Thank you for visiting. |
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.
No Girly-Men Guitarists Here
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
You simply can't have enough left-hand strength. You need to be able to hold those big
stretchy chords and bar chords without getting buzzes and muffled notes and without getting
fatigued. Your left hand needs to be able to get through a lesson or an entire performance of
heavy duty repertoire without getting tired. When the left hand gets tired, not only do strings
start to buzz and notes get muffled, but you begin to lose your fine motor movement control and
begin to make mistakes even on simpler single-note passages. Fatigue in the left hand can
even lead to tenseness and therefore loss of control in the right hand.
Macho-Monster Guitar Chords
Do you want to know how to turn yourself from a Girly-Man Guitarist (or if you're female, from a
Powder Puff "I Play Like A Girl" Guitarist) into a Real Man/Real Woman Guitarist? Want to know
a great way to tremendously increase your left-hand strength in just two weeks without
appreciably increasing your overall practice time?
It's very simple. Practice your arpeggio exercises (which you should be doing anyway) while
holding bar chords. Not just any bar chords, but the macho-monster bar chords I have written
out for you below--all of which you will eventually encounter in some form in actual repertoire
you play.
CAUTION! CAUTION! CAUTION! If you currently have hand problems--tendonitis,
recurring pain, whatever--I would NOT practice these, but if you want to try them, be
very careful that they don't exacerbate your problem. Some would say there is a
possibility that by strengthening the hand, your pain problems might actually subside.
But stop playing these immediately if your pain increases. There is nothing macho or
positive about playing with hand pain.
If your hands are healthy, and you conscientiously practice your arpeggios every day using
these bar chords, you will definitely notice an increase in your hand strength in just two weeks.
You will notice not only that you can hold difficult chords more easily and that they buzz less (if
at all), but you will notice an increased fluency in your overall playing simply because your hand
has more reserve strength at its disposal and doesn't get fatigued.
You are on DouglasNiedt.com
How to practice Macho-Monster bar chords
It doesn't matter if you practice the traditional Giuliani arpeggios, the Carlevaro arpeggios, El
Abejorro by Emilio Pujol, Etude No. 1 by Villa-Lobos or any other arpeggio studies or
formulas--instead of practicing the right-hand patterns with the chords they specify, hold these
macho-monster bar chords instead.
If you have problems playing ANY bar chord, first refer to my article, The Secret (Little
Jennifer's Secret) of How to Play Clear Bar Chords. In order to play these macho-monster bar
chords, you will definitely need to use both your arm strength as emphasized in that article,
AND your left-hand thumb strength. Don't rely on either one alone--use both.
One very important fact to know is that bar chords are hardest to hold when the bar is at the
first fret. They are much easier to hold when the bar is at the third, fourth, or fifth fret. So if they
aren't coming out well at the first fret, try them higher up the neck first, and over time work your
way down to the first fret.
Don't be concerned if at first you can't even get half the notes to come out clearly. Just do the
best you can and as your hand strengthens, more strings will come out clearly. You can still
hear the evenness of your arpeggios and work on your right-hand technique even when the
strings are muffled or buzzing.
You will want to adapt whatever arpeggio pattern you are practicing so that you eventually play
all the strings in the bar chord. Have the thumb pluck alternate bass strings so it isn't always
playing the same bass string. Or if the pattern only has "i" and "m" playing two strings, have
them play not only the first two strings, but also have them play the same pattern on the second
and third strings. That way you are learning to hold all the strings down tightly, plus it gives
more variation to your arpeggio patterns.
IMPORTANT: You may only be able to hold some of these chords for five to thirty seconds
before you cry "uncle." That's o.k. Hold a chord for a while, then practice on open strings to
rest your hand. Then go back to a bar chord. Practice on the chords that are easier for you at
first. Gradually increase the amount of time you hold the bar chords.
TENSENESS AND FATIGUE in the left hand are o.k. PAIN IS NOT O.K. If this hurts, don't do it.
As you increase the amount of time you are able to hold these chords, also work your way
down to the first fret, as mentioned above. Push yourself and try for clarity but realize that a few
buzzes and muffled notes are inevitable at first.
Use your common sense. Push yourself but don't overdo it and hurt yourself--use the
open strings frequently to rest the hand.
You can also practice harmonic progressions with these chords (these forms are all moveable
bar chords). I like to practice--I, IV, V (or V7), I. Play the circle of fifths in the dreaded flat keys:
You are on DouglasNiedt.com
Depending on the arpeggio pattern, I will play the pattern two to four times or more on each
chord. However, these chord changes can be very difficult--if you are practicing arpeggios, you
are supposed to be focusing on your RIGHT hand, not the left-hand changes. So if you find
yourself focusing more on the left-hand changes than your right-hand arpeggio work, you might
want to just hold one chord for awhile, stop, then grab another chord, stop, grab another chord,
etc. so your focus stays on the right hand.
Improve the independence of your hands
One final benefit of practicing arpeggios with macho-monster bar chords is that it will improve
the independence of your hands. Usually, intense pressure applied by one hand (as is the
case here with the left hand), transfers to the other hand. That is very undesirable. Stay
focused on the right hand, keeping it loose and relaxed. The contrast between that looseness
and the extreme tension in the left hand will impress itself very strongly on your neuromuscular
system, heightening your awareness of any tension transfer from the left to the right hand.
While those Girly-Men Guitarists out there are trembling on their footstools trying to hold an Ab
major bar chord at the first fret for four largo measures, you, the Manly Man Guitarist (or the
Real Woman Guitarist), will be smiling, eagerly awaiting the eight measures of Db major (with a
ritard) that come next!
You are on DouglasNiedt.com
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
You simply can't have enough left-hand strength. You need to be able to hold those big
stretchy chords and bar chords without getting buzzes and muffled notes and without getting
fatigued. Your left hand needs to be able to get through a lesson or an entire performance of
heavy duty repertoire without getting tired. When the left hand gets tired, not only do strings
start to buzz and notes get muffled, but you begin to lose your fine motor movement control and
begin to make mistakes even on simpler single-note passages. Fatigue in the left hand can
even lead to tenseness and therefore loss of control in the right hand.
Macho-Monster Guitar Chords
Do you want to know how to turn yourself from a Girly-Man Guitarist (or if you're female, from a
Powder Puff "I Play Like A Girl" Guitarist) into a Real Man/Real Woman Guitarist? Want to know
a great way to tremendously increase your left-hand strength in just two weeks without
appreciably increasing your overall practice time?
It's very simple. Practice your arpeggio exercises (which you should be doing anyway) while
holding bar chords. Not just any bar chords, but the macho-monster bar chords I have written
out for you below--all of which you will eventually encounter in some form in actual repertoire
you play.
CAUTION! CAUTION! CAUTION! If you currently have hand problems--tendonitis,
recurring pain, whatever--I would NOT practice these, but if you want to try them, be
very careful that they don't exacerbate your problem. Some would say there is a
possibility that by strengthening the hand, your pain problems might actually subside.
But stop playing these immediately if your pain increases. There is nothing macho or
positive about playing with hand pain.
If your hands are healthy, and you conscientiously practice your arpeggios every day using
these bar chords, you will definitely notice an increase in your hand strength in just two weeks.
You will notice not only that you can hold difficult chords more easily and that they buzz less (if
at all), but you will notice an increased fluency in your overall playing simply because your hand
has more reserve strength at its disposal and doesn't get fatigued.
You are on DouglasNiedt.com
How to practice Macho-Monster bar chords
It doesn't matter if you practice the traditional Giuliani arpeggios, the Carlevaro arpeggios, El
Abejorro by Emilio Pujol, Etude No. 1 by Villa-Lobos or any other arpeggio studies or
formulas--instead of practicing the right-hand patterns with the chords they specify, hold these
macho-monster bar chords instead.
If you have problems playing ANY bar chord, first refer to my article, The Secret (Little
Jennifer's Secret) of How to Play Clear Bar Chords. In order to play these macho-monster bar
chords, you will definitely need to use both your arm strength as emphasized in that article,
AND your left-hand thumb strength. Don't rely on either one alone--use both.
One very important fact to know is that bar chords are hardest to hold when the bar is at the
first fret. They are much easier to hold when the bar is at the third, fourth, or fifth fret. So if they
aren't coming out well at the first fret, try them higher up the neck first, and over time work your
way down to the first fret.
Don't be concerned if at first you can't even get half the notes to come out clearly. Just do the
best you can and as your hand strengthens, more strings will come out clearly. You can still
hear the evenness of your arpeggios and work on your right-hand technique even when the
strings are muffled or buzzing.
You will want to adapt whatever arpeggio pattern you are practicing so that you eventually play
all the strings in the bar chord. Have the thumb pluck alternate bass strings so it isn't always
playing the same bass string. Or if the pattern only has "i" and "m" playing two strings, have
them play not only the first two strings, but also have them play the same pattern on the second
and third strings. That way you are learning to hold all the strings down tightly, plus it gives
more variation to your arpeggio patterns.
IMPORTANT: You may only be able to hold some of these chords for five to thirty seconds
before you cry "uncle." That's o.k. Hold a chord for a while, then practice on open strings to
rest your hand. Then go back to a bar chord. Practice on the chords that are easier for you at
first. Gradually increase the amount of time you hold the bar chords.
TENSENESS AND FATIGUE in the left hand are o.k. PAIN IS NOT O.K. If this hurts, don't do it.
As you increase the amount of time you are able to hold these chords, also work your way
down to the first fret, as mentioned above. Push yourself and try for clarity but realize that a few
buzzes and muffled notes are inevitable at first.
Use your common sense. Push yourself but don't overdo it and hurt yourself--use the
open strings frequently to rest the hand.
You can also practice harmonic progressions with these chords (these forms are all moveable
bar chords). I like to practice--I, IV, V (or V7), I. Play the circle of fifths in the dreaded flat keys:
You are on DouglasNiedt.com
Depending on the arpeggio pattern, I will play the pattern two to four times or more on each
chord. However, these chord changes can be very difficult--if you are practicing arpeggios, you
are supposed to be focusing on your RIGHT hand, not the left-hand changes. So if you find
yourself focusing more on the left-hand changes than your right-hand arpeggio work, you might
want to just hold one chord for awhile, stop, then grab another chord, stop, grab another chord,
etc. so your focus stays on the right hand.
Improve the independence of your hands
One final benefit of practicing arpeggios with macho-monster bar chords is that it will improve
the independence of your hands. Usually, intense pressure applied by one hand (as is the
case here with the left hand), transfers to the other hand. That is very undesirable. Stay
focused on the right hand, keeping it loose and relaxed. The contrast between that looseness
and the extreme tension in the left hand will impress itself very strongly on your neuromuscular
system, heightening your awareness of any tension transfer from the left to the right hand.
While those Girly-Men Guitarists out there are trembling on their footstools trying to hold an Ab
major bar chord at the first fret for four largo measures, you, the Manly Man Guitarist (or the
Real Woman Guitarist), will be smiling, eagerly awaiting the eight measures of Db major (with a
ritard) that come next!
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.
 | |  | |  | |  |
 | |  | |  |
 | |  |
 | |  | |  | |  |
| 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. |
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.
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.