14
votes
Practice to minimize finger pressure on guitar strings?
Try to think about your whole hand at once. The goal here is to relax as much as possible. Obviously, you have to use some muscles to actually push the string, but to use them no more than necessary—...
- 18.7k
8
votes
Practice to minimize finger pressure on guitar strings?
This might sound crazy, but try playing for a few weeks pressing the strings down on the fretboard so they hardly sound at all.
Then, gradually increase that pressure until most notes are clear. ...
- 196k
8
votes
Accepted
What vocal techniques are needed to prevent strain when talking into a vocoder?
I suspect that at the root of the problem is the fact that when singing into the vocoder, your brain doesn't get the expected feedback (the natural sound of your voice) and therefore instinctively ...
- 6,359
5
votes
Tips on finding a comfortable position to hold a guitar?
Firstly, there's no one perfect position - each of us will find our own - eventually. I find sitting with a 335 (similar style/size/weight) so uncomfortable, it only gets played while standing. ...
- 196k
5
votes
Accepted
How to continue to play the piano after cutting off part of a finger?
Unfortunately, I cannot suggest specific techniques to help your playing, but there are a few things I can suggest.
!) There are some physical therapists that specialize in working with musicians. ...
- 5,597
4
votes
Accepted
Recorder left-hand thumb position with certain note combinations
I lift my thumb completely off for the D.
It may seem a bit counter-intuitive, but it's actually a smaller and easier movement than the slide you're talking about. When you "half" hole for the higher ...
4
votes
Is it safe to use thumb position in lower positions on cello?
Absolutely fine. Just lift your elbow naturally to place the thumb securely and comfortably. Thumb position can be very convenient and can be used as needed pretty much anywhere on the fingerboard.
- 5,067
3
votes
Bass-Guitar - How much "Bent Wrist" is still ok?
Somebody else's rules regarding how to hold your hand and your wrist might just be perfect.
For them.
I will add this much.
Leave your arms, elbows, wrists, hands FREE to move about in whatever angle ...
- 1,961
3
votes
Accepted
Bass-Guitar - How much "Bent Wrist" is still ok?
This musician disagrees! I recommend watching that Adam Neely video in full, even though it is not nearly as well-produced as his more recent content, because it will give you some contrasting ideas ...
- 9,130
3
votes
Practice to minimize finger pressure on guitar strings?
In addition to Andy and Tim's excellent answers, one of the things which helped me was playing without using my thumb at all - this shows you just how little pressure you need on the frets.
- 36.9k
3
votes
Piano posture - front shoulder delt tension
Leaning forward is both normal and even encouraged, at least by some teachers. I always play with a slight forward lean, even for the white keys, because it gives my elbows a bit more play if I need ...
- 92.5k
2
votes
Recorder left-hand thumb position with certain note combinations
Lift the thumb. You don't have to lift it very far.
Rolling the thumb all the way off the tone hole fundamentally changes your grip on the instrument, which is already kind of tenuous, especially ...
- 22.5k
2
votes
Stretching on Ukulele: How Far is Fair?
Since standard ukulele tuning has the same intervals as guitar (strings 1-4, frets 5 and up), I write with the same guidelines in mind. If your intended audience is "beginners," stick to basic C-A-G-E-...
- 1,657
2
votes
Guitar - strumming / palm muting -tops of fingers hurt
Virtually impossible to pinpoint what's going wrong here, but a few ideas.
Palm-muting is most effective when the palm (that part of your hand used for karate chopping) is just over the bridge saddles....
- 196k
2
votes
Guitar - strumming / palm muting -tops of fingers hurt
It's hard to give a full an accurate answer to this question, because it depends in a lot of matters. As a guitar player, but not professional, over several years I also have experienced different ...
- 213
2
votes
I have a small hand and am an adult. Would 1/2 or 3/4 classical guitar be ok?
Bear in mind that those sizes are not really representative. A 3/4 guitar isn't actually 3/4 the size of a full sized guitar, for example. It's more like 7/8.
As a beginner, you could buy a smaller ...
- 196k
1
vote
Determine correct electronic keyboard stand and chair height
The standard height (i.e. what Steinway do) of the top of the keys above the floor is about 28½ inches. Adjust the stool so that her forearms are level while in playing position. Or use whatever ...
- 94.8k
1
vote
Determine correct electronic keyboard stand and chair height
First get the chair/seat height right for her legs. Thighs just about horizontal - knees slightly lower than hips. Feet need to be, funnily enough, flat on the floor.
Then work out where her arms are ...
- 196k
1
vote
How to prevent middle back pain when playing piano? (New problem after 40+ years)
Difficult without a video! But, just measured my elbow height/keybed, and the lowest part of my elbows is a good couple of inches higher. That says maybe you're using your back muscles to raise your ...
- 196k
1
vote
Accepted
Guitar - strumming / palm muting -tops of fingers hurt
Palm muting doesn't really use the palm, and you really shouldn't be hitting the strings with all your fingers.
The palm mute is really an edge of the hand mute. On my six-string guitars my hand ...
- 36.9k
1
vote
How to continue to play the piano after cutting off part of a finger?
You have to be intuitive, at the moment I understand that you're in a state of uncertainty and doubt, however, the majority of answers you will receive on here, you'll know yourself, because hardly ...
1
vote
Anti-slip foam material used for shoulder-rest?
I would recommend instead inserting a solid spacer between the existing foam pad and the base of the shoulder rest. You really don't want a thick "squishy" pad as that will tend to change thickness ...
- 15k
1
vote
Why do my cheekbones hurt when I play?
Sometimes band teachers are busier than a one-armed paper hanger. Maybe a short email would help (for instance Dear (name), do you have some time to help me work on my embouchure? I could come in my ...
- 4,598
1
vote
Recorder left-hand thumb position with certain note combinations
Look at your left hand as a whole - it should be in a relaxed C shape. Your right thumb and lips provide the stability needed to keep all fingers of your left hand off the instrument. With a good hand ...
- 959
1
vote
Right-hand thumb position for playing recorder
A good analogue is looking at how clarinet players tackle this problem. When I started learning tenor recorder I quickly realized that the weight made it very hard to hold up the instrument, ...
- 1,863
1
vote
Right-hand thumb position for playing recorder
I guess the reason you've found no answer to your question is that it will be different for everyone. You place your right thumb wherever you need to so your fingers can reach all the holes ...
- 1,349
1
vote
Left hand thumb position for ukulele
The thumb will tend to be in slightly different places for different chords. The ideal for me is thumb on the back but the angle of the thumb can change if, for example you are playing an 'inside out'...
- 11
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