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Topic: Right forearm position |
Greg Vincent
From:
Folsom, CA USA
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Posted 28 Oct 2004 8:18 am |
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Hi folks,
Well it's clear to me that I'm long overdue for a lesson on fundamentals. Until I can get out to an instructor, I'll ask you guys:
Is it wrong to have the right forearm resting on anything while playing PSG? Is it supposed to be hanging above the strings, supported only by your shoulder?
Playing E9 on a D-10 I have a tendency to anchor my forearm on the back neck. That gives stability to my picking hand but can hinder lateral motion across string groups.
It feels very strange to play with my arm unsupported. Have I developed a bad habit?
-GV |
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Dave Zirbel
From:
Sebastopol, CA USA
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Posted 28 Oct 2004 8:25 am
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I don't think there is a wrong or right. Just do whatever feels best and works for you. That's why they put pads on single neck on double body guitars.
I'm a bit hung up on that one myself since I just went from a double neck to a single neck. I miss the armrest but I'm not giving up. 
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Dave Zirbel-
ZB Custom D-10 8 x 5, S-12U Kline 7 x6, Dobro Cyclops reissue, 1967 Fender Telecaster, Webb 6-14E, Fender Super Reverb
The Mother Truckers
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Ron Sodos
From:
San Antonio, Texas USA
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Posted 28 Oct 2004 8:37 am
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| I have always rested my forearm on the back neck. Of course whn you play the back neck there is no place to rest so i think whatever feels comfortable is ok. |
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Ricky Davis
From:
Bertram, Texas USA
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Posted 28 Oct 2004 9:32 am
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Greg; that technique of resting the forearms on the back neck or pad is a great technique if you think of it this way.
When I'm teaching; that is one of the first things I try to get my students to do and think of. I'm a believer that the arms and shoulders should be DOWN; almost thinking of "Sinking" everything down into the instrument. Having the forearms resting(well not really resting; but down on the back neck) puts your wrist in a straight position; not being bent up or down at the wrist hinge. So having your forearms down on the back part of the steel guitar; just Emphasizes good technique in my Book.
Ricky |
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Travis Bernhardt
From:
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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Posted 28 Oct 2004 12:01 pm
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However you do it, make sure you're as relaxed as you can be.
-Travis |
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Mark Herrick
From:
Bakersfield, CA
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Posted 28 Oct 2004 12:25 pm
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I think you'll find, if you pay particular attention while you're playing, that your wrists/forearms will always be moving slightly up and down on the pad or rear neck, if you have a D-10 or SD-10.
I would think it difficult to play with your wrists/forearms in constant contact.
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Greg Simmons
From:
where the buffalo (used to) roam AND the Mojave
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Bill Terry
From:
Bastrop, TX
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Posted 28 Oct 2004 1:26 pm
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| This is like asking a golfer if he breathes in or out on the backswing... |
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Ricky Davis
From:
Bertram, Texas USA
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Posted 28 Oct 2004 5:04 pm
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Bill; I LOVE that comparison...ha...Oh and I breath out first; then backswing; then swing through the ball with any remaining air that's in there..ha.
Actually to be a little more specific...as I don't mean the arms are pushing down constantly on the pad or back neck; to where you can't move them. Everything is relaxed down onto the guitar; but when you pick; your hand always comes up slightly and so does your forearm automatically; to move with the hand up and down the strings as the string grips require. But knowing that the arms are relaxed down and not having tension trying to hold them up; is the most important feature in the forearms being in contact with the pad or back neck, for proper angle of the wrist.
Ricky |
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Jerry Overstreet
From:
Louisville Ky
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Posted 28 Oct 2004 5:40 pm
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Greg, here is what I have found: Leaning on the rear neck promotes a lazy condition with the right hand and arm. I did not have this problem with single necks. I had to correct the tendency to lay down on the back neck otherwise, I tended to let my fingers do most of the climbing up and down across the neck thereby bending the wrist and losing proper 90° orientation to the neck with my wrist and hand.
It's an easy thing to let develop.
The Sho-Bud had the rear neck much lower than most other guitars and this tendency was less likely to occur. I find that on all modern guitars, the rear neck's height relative to the front can be a bit of a hindrance. Now you'll probably
get many more responses saying that it isn't a problem whatsoever. This is just my 2¢ worth...since you are soliciting opinions and all.
Best of luck in your endeavors. JO
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Travis Bernhardt
From:
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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Posted 28 Oct 2004 6:34 pm
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One thing to play with is your seat height. Try fiddling around until you feel like you've found a height where your arm is totally relaxed, and in a natural position for playing.
-Travis |
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Tracy Sheehan
From:
Fort Worth, Texas, USA
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Posted 28 Oct 2004 9:22 pm
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And to those who have a few cold ones be sure and keep your chin up off the strings.Tracy  |
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Bob Strum
From:
Anniston Alabama
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Posted 29 Oct 2004 3:46 am
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| WJW!! Watch Joe Wright!! |
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Jim Palenscar
From:
Oceanside, Calif, USA
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Posted 29 Oct 2004 5:11 am
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| To add to what Jerry said- one of the best teachers ever was Jeff Newman and I heard that he once rejected a steel that was built for him for as the builder built it as an SD model- (like LDG) and Jeff said that the back part promoted laziness and got in the way. If you notice also that his forearm was parallel to the ground and the strings. |
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Glenn Suchan
From:
Austin, Texas
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Posted 29 Oct 2004 5:28 am
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I usually set the guitar height so that in combination with my pac-a-seat, my forearms and thighs are parallel to the floor. I was taught this is the right position for the instrument as it allows the legs and arms to be relaxed and in the best position for playing. My teacher: One of the best: Paul Carestia. Thanks Paul!
Keep on pickin'!
Glenn |
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Bill Terry
From:
Bastrop, TX
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Posted 29 Oct 2004 7:17 am
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I mentioned the golf thing because to me it was one of those things I never thought about. Last night I paid attention and it seems my forearm touches the inside neck lightly if my right hand is stationary, but no real weight is supported.
It actually floats at least half the time, when moving up and down (or left and right) with different grips. I anchor my little finger around the first string a lot, at least for certain grips, so that seems to provide some stability.
I used to worry about that little finger thing, but got over it.. |
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John Lacey
From:
Black Diamond, Alberta, Canada
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Posted 29 Oct 2004 8:02 am
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| I think that the more important issue is to make sure that the right elbow doesn't start migrating upward as many beginners do. This puts the wrist in the wrong plane to the neck and is bad technique. I rest my arm on the back neck or pad but lift it up to cover the strings as I ascend the grips. |
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Greg Vincent
From:
Folsom, CA USA
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Posted 1 Nov 2004 8:22 am
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| Thank you all for your great input! -GV |
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Gene Jones
From:
Oklahoma City, OK USA, (deceased)
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Posted 1 Nov 2004 9:12 am
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I love these questions...because I always learn something from them.
This question, like many that appear on the Forum, is one that I had to go sit at my guitar and play something before I actually knew what I do.
I found that when playing E9, my forearm is never supported by the inside neck, which may be because I play C6 much of the time and
there is nothing back there for support.
I also found that when support is evident,it is provided by either the little finger or while palm blocking. (Palm blocking is another thing that I did for many years before I found out there was a name for it.)
www.genejones.com |
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