular posing on the points where it behaves poorly. This tension has manifested itself for a long time, mostly visible in the trigger-like retraction of my pinky after I place it; this solo is the most glaring example so far of it actually interfering with the placement itself.

I would sure appreciate some commentary on how better to work on resolving this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7f32Dyb ... e=youtu.be

Thanks,
Greg

[uechij]

Hey Greg,

I am no expert, but what I see is the problem starting with the bend.

You are using to much finger and not enough wrist twist when you execute the bend. This is leading to an enormous amount of tension building up in your hand, as you can see your pinky retract when you are bending.

Now the pinky is too far back and up, and tensed, in order to make the smooth transition to the note.

Try using more wrist to bend and keep the pinky relaxed, pay close attention to the pinky as you bend, this will keep it closer to the fret board and hopefully more relaxed.

Just my 2 cents...

[GAA43]

Sure enough, I really am bending from the fingers! I know better than that! Thank you very much for your thoughtful response pointing that out.

I'm not sure if it is the main problem, as even if I execute the line without the bend I have some tension in the pinky, with it doing that quick retraction thing. However whether or not the poor bending technique is the main problem with my pinky, its something I will work on. I'll post back and let you know what I come up with.

Thanks again,
Greg

[Jamie]

Jason is exactly right, the bend is the beginning of the problem, for the reasons he cited. Good eyes there Jason (connected to a good brain!).

yes, there is more to the story. Only no tempo with the touching technique will solve this, with whole body awareness at key points.

I see you have booked a webcam Greg...I'll set you straight on this when I see you. It is a bit too nuanced for adequate instruction by text alone.

[uechij]

Thanks Jamie!

[GAA43]

Hi Jamie et al,

The following links have an update on this.

This is the first two bars of the solo, same as above, down fairly slowly and without any care as to rhythm, as well as some bending and some pull-offs in isolation.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NEY0Kbi ... e=youtu.be


This is the solo first at about 70% and then at 80% of the true speed (which is 105 BPM).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L3c49hii ... e=youtu.be

When doing the lick slowly as an exercise I can do a reasonable job of keeping my pinky relaxed and extended, but as the speed goes up, it wants to be retracted. I'll keep working on this.

[Jamie]

It's definitely improving Greg, keep on it Keep visiting the bottom, and work it on up. Use that lick against some backing tracks too, I would like to hear you pull the music out of it, in context.

[GAA43]

Thanks for the feedback.

In my typical obtuse way I hadn't thought of doing this like in a different context than the original song (Hard to Handle) but thats a great idea and I'll do it.