GUITAR TECHNIQUE TIP OF THE MONTH Yes, it's "Doug's Dirty Little Secrets" |
I subtitled my Tech Tip "Doug's Dirty Little Secrets" after
reading someone's posted message on a guitar web forum.
The writer asserted that professional virtuoso guitarists all
had secrets they kept to themselves and wouldn't tell anyone
else, so no one would play as well as them!
reading someone's posted message on a guitar web forum.
The writer asserted that professional virtuoso guitarists all
had secrets they kept to themselves and wouldn't tell anyone
else, so no one would play as well as them!
Photo by Robin Gentile, NYC
| BE SURE TO VISIT DOUG'S "SECRET VAULT" Doug's Dirty Little Secrets. It contains ALL of Doug's Previous Guitar Technique Tips of the Month |
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GUITAR TECHNIQUE TIP OF THE MONTH Your Personal Guitar Lesson |
Photo by Robin Gentile, NYC
| BE SURE TO VISIT DOUG'S "SECRET VAULT" It contains many of Doug's Previous Guitar Technique Tips of the Month |
Have a comment?
Question?
Suggestion for the website?
We would love to hear from you.
Question?
Suggestion for the website?
We would love to hear from you.
We have a Printer Friendlier (PDF) version of this article that's also easier on the eyes.
It's SO much easier to read a printed article than to read it from the computer screen.
It's SO much easier to read a printed article than to read it from the computer screen.
FOR MEN ONLY: NO HAIRY ARMS (or ankles)
(Well, ladies may read the last paragraph)
By Douglas Niedt
Copyright Douglas Niedt, All Rights Reserved. This article may be reprinted, but please be
considerate and give credit to Douglas Niedt.
You are on DouglasNiedt.com
Okay gentlemen--let's talk. If you're playing the guitar in public, people are focused on YOU,
especially your hands and therefore your arms. Let's be blunt--no one wants to see your hairy,
veined arms. They're a distraction, okay? Wear long-sleeved shirts or sweaters. The same
goes for your ankles.
A famous guitarist once played here in Kansas City and wore crew length socks. Well, as the
concert progressed, the already too short socks worked their way down his ankles. Plus, the
way we guitarists sit with a footstool tends to raise our pants legs up a bit anyway, so there he
was, playing a beautiful concert, but the music took second stage because the audience was
distracted and amused by this distinguished gentleman in a stylish tuxedo with bare hairy
ankles! WEAR LONG SOCKS!
Now you may say, "Fine Doug, that's great advice. But I thought this was a technique tip, not a
fashion tip of the month."
Well yes, this IS a technique tip which brings me to my next point. Even if you are young
enough or "buff" enough to carry off wearing a tank type muscle shirt and can muster up a
Sylvester Stallone "attitude", you're going to PLAY a lot better wearing long sleeves. Without
sleeves, your right arm tends to stick to the guitar, restricting its movement. YOUR ARM NEEDS
TO MOVE.
You are on DouglasNiedt.com
Here are some situations where smooth mobility of the arm is important:
• One of the most obvious examples is changing tone color, say from plucking close to the
bridge (ponticello) to sliding the arm along the guitar to play over the soundhole or even the
fretboard (sul tasto).
• Another obvious example is the necessity to slide the arm from normal playing position to a
position nearer to the waist of the guitar to execute right-hand harmonics (usually artificial
harmonics).
• Changes of arm position to execute percussion effects.
• Small changes of position to execute a scale where "i" and "m" playing rest stroke must travel
from the 6th string to the first string or vice versa.
In all of these examples, you never want to lift the arm off the instrument to change position or
execute these techniques. That produces tremendous instability in the right arm and therefore
the hand and fingers. Keeping the arm on the instrument at all times gives the arm, wrist, and
hand a reference point that tells the fingers where the strings are and a feel for the distances
to be traversed. Having a long shirt sleeve enables the arm to easily and effortlessly glide on
the instrument to change position to execute these techniques with authority, reliability, stability,
and confidence.
Which brings me to my final point which applies to men and women. As summer and warm
weather approach, when we're practicing at home or taking a guitar lesson, we naturally wear
light, short-sleeved clothing. Even when we're not performing in public, it's important to
preserve the mobility of the right arm on the guitar. Some people put a cloth on the guitar
where their arm rests. The problem with that is that the cloth moves or falls off. You have to
reposition it a lot. The best thing is to take an old sock, cut off the toe end, and slip it on your
arm when you practice. The elastic in the sock will hold it on your arm. Try a few different socks
to see what material feels most comfortable and cool. Also experiment with different lengths.
Not only will you play more effortlessly and comfortably, but the sock will also protect the finish
of your guitar somewhat from the perspiration from your arm!
Next month: Recommended hair styles for guitarists. Just kidding...
You are on DouglasNiedt.com
(Well, ladies may read the last paragraph)
By Douglas Niedt
Copyright Douglas Niedt, All Rights Reserved. This article may be reprinted, but please be
considerate and give credit to Douglas Niedt.
You are on DouglasNiedt.com
Okay gentlemen--let's talk. If you're playing the guitar in public, people are focused on YOU,
especially your hands and therefore your arms. Let's be blunt--no one wants to see your hairy,
veined arms. They're a distraction, okay? Wear long-sleeved shirts or sweaters. The same
goes for your ankles.
A famous guitarist once played here in Kansas City and wore crew length socks. Well, as the
concert progressed, the already too short socks worked their way down his ankles. Plus, the
way we guitarists sit with a footstool tends to raise our pants legs up a bit anyway, so there he
was, playing a beautiful concert, but the music took second stage because the audience was
distracted and amused by this distinguished gentleman in a stylish tuxedo with bare hairy
ankles! WEAR LONG SOCKS!
Now you may say, "Fine Doug, that's great advice. But I thought this was a technique tip, not a
fashion tip of the month."
Well yes, this IS a technique tip which brings me to my next point. Even if you are young
enough or "buff" enough to carry off wearing a tank type muscle shirt and can muster up a
Sylvester Stallone "attitude", you're going to PLAY a lot better wearing long sleeves. Without
sleeves, your right arm tends to stick to the guitar, restricting its movement. YOUR ARM NEEDS
TO MOVE.
You are on DouglasNiedt.com
Here are some situations where smooth mobility of the arm is important:
• One of the most obvious examples is changing tone color, say from plucking close to the
bridge (ponticello) to sliding the arm along the guitar to play over the soundhole or even the
fretboard (sul tasto).
• Another obvious example is the necessity to slide the arm from normal playing position to a
position nearer to the waist of the guitar to execute right-hand harmonics (usually artificial
harmonics).
• Changes of arm position to execute percussion effects.
• Small changes of position to execute a scale where "i" and "m" playing rest stroke must travel
from the 6th string to the first string or vice versa.
In all of these examples, you never want to lift the arm off the instrument to change position or
execute these techniques. That produces tremendous instability in the right arm and therefore
the hand and fingers. Keeping the arm on the instrument at all times gives the arm, wrist, and
hand a reference point that tells the fingers where the strings are and a feel for the distances
to be traversed. Having a long shirt sleeve enables the arm to easily and effortlessly glide on
the instrument to change position to execute these techniques with authority, reliability, stability,
and confidence.
Which brings me to my final point which applies to men and women. As summer and warm
weather approach, when we're practicing at home or taking a guitar lesson, we naturally wear
light, short-sleeved clothing. Even when we're not performing in public, it's important to
preserve the mobility of the right arm on the guitar. Some people put a cloth on the guitar
where their arm rests. The problem with that is that the cloth moves or falls off. You have to
reposition it a lot. The best thing is to take an old sock, cut off the toe end, and slip it on your
arm when you practice. The elastic in the sock will hold it on your arm. Try a few different socks
to see what material feels most comfortable and cool. Also experiment with different lengths.
Not only will you play more effortlessly and comfortably, but the sock will also protect the finish
of your guitar somewhat from the perspiration from your arm!
Next month: Recommended hair styles for guitarists. Just kidding...
You are on DouglasNiedt.com
BE SURE TO VISIT DOUG'S "SECRET VAULT"
It contains many of Doug's Previous
Guitar Technique Tips of the Month
It contains many of Doug's Previous
Guitar Technique Tips of the Month
Have a comment?
Question?
Suggestion for the website?
We would love to hear from you.
Question?
Suggestion for the website?
We would love to hear from you.
We have a Printer Friendlier (PDF) version of this article that's also easier on the eyes.
It's SO much easier to read a printed article than to read it from the computer screen.
It's SO much easier to read a printed article than to read it from the computer screen.
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| These are my very detailed, in-depth articles and high-def videos on how to play the classical guitar. It's like getting your own private guitar lesson every month. Need info on classical guitar right hand technique? Guitar scales? How to play bar chords? Harmonics? Looking for a classical guitar practicing routine? Tips on performing onstage? How to tune a guitar? Looking for easy Christmas guitar arrangements? Chances are, I have covered it, or will soon. The tips are by subscription only. |
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Purchase a ONE-YEAR SUBSCRIPTION to:
DOUGLAS NIEDT'S GUITAR TECHNIQUE TIP OF THE MONTH
Doug's Guitar Technique Tip of the Month will be sent to you monthly. These are the best on the
Internet. No one else's technique articles and videos even come close. Most of the written tips run
over 20 pages. Most of the videos run from 15-30 minutes. The tips are thorough and the
production is excellent. Check out the free tips in Doug's Vault for a sampling.
A one-year subscription (12 tips) is only $24. That is only $2 per tip.
Purchase a ONE-YEAR SUBSCRIPTION to:
DOUGLAS NIEDT'S GUITAR TECHNIQUE TIP OF THE MONTH
Doug's Guitar Technique Tip of the Month will be sent to you monthly. These are the best on the
Internet. No one else's technique articles and videos even come close. Most of the written tips run
over 20 pages. Most of the videos run from 15-30 minutes. The tips are thorough and the
production is excellent. Check out the free tips in Doug's Vault for a sampling.
A one-year subscription (12 tips) is only $24. That is only $2 per tip.
Be a better guitar player or teacher. SUBSCRIBE NOW!
Purchase a ONE-YEAR SUBSCRIPTION to:
DOUGLAS NIEDT'S GUITAR TECHNIQUE TIP OF THE MONTH
Doug's Guitar Technique Tip of the Month will be sent to you monthly. These are the best on the
Internet. No one else's technique articles and videos even come close. Most of the written tips run
over 20 pages. Most of the videos run from 15-30 minutes. The tips are thorough and the
production is excellent. Check out the free tips in Doug's Vault for a sampling.
A one-year subscription (12 tips) is only $24. That is only $2 per tip.
Purchase a ONE-YEAR SUBSCRIPTION to:
DOUGLAS NIEDT'S GUITAR TECHNIQUE TIP OF THE MONTH
Doug's Guitar Technique Tip of the Month will be sent to you monthly. These are the best on the
Internet. No one else's technique articles and videos even come close. Most of the written tips run
over 20 pages. Most of the videos run from 15-30 minutes. The tips are thorough and the
production is excellent. Check out the free tips in Doug's Vault for a sampling.
A one-year subscription (12 tips) is only $24. That is only $2 per tip.