Ladder @ 60 bpm version 2

[phoeg]

you are getting that hand in shape!

When I started doing the Touch Technique I really started noticing hand muscles I didn't know existed! I never realized just how many variables there are in playing the guitar! I get the little finger relatively quiet but then there's something new to fix on it. This endeavour has been an eye-opener! All in a good way, I might add!

Thanks for all the feedback and encouragement! I'll try posting in a couple weeks after working on your advice.

Thanks again.

Paul

[Jamie]

You are literally correct Paul, the touching technique forces you to use intrinsic hand muscles that would otherwise not be activated during playing. You will increasingly feel like you are getting a new pair of hands!

[phoeg]

To Jamie and all others, I've held off asking this, but I can't quite figure out the answer.

Jamie said in a previous reply (my emphasis added) "-on 1-2...Keep 3 away from 2, it is tending to crowd over toward 2." I have been working on the recommendations, but the 1-2 combination is a bear, and in particular keeping 2 from "leaning over" and crowding 3.

On 1-2 I'm using my "glacial no tempo" to do this. However, 2 keeps leaning over to crowd 3, kind of like so as viewed from my eyes (with each slash being a finger): \ /|/ (I didn't know how to describe this so I used the slash & pipe symbols from the keyboard.)

So...I am working hard to get 2 to be more "upright", sort of like this: \ | / / . To do that I have to really force finger 2 to move, and it really takes some time to get the whole hand-arm-shoulder system to relax. I'm posing for a looooong time. Then slowly 2 will relax and stay more upright and away from 3 but it takes some initial muscle work in the hand & fingers to do it. And after the exercise my forearm is wicked sore.

My question is: could that be a normal result of getting these muscles used to doing something they're not used to ever doing? As I said, I pose for a looooooong time and really focus on letting the whole hand-arm-shoulder relax.

I'm just wondering if I'm missing something or if the muscle soreness is from doing something new.

Thanks for your time.

PS - I'd post a no-tempo video but I'm having technical issues with the camera...like, the lens is screwed up.

[Jamie]

Paul, this is the kind of thing that makes me say - consider a webcam lesson with me. I have to review your practice procedure in detail and find out where you are going wrong in your approach. These things are subtle.

Think about it.

[phoeg]

Thanks, Jamie. This one's really bugging me because the other finger combos are coming along (or so they seem).

I would like to do a webcam lesson, but I have to figure out the technical details. Believe it or not I don't have high speed internet in the area of Oklahoma City where I live. I may be able to work something out with my neighbor who has satellite, or a coworker who lives in the city.

Thanks again. I'll get back on the lesson.

Paul

[phoeg]

A quick update on this...

It may be a while before I can do a lesson as I have some technical and financial roadblocks. Which is to say I need to get access to a high speed connection then get a video camera if my high-speed access person doesn't have one. (Oy! Such is life on Green Acres!)

Much as I hate to do something that's incorrect, I don't have too many options so I'm pressing ahead with lots of no-tempo and posing. I'm letting the fingers-arm-shoulder relax, even if it takes 30 seconds seems to be helping. I can literally see the fingers start to spread out as I slowly relax. Interestingly, when I started trying to keep 2&3 apart while doing the ladder with 1&2, #4 kept wanting to go straight out! Maybe that devil sympathetic tension? Anyway, as I'm getting the fingers to relax, I noticed #4 tonight wasn't straightening as much, and also, maybe an important & good sign, my forearm wasn't feeling as tense or sore...in fact, barely. Maybe it just is nothing more than certain muscles doing things they've never done. (Crossing fingers)

So, I'll keep dissecting everything to note where and when the tension is and what or what positions trigger it. Won't give up though.

[phoeg]

Paul, this is the kind of thing that makes me say - consider a webcam lesson with me. I have to review your practice procedure in detail and find out where you are going wrong in your approach. These things are subtle.

Think about it.

Subject: Ladder @ 60 bpm version 2

Hi Jamie -

In regard to my struggle with my crowding fingers, I bought the Hammer-On's-Pull-Off's Course for the Touch Technique, but whilst perusing the GP Store today I saw this quote in the "Chromatic Octave Exercise" description: "Chromatic Octaves greatly strengthen the left hand and especially develop the ability of the fingers to spread apart."

I don't want to get too many things going and have a mishmash of exercises and things I'm practicing, but this sounded like it targeted the issue I'm struggling with.

Because I'm unable to do a lesson or two (yet), I'm working the Principles book, plus the basic rhythm book (to start learning some simple songs and make practice more than drills), and the first foundation exercise in the Hammer-On's-Pull-Off's book.

My question: based on what I've mentioned in this thread with my finger crowding issue, and what the Chromatic Octave Exercise description said, would I be better off working with that one first vs. the Hammer-Ons/Pull-Offs? Or can they be done concurrently, one benefiting me in different ways?

I'm sure you'd like us to buy ALL your products (and I'm sure I will have most at some point) but I want to be sure I don't get too many things going at once. I'm going to order the course anyway but would like your assessment of the best way to implement these books.

Thanks as always.

Paul

[Jamie]

Paul, it is NOT a problem to work with many exercises at once, IF you are working properly. I do probably 20 types of exercises every morning. Strength developers, like the chromatic octave ex are perfect for just a few minutes a day, because you should not overdo them. They are a slow growing plant in your guitar technique garden.

So I would say go for it, especially if you need strength in spreading the fingers.

[phoeg]

Thanks, Jamie. Yeah, spreading the fingers is a problem...getting there but it's slow.

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