Right arm question

[damien]

So I've recently bought the principles of correct guitar practice after playing a few years and not improving as much as I would like to. I've read through the entire book once and am now going through the sitting position, right and left hand and arm position stuff with my electric guitar. I have found one thing I'm not sure I understand: Al the muscles in my right arm in the classical position are nice and relaxed as the lower arm is resting on the guitar body, so that is fine. In pickstyle position however, from what I have understood the lower right arm should be floating about an inch off the guitar, parallel to it. When I assume this position I can relax the muscles on top of my shoulder but the muscles just underneath the shoulder at the top of the upper arm and the other muscles in the middle of the upper arm are quite tense as they are supporting the lower arm. So... am I missing something or is this upper arm tension is unavoidable?

Will

[Jamie]

Yes it is unavoidable, because your biceps must flex the elbow to maintain the position.

The understanding is this: there is no ultimate state of relaxation, unless you are dead! Then, your muscles will be very relaxed.

The secret of great playing is not relaxation, it is balance, which involves relaxation as part of the means of achieving balance. Effort, the control of effort, and the release of effort is what it is all about. Your mantra when doing all guitar related actions must be "relax into the necessary effort."

Discover the minimum effort possible to achieve your goal. Always be able to release and modify all efforts to achieve the state of balance that is required by the next playing moment".