Do you look at your picking hand?

Rick Garrett · From: Tyler, Texas

Reece mentioned this yesterday in my lesson and Im curious to know if many of you look at your picking hand while playing? I can't hit a lick if Im watching my right hand plus if Im not watching the bar hand Im subject to losing my bar.

Rick Garrett

James Morehead · From: Prague, Oklahoma, USA - R.I.P.

I like to look at my left hand for better intonation. I can see the strings move as they are picked. Works for me.

Donny Hinson · From: Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.

I seldom have to watch my right hand. Once in awhile, I check the left one (just to make sure it's not sneakin' off, somewhere).

Chris Schlotzhauer · From: Colleyville, Tx. USA

Never. Always look at your bar hand.

Fred Justice · From: Mesa, Arizona

I usually watch the blonde on the dance floor.David Wright said it would improve my bar skills.

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Fred Justice
Events Dir.
SWSGA www.swsteelguitar.com

Gerald Menke · From: Stormville NY, USA

I'm working on not looking at either hand these days, i.e. playing in the dark or with my eyes closed, makes seeing the tab a bit difficult, but you really find out how your intonation doing is this way. That said, I'd say looking at the bar hand is the way to go, though. When I was just getting started I made a point of practicing 5 main 3 string grips without looking, until it was automatic. Set the metronome really slow and just play them over and over. I also find that for harmonics, it's imperative that you keep an eye on your bar hand to play them in tune.

Daryl Stogner · From: San Diego, CA * R.I.P.

Gerald,

I have been doing the same thing as you, practice those over and over and somehow my pickin finds it's way there on it's own.

But I'm leaning to wards Fred's training method too. Is that part of your lesson plan Fred?

C Dixon · From: Duluth, GA USA

I looked ONLY at my left hand for many years. Then when Buddy Charleton appeared the first time at the ISGC, I noticed how his eyes would continue the go from one hand to the other in a concerted and rythymic manner.

I have now found myself doing this. Whether it is for everyone I have not a clue. Just know that if he did it, gotta be a reason. I believe it has helped me playun

Not sure.

what I have in my hands, nothing can take away"

[This message was edited by C Dixon on 13 August 2004 at 08:06 AM.]

Terry Sneed · From: Arkansas,

Same as Carl. I watch both, but I tend to watch my bar hand a little more.
Terry

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84 SKH Emmons Legrand D10
session 400'rd Steelin for my Lord.

John Daugherty · From: Rolla, Missouri, USA

NEVER.... practice, practice, practice until your guitar becomes part of you. That is why I only play one steel guitar. Some people like to think about what their hands and feet are doing. I like to concentrate on the next lick I want to throw in....... JD

Roger Edgington · From: San Antonio, Texas USA

No And I guess that explains it. My left hand don't know what my right is doing.

Brett Day · From: Pickens, SC

A lot of times, I look at my picking hand to make sure I'm playing the right string. Sometimes I put my head up and don't look at my hands. Brett, Emmons S-10, Morrell lapsteel

Herman Visser · From: Rohnert Park, California, USA

I watch my Right to watch where the picks go flying. Still cannt keep them on right. Im thinking glue might work.

Sam White R.I.P. · From: Coventry, RI 02816

Herman take your pick fingers stick one at a time in your mouth and wet them and they will stay on. I do this every time I sit down to play and have never lost a pick off my fingers. Also make sure they are tight enought.I also watch both of my hands when I play and like Carl I watch my Bar hand more than the pick hand. Some times I watch just the bar hand my fingers find the strings by themself.I guess I'm getting better at playing the steel now myself.
Sam White

[This message was edited by Samuel E. White on 13 August 2004 at 05:57 PM.]

Ron Randall · From: Dallas, Texas, USA

I sneak a peek now and then. But I know I am not supposed to!

Gene H. Brown · From: Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, Canada

Never! Always too busy lookin at the girls on the dance floor, oops, here comes my wife, I'd better close.
Gene

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If You Keep Pickin That Thing, It'll Never Heal!
;)

Jody Sanders · From: Magnolia,Texas, R.I.P.

I'm with Fred and David. Alson Ralph Mooney uses hair spray on his fingers to keep the picks from slipping off. Jody.

Bill Nauman · From: Cresco,Pa,USA

One of the above steelers,drools while playing and lets it drip off his chin.
No joke. Bill Nauman Paradise Valley Pa

David Doggett · Posted 15 Aug 2004 3:28 pm

I mostly watch my bar hand, but take a glance at the picking hand every now and then, especially for a four finger grab.

Smiley Roberts · From: Hendersonville,Tn. 37075

NOPE!!!

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  mm   if it ain't got that twang.


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Ray Montee · From: Portland, Oregon (deceased)

I NEVER look at my right hand. I watch the bar hand intently and within that area of focus, my eyes can clearly see all the strings at about the twelfth fret which tells me which strings are being plucked and which ones aren't. The right hand goes nowhere so all is well.

Bill C. Buntin · Posted 16 Aug 2004 12:27 pm

Reece told me in lesson #1 11 years ago and I quote, "Watching your right hand is the kiss of death". The late great Jeff Newman told me the exact same thing. I don't ever look at my right hand. Right hand has to become instinctive just as pedals and knees do also.

Ron I'm telling next time I talk to Reece. HA

Paddy Long · From: Christchurch, New Zealand

I usually check before the gig starts, to make sure it's still attached - damn handy thing to have you know. I've got a spare one in my seat just in case though!!

Herman Visser · From: Rohnert Park, California, USA

HI guys, nerver give it much thought, but iam now catching myself watching my right hand,guess I better stop. Dont want to start to many bad habits. Just starting out again and bad habits I dont need.

Johnny Harris · From: Texas, USA

To all you guys that replied NEVER or NO, How can you play harmonics without looking to see where the finger or palm is touching the strings? I would really like to be able to do that without looking at my right hand.

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