Comments on: Lesson 7 – Starting With The Thumb: Independence Exercises http://fingerstyleblues.com/lesson-7-starting-with-the-thumb-independence-exercises/ Wed, 08 Feb 2012 05:15:41 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 By: Shmike http://fingerstyleblues.com/lesson-7-starting-with-the-thumb-independence-exercises/#comment-12 Shmike Fri, 29 Apr 2011 11:10:27 +0000 http://www.fingerstyleblues.com/?p=156#comment-12 Hey Dave, Thanks! It shouldn't be uncomfortable on your wrist and it should move very little when you play. If it hurts you could do some damage to yourself. Make sure your wrist is relatively straight and your arm is relaxed, almost as if you were going to strum with a pick. To get the damping move your whole hand until the heel rests on the bottom strings, don't bend at the wrist. http://www.guitarfriendly.net/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/fingerpicking-hand-position-11.jpg http://media.wiley.com/Lux/84/105684.image0.jpg http://www.paulsmithmusic.net/images/Finger%20Picking/Hand%20Position/Anchor-close,3x2.5,R70.JPG You don't need a thumbpick to do any of this, in fact you'll probably find it easier without one in the beginning. I'm using one on the recording, you'll find the bass is a little more crisp and you get more volume, but it's by no means a requirement. Hope this helps, -Sean Hey Dave,
Thanks! It shouldn’t be uncomfortable on your wrist and it should move very little when you play. If it hurts you could do some damage to yourself. Make sure your wrist is relatively straight and your arm is relaxed, almost as if you were going to strum with a pick. To get the damping move your whole hand until the heel rests on the bottom strings, don’t bend at the wrist.

http://www.guitarfriendly.net/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/fingerpicking-hand-position-11.jpg
http://media.wiley.com/Lux/84/105684.image0.jpg
http://www.paulsmithmusic.net/images/Finger%20Picking/Hand%20Position/Anchor-close,3×2.5,R70.JPG

You don’t need a thumbpick to do any of this, in fact you’ll probably find it easier without one in the beginning. I’m using one on the recording, you’ll find the bass is a little more crisp and you get more volume, but it’s by no means a requirement.

Hope this helps,
-Sean

]]> By: davehtx http://fingerstyleblues.com/lesson-7-starting-with-the-thumb-independence-exercises/#comment-11 davehtx Fri, 29 Apr 2011 00:41:44 +0000 http://www.fingerstyleblues.com/?p=156#comment-11 Just to be clear, at the moment I'm trying to learn it without a thumbpick and have never tried using one before. Just to be clear, at the moment I’m trying to learn it without a thumbpick and have never tried using one before.

]]> By: davehtx http://fingerstyleblues.com/lesson-7-starting-with-the-thumb-independence-exercises/#comment-10 davehtx Fri, 29 Apr 2011 00:40:29 +0000 http://www.fingerstyleblues.com/?p=156#comment-10 I've been playing basic fingerpicking patterns for a while and am just starting to get interested in country picking and country blues. I love that Travis / Chet / Lenny sound with the 4, 5, and 6 strings damped, but man is it uncomfortable for my wrist. Of course, I'm just starting to try it out. Is this something that really requires a thumbpick, or can it be done without? Also, is it more comfortable for the hands with a thumbpick? Are you using one in the recordings? Thanks!!! Love your site. It's an amazing resource. I’ve been playing basic fingerpicking patterns for a while and am just starting to get interested in country picking and country blues. I love that Travis / Chet / Lenny sound with the 4, 5, and 6 strings damped, but man is it uncomfortable for my wrist. Of course, I’m just starting to try it out. Is this something that really requires a thumbpick, or can it be done without? Also, is it more comfortable for the hands with a thumbpick? Are you using one in the recordings? Thanks!!! Love your site. It’s an amazing resource.

]]> By: Shmike http://fingerstyleblues.com/lesson-7-starting-with-the-thumb-independence-exercises/#comment-9 Shmike Wed, 17 Mar 2010 11:22:11 +0000 http://www.fingerstyleblues.com/?p=156#comment-9 Hi Nikibaldi, glad you enjoyed the lesson. I'm not sure if I understand your question, but for playing the bass notes C & G on the fifth and sixth strings it's probably wiser to stick to using your ring finger. You could always use your thumb to hold down notes on the sixth string, which is how I tend to do it when possible. There are no rules, but try and consider the positions that require the least amount of movement. Is that close? -Shmike Hi Nikibaldi, glad you enjoyed the lesson.
I’m not sure if I understand your question, but for playing the bass notes C & G on the fifth and sixth strings it’s probably wiser to stick to using your ring finger. You could always use your thumb to hold down notes on the sixth string, which is how I tend to do it when possible.
There are no rules, but try and consider the positions that require the least amount of movement.

Is that close?
-Shmike

]]> By: nikibaldi http://fingerstyleblues.com/lesson-7-starting-with-the-thumb-independence-exercises/#comment-8 nikibaldi Mon, 15 Mar 2010 21:15:13 +0000 http://www.fingerstyleblues.com/?p=156#comment-8 Hey! Nice lesson! Took me a while to get comfortable with the picking but now it's fine. Changing chords while keeping up the pattern is still a bit challenging. One question regarding the C chord in general: is it better to get used to switching between the strings with the ring finger or can you also use the pinky so that one doesn't have to move the left hand? Of course, there are no rules, but any recommendation from your side? Hey! Nice lesson! Took me a while to get comfortable with the picking but now it’s fine. Changing chords while keeping up the pattern is still a bit challenging. One question regarding the C chord in general: is it better to get used to switching between the strings with the ring finger or can you also use the pinky so that one doesn’t have to move the left hand? Of course, there are no rules, but any recommendation from your side?

]]> By: Nulty http://fingerstyleblues.com/lesson-7-starting-with-the-thumb-independence-exercises/#comment-7 Nulty Thu, 16 Apr 2009 15:46:24 +0000 http://www.fingerstyleblues.com/?p=156#comment-7 been plaing for 3 years, started with LZ - Babe I'm gonna leave you. This is an education in fingerstyle! Thanks for the site been plaing for 3 years, started with LZ – Babe I’m gonna leave you.

This is an education in fingerstyle! Thanks for the site

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