Need Advice: Taming Wild Fingers

JasonC · 09-11-2008, 05:08 PM

Okay, I play sloppy. I just always have, for years. I'm wondering if there are some useful tricks for getting my fingers to hover a millimeter above the fretboard like some of you pros do? Or do I just simply have to focus on it and take things slow again like I'm just starting out? It's so annoying how my fingers automatically snap back up to a couple inches off the board when I'm playing scales and such. Any tips?

***b-squared*** · 09-11-2008, 05:11 PM

Slow down, practice totally clean, and buy a cheap metronome (There are free ones on the computer I think).

Start very slow, then gradually speed up. You have to walk before you can run.

BB

jo07 · 09-11-2008, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by b-squared

Slow down, practice totally clean, and buy a cheap metronome (There are free ones on the computer I think).

Start very slow, then gradually speed up. You have to walk before you can run.

BB

well said

jo07 · 09-11-2008, 05:14 PM

you take the words off my mouth!lol

JasonC · 09-11-2008, 05:14 PM

I was afraid of that. Well right now my only playable guitar is an acoustic.. so that in itself makes me play less sloppy.

But it's still going to be hard to undo 10+ years of crappy playing.

JasonC · 09-11-2008, 05:16 PM

I used to sometimes play the same scale up and down for 3+ hours at a time... but I was ignorant and it never occurred to me that I should be paying attention to how much my fingers move.

***b-squared*** · 09-11-2008, 05:26 PM

I'd also recommend spending a few dollars and taking a lesson.

Even after playing for 30 years, I take a lesson when I get bored or stuck in a rut. It gives you a new perspective.

Sometimes it takes someone to watch you and tell you what you're doing wrong, or could be doing better.

BB

JasonC · 09-11-2008, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by b-squared

I'd also recommend spending a few dollars and taking a lesson.

Even after playing for 30 years, I take a lesson when I get bored or stuck in a rut. It gives you a new perspective.

Sometimes it takes someone to watch you and tell you what you're doing wrong, or could be doing better.

BB

That sounds like great advice, I'll have to look up my old instructor.. he's pretty impressive.

barburny · 09-11-2008, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JasonC

But it's still going to be hard to undo 10+ years of crappy playing.

Im going through the same thing for different reasons and having to unlearn every thing I have learned but hey it fun

BlackCat · 09-11-2008, 06:46 PM

You can see if this helps...

Free Guitar Lesson - TE-004 • Minimum Movement

JasonC · 09-11-2008, 10:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackCat

You can see if this helps...

Free Guitar Lesson - TE-004 • Minimum Movement

Cool, thanks BC... That's along the lines of what I was thinking, but it's good to have some evidence that it might actually be helpful.

st.bede · 09-12-2008, 01:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JasonC

Or do I just simply have to focus on it and take things slow again like I'm just starting out?

YOU GOT IT....and make sure your fingers are placed right (on thier tips)...also, have the fingers you are about to use placed waiting on the following note as you play the preceding note....do not forget about good picking technique....

do what you have suggested for yourself everyday as part of you daily pratice and you will see results....the more you do with more focus= quicker results....

PMcG No.6 · 09-12-2008, 07:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackCat

You can see if this helps...

Free Guitar Lesson - TE-004 • Minimum Movement

Beat me to it. I was thinking the same thing when he said what he wanted to remedy.

tarddoggy · 09-12-2008, 08:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by b-squared

Slow down, practice totally clean, and buy a cheap metronome (There are free ones on the computer I think).

Start very slow, then gradually speed up. You have to walk before you can run.

BB

right on,B

***b-squared*** · 09-12-2008, 08:57 AM

I bought one of those TASCAM Guitar Trainers. It allows you to play along with a CD, but it slows it down up to 32X or something.

Cheap one here on eBay

When I went through my SRV phase it was indispensable for learning that stuff. You play the licks super slow, them gradually speed up until you're at normal speed.

It takes awhile, but it really works.

BB

JasonC · 09-12-2008, 03:11 PM

Cool. Thanks again B, you guys are giving me some great advice.

golfnbro · 09-12-2008, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackCat

You can see if this helps...

Free Guitar Lesson - TE-004 • Minimum Movement

Thanks BlackCat for the link and thanks JasonC for the thread.

brianbzed · 09-13-2008, 01:02 PM

Wild fingers look cool to your audience!

I'm sure you can find a "Mr. Techinque" kind of teacher that champions efficient finger movement and perfect picking. My experience is that this approach takes "soul" or "feel" from your soloing, and makes you a cookie-cutter "speedy" player. There is a very fine line between shredding and playing your ass off "'cause you FEEL it." Go for the feel.....it earns you more $$$ in the long run!

Plus, you get more respect from MLP!!!

Superchard · 09-13-2008, 07:23 PM

I also have wild fingers, will definately give this method a whirl!

09-11-2008, 05:08 PM	#1 (permalink)
JasonC Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Oregon Posts: 2,339 Thanks: 24 Thanked 3 Times in 1 Post	Need Advice: Taming Wild Fingers Okay, I play sloppy. I just always have, for years. I'm wondering if there are some useful tricks for getting my fingers to hover a millimeter above the fretboard like some of you pros do? Or do I just simply have to focus on it and take things slow again like I'm just starting out? It's so annoying how my fingers automatically snap back up to a couple inches off the board when I'm playing scales and such. Any tips?

09-11-2008, 05:11 PM	#2 (permalink)
*b-squared* The Velvet Hammer Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: About 15 minutes from the LOU...(STL) Posts: 7,312 Thanks: 73 Thanked 14 Times in 6 Posts	Re: Need Advice: Taming Wild Fingers Slow down, practice totally clean, and buy a cheap metronome (There are free ones on the computer I think). Start very slow, then gradually speed up. You have to walk before you can run. BB __________________ I use: WB Custom Pickups RS Guitarworks Electronics Jonesy's Caps My upcoming Game Addiction: http://www.blizzard.com/diablo3/

09-11-2008, 05:14 PM	#4 (permalink)
jo07 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: montreal,quebec Posts: 1,561 Thanks: 73 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Need Advice: Taming Wild Fingers you take the words off my mouth!lol __________________ play guitar until you bleed

09-11-2008, 05:14 PM	#5 (permalink)
JasonC Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Oregon Posts: 2,339 Thanks: 24 Thanked 3 Times in 1 Post	Re: Need Advice: Taming Wild Fingers I was afraid of that. Well right now my only playable guitar is an acoustic.. so that in itself makes me play less sloppy. But it's still going to be hard to undo 10+ years of crappy playing.

09-11-2008, 05:16 PM	#6 (permalink)
JasonC Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Oregon Posts: 2,339 Thanks: 24 Thanked 3 Times in 1 Post	Re: Need Advice: Taming Wild Fingers I used to sometimes play the same scale up and down for 3+ hours at a time... but I was ignorant and it never occurred to me that I should be paying attention to how much my fingers move.

Today
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09-11-2008, 05:26 PM	#7 (permalink)
*b-squared* The Velvet Hammer Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: About 15 minutes from the LOU...(STL) Posts: 7,312 Thanks: 73 Thanked 14 Times in 6 Posts	Re: Need Advice: Taming Wild Fingers I'd also recommend spending a few dollars and taking a lesson. Even after playing for 30 years, I take a lesson when I get bored or stuck in a rut. It gives you a new perspective. Sometimes it takes someone to watch you and tell you what you're doing wrong, or could be doing better. BB __________________ I use: WB Custom Pickups RS Guitarworks Electronics Jonesy's Caps My upcoming Game Addiction: http://www.blizzard.com/diablo3/

09-11-2008, 06:46 PM	#10 (permalink)
BlackCat Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 150 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Need Advice: Taming Wild Fingers You can see if this helps... Free Guitar Lesson - TE-004 • Minimum Movement __________________ Les Paul Classic Antique - Vintage Sunburst Les Paul Studio - Ebony Les Paul Studio Premium Plus - Natural BFG - SilverBurst SG Classic - Heritage Cherry Rick 330 - Turquoise Egnater Tourmaster

09-12-2008, 08:57 AM	#15 (permalink)
*b-squared* The Velvet Hammer Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: About 15 minutes from the LOU...(STL) Posts: 7,312 Thanks: 73 Thanked 14 Times in 6 Posts	Re: Need Advice: Taming Wild Fingers I bought one of those TASCAM Guitar Trainers. It allows you to play along with a CD, but it slows it down up to 32X or something. Cheap one here on eBay When I went through my SRV phase it was indispensable for learning that stuff. You play the licks super slow, them gradually speed up until you're at normal speed. It takes awhile, but it really works. BB __________________ I use: WB Custom Pickups RS Guitarworks Electronics Jonesy's Caps My upcoming Game Addiction: http://www.blizzard.com/diablo3/

09-12-2008, 03:11 PM	#16 (permalink)
JasonC Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Oregon Posts: 2,339 Thanks: 24 Thanked 3 Times in 1 Post	Re: Need Advice: Taming Wild Fingers Cool. Thanks again B, you guys are giving me some great advice.

09-13-2008, 01:02 PM	#18 (permalink)
brianbzed Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Pacific Northwest Posts: 454 Thanks: 2 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Need Advice: Taming Wild Fingers Wild fingers look cool to your audience! I'm sure you can find a "Mr. Techinque" kind of teacher that champions efficient finger movement and perfect picking. My experience is that this approach takes "soul" or "feel" from your soloing, and makes you a cookie-cutter "speedy" player. There is a very fine line between shredding and playing your ass off "'cause you FEEL it." Go for the feel.....it earns you more $$$ in the long run! Plus, you get more respect from MLP!!! __________________ Life is too short to play sh*tty guitars! Les Pauls rule, Pilgrim. Now get that Strat outta here! Gear List: '83 '59 reissue 'Burst' (Leo's) '87 Standard-Alpine White '89 35th Anniv.Custom-3-pu's (Black Beauty) '83 Flying V-Black "Designer Series" '94 PRS Custom Purple 10-top w/birds '84 Fender Strat-humbuckers added ESP mongrel Strat-humbuckers added '80's BC Rich Warlock bass '78 Fender Musicmaster bass '08 Dean 6-string Banjo Boogie MkIIB,Fender Power Chorus,Line 6

09-13-2008, 07:23 PM	#19 (permalink)
Superchard Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Worthing, UK Posts: 9 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Need Advice: Taming Wild Fingers I also have wild fingers, will definately give this method a whirl! __________________ 1997 Fender Stratocaster California Series - Fiesta Red (I was a bit drunk) 2008 USA Gibson Les Paul Slash Signature Series

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