Ask Alex about... Guitar Technique

Key ideas:

You can only do 2 things with your muscles:
-Contract them
-Relax them

Complete relaxation does not exist -unless you're dead!

Good technique happens when you tense and relax each muscle at the exact right time and only then.

Most guitarists tend toward too much tension, rather than too little. This can lead to injury, and it certainly leads to diminished control over the guitar.

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Ask Alex about... Guitar Technique

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May 25, 2011

Break it down...
by: Alex

Hi Bob,

The best way to deal with music is to always to break it down into manageable steps.

If you have issues with rhythm and keeping a beat, then focus on that at first. This is the most important thing, by far. Play something simple you know well, until your beat is super strong and stable.

If you want to get out your "same old thing" habits, you'll need to form new ones. Don't expect being able to improvise things different to what you already know just like that. It doesn't work that way.

Work on exploring a new concept, like a new scale or chord or progression or whatever, SLOWLY. Until you can hear it in your head and see in your mind's eye where your fingers have to go to get that sound.

This will then slowly start to seep into your improvisation...

Cheers,

Alex

Jan 10, 2011

I can't get it in my head!!!
by: BOBBY KING

Hi, I'd like to know why I can't seem to get a blues song or a beat in my head while playing...
I always end up doing the same oldthing: I get better every time I play, but it's always the same kind of thing.

I like playing blues in the style of Albert King or Eric Clapton style, but I can't seem to hear it in my mind when I have a guitar in my hand: I feel but still can't get started.
Can you help me with this?

Thank you

Bob

Jun 21, 2010

Play it SLOW!!!
by: Alex

Hi Alice,

Thanks for stopping by. One of the biggest mistakes most guitarists make is trying to play everything fast, without ever having played it slow.

It may be a silly analogy, but when you ride a bike, you go slow at first. Then you can speed up when you have to or need to.

Music is no different. Going slow, like going slow on a bike on a beautiful afternoon can be very enjoyable!!! So play whatever it is you're trying to work out as slowly as possible at first.

USE A METRONOME:
Use a metronome to make sure that you don't lose the beat. And even more importantly, make sure to get the groove just right. No use in playing like a clock, is there?

Then you can start gradually adjust the metronome till you get it up to speed.

Good luck with your playing, and ask as many questions as you like!

Alex

ps. A slightly more complex point to consider -whether playing slow or fast- is fingering. You need to really think about your fingering: bad fingering does not allow you to stay in control when things speed up!!! (or really slow down, for that matter)

Jun 21, 2010

How can I play faster without losing control?
by: Alice

How can I play faster without thinking where on the guitar fretboard to put my fingers ?

Alice Werfhorst, the Netherlands

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