[jorgemac]

I purchased a Takamine Hybrid P3FCN about a month ago and do like it. It’s new so has to be broken in so I am trying to use it a few minutes every day. the nut is wide enough for my fat fingers and it does stay in tune day to Day to day . Also looked at a Furch 4nc-4 but will have to sell something to justify buying it. I has a wonderful tone, rosewood back and sides and 3A Cedar top. But it would probably be to nice to perform with. The good guitars can grow legs at gigs, and wander away. The Takamine is more of a an everyday gig style guitar. it has their cool PreAmp system for plugging in also.

[jorgemac]

Loraine always has good ideas. Been using the steel balls and have struggled through the first few sessions now easy session gets easier. I have some weird ways I finger chords so personally whatever way floats your boat works for me. Guitar is an ever changing journey. The way I fret and pick notes and chords is always evolving. like for barre chords in the F position I use my thumb on the bass E string on most barre chords higher than the f chord on the fret board. I use my thumb a lot in finger picking so i have really grown reliant on using it. If it works for you and you can still change chords in a progression in a timely manner use what works for you. My 2 cents…

[jorgemac]

I think the way I do it is from trial and error over the years. We all know that the magic only happens if we are able to barre the treble strings. I used to Barre first and then position for the actual chord positions. for me that method was hit and miss on the barre strings. The usual Treble E, B and G strings were either good or had moved just enough when I applied pressure to the chord fretted position to be muffled. After I started positioning the chord fingers first I finally realized that most full barre chords were actually only barred on 2 to 3 strings. So it made sense to me to chord first and then put the index finger into position. After reading Bill Brown’s comments this morning I was surprised at how we both use the same barre finger technique. It took me years to solve this problem and he figured out how to make clean barre chords when he was younger. sometimes I am just slow to figure things out that work for me.

[jorgemac]

Harmonica Aerobics by David Harp Check it out.

[jorgemac]

One more thing. If i know I am going to pick in front of people I do warm up for a long time. i probably wear out my opening song just practicing. It helps my nerves.

[jorgemac]

I started a band in College and kind of hid behind the other members of the band but slowly got used to performing in front of people. That helped but I still get stage fright when performing alone until about the 2nd or 3rd song. So I play something simple when I start out, basically just a strumming song and maybe a little harmonica. then build up and out from there. If playing with other people I stretch out much faster as it is easier for some reason. In groups no one else is blowing harp, I love the harp, so I have much less inhabitation in opening up and just blowing.

[jorgemac]

In the skills section There is a lesson on Hybrid picking that you can practice on the week end. It combines both Pick and fingers and is a lot of fun. it has become my favorite way to play the lessons involving using a pick.

[jorgemac]

“No Bull Music Theory for Guitarists, check it out 1st.

[jorgemac]

Personally I would wait until I had developed some guitar technique an could smoothly complete chord changes and had some fundamental skills in Barre chords. I would purchase the “No Bull” guitar fretboard 1st of 3 books and get a fundamental knowledge of the fret board so I wouldn’t feel lost if i decided to take the course.

[jorgemac]

I think Jimmy Hendricks played a right handed guitar using left hand techniques, Didn’t he?

[jorgemac]

I’ve been using the Steel Chinese hand exercise balls for a week now and have started to gain some control over them. Left hand clockwise direction makes me definitely feel like a beginner and my palm, thumb and fingers have much more to learn about each other before it will a be perfectly smooth exercise. The same with the clockwise direction of the right hand. I am doing a 100 revolutions in each direction in sets of 3. So 300 clockwise and 300 counter clockwise for each hand. both hands are exhausted after I complete those exercises. Last night was the first time I did that many reps. It definitely has to help build something up and hopefully will help with hand/finger co-ordination.

[jorgemac]

Too Bad, A good one would Clapton’s i shot the sheriff. Thanks Guys

[jorgemac]

Loraine introduced me to the Chinese steel hand exercise balls. I’ve used a therapeutic squeeze ball for a few months and that does help strengthen the tendon in the forearm that can become painful especially after picking a lot of barre chords. The Chinese exercise balls seem to help strengthen and stretch the fingers of each hand. I’ve started using them today so don’t have any data yet but from what I have read about them they do strengthen, help coordination and stretch the fingers. Google them and check it out. any thing that helps is appreciated.

[jorgemac]

Loraine, just ordered the Baoding balls and should have them Monday. I ordered 1.5 inch size as I don’t know which size to start with. The information I was able to gather supports their use as a great hand strengthener and good for dexterity. Thank you for sharing that info.

[jorgemac]

Greg, when I was learning the fundamentals of guitar picking. I did buy a couple of smaller bodied and shorter scale length guitars that I used for lessons while learning to stretch my fingers to another fret. I still use My Taylor mini guitar which has a 24 inch scale length and a great tone for a small bodied guitar. You can go to a music store, realizing that there job is to sell you guitars, lessons, etc. You could also try a parlor size guitar. You will find as your technique improves that you will probably want the fuller sound of a larger body and longer scale length. If you are on a tight budget just gut it out until your fingers stretch out. Older guitar players that have some disposable income are always looking for a different guitar. Old guitar players say the next guitar they buy will always be the perfect guitar for them.