| Author |
Topic: Left (bar hand) technique |
John Palumbo
From:
Lansdale, PA.
|
Posted 28 Apr 2020 6:52 pm |
|
| I've started long time ago, spent a week at Jeff Newmans, but then I have gotten away from it. But now I'm back again & really enjoying it & getting much more out of it now. But just looking for advise on grasping the bar. I try to position my first finger so that it is parallel & centered on top of the bar and this works fine for me until I get to about the 12th fret and up (closer to the pickup) where as then the same first finger wants to drift forward on the bar and is no longer centered on top. I'm struggling trying to keep it centered on top when getting to upper part of the neck. As I watch guys on youtube I see guys doing both. I'm not sure if one way is better? Does it matter? |
|
|
 |
Chris Reesor
From:
British Columbia, Canada
|
Posted 28 Apr 2020 7:31 pm
|
|
John, I think you don't need to keep the index finger centered over the bar at all.
My index and middle fingers form a shallow V over the bar, with the middle finger and the thumb lower on the bar than the index.
This position allows me to use the tip of the middle finger to block strings that I have just played and pulled the bar back from on descending lines, as well as facilitating using the left hand thumb to block the lower strings I'm not playing., which is more of an issue on U12. Notes picked with the thumb I mostly palm block.
I think it also helps me lift the bar, either just the back end to play with the tip on one or two strings or the whole thing to do hammers and pulls. I struggled with that for a long time, but eventually it came together, and the hand position I've just described is what seems to work for me.
My left hand stopped cramping up about the same time, as a result of being relaxed, I think.
I'm not sure just what I changed, but I hope my observations are of some use to you or anyone who may read this.
Cheers, CR.
_________________
Excel Superb U12, MIJ Squier tele, modified Deluxe Reverb RI, Cube 80XL, self built acoustics & mandolins |
|
|
|
John Goux
From:
California, USA
|
Posted 28 Apr 2020 8:45 pm
|
|
Chris, well described.
John |
|
|
|
Ian Rae
From:
Redditch, England
|
Posted 28 Apr 2020 10:47 pm
|
|
Without taking anything away from what Chris has written, you might try and see if you feel more comfortable sitting a fret or two further to your right.
He highlights what I think is an important measure of bar control - the ability to lift and manipulate it confidently. To me it used to feel like a wet bar of soap but I've tamed it now. The thumb and middle finger seem more important than the index.
_________________
Make sleeping dogs tell the truth!
Homebuilt keyless U12 7x5, Excel keyless U12 8x8, Williams keyless U12 7x8, Telonics rack and 15" cabs |
|
|
|
John Palumbo
From:
Lansdale, PA.
|
Posted 29 Apr 2020 10:09 am
|
|
| Thanks all, for the advice! |
|
|
|
