Thumb Motion Check
ecj
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TKr1fRN4_q4
I've uploaded a quick video of the first solo piece from Shearer's,
"Learning the Classic Guitar." I just want to make sure that my thumb
motion is correct - I have a hard time visualizing things described in
the book. I hope that the picture quality and angle are sufficient to
judge.
Does it look like I'm using the right joint? I have trouble
understanding the difference between the 'middle' and 'wrist' joint
for the thumb. Am I spending too much effort 'digging into the
string' as Shearer advises? It looks like the effort is moving my
whole hand a bit.
Thanks for any and all feedback!
-Evan
PS - How do I make the link a link in my message, if you take my
meaning?
ecj
> PS - How do I make the link a link in my message, if you take my
> meaning?
Never mind about that. I guess it just does it for you.
-Evan
Charlie
tell from a vid. You are getting a nice strong sound so, ya, it's good.
How long you been playing?
Charlie
"ecj" <eva...@googlemail.com> wrote in message
news:b713608e-5ca1-4943...@s31g2000yqs.googlegroups.com...
ecj
> Hey Evan, it looks pretty good to me although it's somewhat difficult to
> tell from a vid. You are getting a nice strong sound so, ya, it's good.
>
> How long you been playing?
>
> Charlie
>
>
> news:b713608e-5ca1-4943...@s31g2000yqs.googlegroups.com...
>
> > Hey all,
>
> >http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TKr1fRN4_q4
>
> > I've uploaded a quick video of the first solo piece from Shearer's,
> > "Learning the Classic Guitar." I just want to make sure that my thumb
> > motion is correct - I have a hard time visualizing things described in
> > the book. I hope that the picture quality and angle are sufficient to
> > judge.
>
> > Does it look like I'm using the right joint? I have trouble
> > understanding the difference between the 'middle' and 'wrist' joint
> > for the thumb. Am I spending too much effort 'digging into the
> > string' as Shearer advises? It looks like the effort is moving my
> > whole hand a bit.
>
> > Thanks for any and all feedback!
> > -Evan
>
> > PS - How do I make the link a link in my message, if you take my
> > meaning?
Thanks, Charlie. I'm really trying to get a nice boom out it like
what I hear on the Segovia recordings that I have.
I've been playing guitar forever, but always with a pick. I was
feeling unsatisfied with my performing ability, and so I'm going
through a 'rebirth' following Shearer's method for remedial students.
Slogoin
>
> Thanks, Charlie. I'm really trying to get a nice boom out it like
> what I hear on the Segovia recordings that I have.
>
> I've been playing guitar forever, but always with a pick. I was
> feeling unsatisfied with my performing ability, and so I'm going
> through a 'rebirth' following Shearer's method for remedial students.
Seems to be working. There are many thumb strokes and you went about
it the right way by trying for a sound.
Charlie
If you'd like to check your thumb against some pros, check out youtube.
Here's one of my favs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nY-2Y34gyyo&feature=PlayList&p=101C57BCC07CFBA4&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=4
I am partial to los Romeros but you might youtube John Williams, Julian
Bream, Narcisso Yepes etc. Check their thumbs, or rather check their entire
hand positions and you might gain some insights for yourself.
Charlie
Andrew Schulman
> There are many thumb strokes and you went about
> it the right way by trying for a sound.
>
>
Andrew
ecj
> Sweet idea. May the force be with you!
>
> If you'd like to check your thumb against some pros, check out youtube.
>
> Another onehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=po2uaa0IVes&feature=PlayList&p=101C57B...
>
> I am partial to los Romeros but you might youtube John Williams, Julian
> Bream, Narcisso Yepes etc. Check their thumbs, or rather check their entire
> hand positions and you might gain some insights for yourself.
>
> Charlie
I love that "Recuerdos de la Alhambra" piece. Truly stupendous.
I notice that both Romeros backbend their thumbs. Segovia and
Parkening have an even more extreme version, almost like a hitch-
hiker's thumb thing going on, but my thumb can't bend in that
direction.
Shearer seems to be describing John Williams' technique so far, but
I'm sure that there are all kinds of variations that I haven't even
thought of yet.
Thanks for all your comments, guys. I will definitely always let tone
be my guide - why else play the classic guitar?
Dicerous
no, no, no!
Don't hyperextend the thumb tip joint. The *problem* with thumb
movement is getting the contrary motion of the thumb viz the other
fingers. Pepe was the best on this: practice extreme preparation of
notes at a very slow tempo. If it sounds a little staccato at first
that's ok. what's important is the planting and preparation of the
thumb.
It's so goddam easy I don't know why you spend time going in circles
with the sherer bs.
David
Robert Crim
If you'll pardon another Shearerism. You get a lot of different
sounds from a lot of different strokes. There isn't just one stroke
just as there isn't just one sound. It is up to the player to choose
what they want to hear and shape the stroke to make that sound.
Shearer was not nearly as hide bound as some would have you believe.
He used to speak of the "pallet of sound" available to the player in
terms of hand position, finger motion and location along the strings.
The better the technique, the more colors available. The better the
musician, the better the use of those colors in a particular piece.
Of course, this make learning these plucked string instruments much
more complicated than just plink, plink, plink, eh?
Robert
Lutemann
Evan, there are many different kinds of P strokes, but the thing about
the Shearer P stoke is that one gets a booming sound right off the
bat. If you use other methods, they may work or you may never get a
good P free stroke sound. Pepe Romero, for example, has almost no P
free stroke sound at all. Take a look at my P stroke video on
youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JH0Yj4ZzV0
Dicerous
kent,
stay away from our kids!
ecj
> Evan, there are many different kinds of P strokes, but the thing about
> the Shearer P stoke is that one gets a booming sound right off the
> bat. If you use other methods, they may work or you may never get a
> good P free stroke sound. Pepe Romero, for example, has almost no P
> free stroke sound at all. Take a look at my P stroke video on
>
> - Show quoted text -
Kent, I've actually watched your whole video series on YouTube, and
plan to refer to it when confusion arises. Thanks for putting it
together.
Dicerous -
>Don't hyperextend the thumb tip joint. The *problem* with thumb
>movement is getting the contrary motion of the thumb viz the other
>fingers. Pepe was the best on this: practice extreme preparation of
>notes at a very slow tempo. If it sounds a little staccato at first
>that's ok. what's important is the planting and preparation of the
>thumb.
Are you suggesting that I am hyperextending my thumb in the video, or
that I am misinterpreting Pepe Romero's thumb angle. I'm a little
confused by your comment.
I feel how the plant is really important. I can see what you mean
about the staccato nature feeling a little bit odd at first. I can
definitely see the potential there.
Andrew Schulman
> If you'll pardon another Shearerism. You get a lot of different
> sounds from a lot of different strokes. There isn't just one stroke
> just as there isn't just one sound. It is up to the player to choose
> what they want to hear and shape the stroke to make that sound.
>
>
Andrew
Dicerous
wrote:
no I was referring to your observation of the *backbending thumbs*.
You're on the right path! Excellent.
Robert Crim
I know you know that, but there seems to be a lot of others that are
looking for the holy grail of strokes.
Robert
Andrew Schulman
> I know you know that, but there seems to be a lot of others that are
> looking for the holy grail of strokes.
>
>
Well, the idea, as you know, is to have a broad palette, and you need
a variety of strokes for that, and the starting point always has to be
the sound you want to get. That was my point. Y' know?
So, I agree with you, no holy grail of strokes.
Andrew
Robert Crim
<and...@abacaproductions.com> wrote:
>I know you know I knew that, know whut I'm sayin'?
Fudeddaboutit
Roberto
Robert Crim
Of course, ther's a "g" in there some where.
R.