hand position

[LPS24]

hello,

when i watch video's of jimmy page playing a solo doing a scale, his hand is in one place, index finger in barre chord position and the middle, ring, pinky fingers are doing the work...when i do a solo all my fingers are doing something so i think i need to rework my way.

what is the most comfortable way to play a solo?

 

[zap2012]

Obviously, the most comfortable way to play a solo is to tune each of your strings to a different note in the key you're in and then just picking different strings.

Or you could play your guitar and figure out which way of approaching it is the most comfortable for you.

This is one of the huge differences between pop guitar and, say, classical violin. I have friends who are trained in classical music, and they're always very conscious of how they hold their bow and finger their notes and that sort of thing. There's a very specific, precise way you're supposed to do those things. Pop guitar--like in rock or the blues--isn't like that. There aren't any right ways to do things.

Do what's comfortable for you and what sounds good to you. Others may like it or they may hate it, but you can still do whatever the hell you want. Don't be lazy or sloppy or ignorant, but don't feel that you have to follow all of the rules all of the time. And definitely don't ask other people to make up more rules for you to follow.

 

[MineGoesTo11]

Well, 'ol Pagey seems to have the ability to play his stuff guitar slung low, in a way that looks uncomfortable to me.

You really gotta go with what is comfortable and where you aren't straining your wrist... if that means hiking your guitar up to the 'uncool' position... so be it.

What you describe Page doing is one way to play things, but you should try be good a few left and right hand techniques. There's no wrong way, except the way that causes damage that you will pay for down the road.

 

[LPS24]

like i can go up and down the scale but not fast, you notice many solos by lets say, jimmy page, Hendrix, Mike McCready,..go up and down so fast while hammering on or something its like faster than the blues i play..i feel like im stuck in the same speed and same licks and its getting me frustrated. i dont even know much theory or how notes go together..

 

[mdubya]

like i can go up and down the scale but not fast, you notice many solos by lets say, jimmy page, Hendrix, Mike McCready,..go up and down so fast while hammering on or something its like faster than the blues i play..i feel like im stuck in the same speed and same licks and its getting me frustrated. i dont even know much theory or how notes go together..

Try this:

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cL9dUTussj8]YouTube - Paul Gilbert - Pentatonic Lick Of Doom[/ame]

 

[mdubya]

Similar:

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ee_E9dzKm1A&feature=related]YouTube - paul gilbert fast pentatonic lesson part 2[/ame]

 

[jimmyb21]

Don't ask how to hold the guitar neck. Jimmy Page is a class in how NOT to hold the guitar neck, same for Hendrix. Among the position you just described, which is just an economical way to get at the pentatonic scale...they use the thumb to fret the low e...the mere sight of this will make a classical guitar teacher shoot you in the face.

Just hold it sloppy if you want to play sloppy, neck in palm, thumb over the low e, index finger barred across....if you want to play classically, or maybe jazz or some more technical metal then you need to pay attention to hand position in order to access that technicality, but for blues and rock n roll...just grab the thing.

 

[LPS24]

how do i speed up my left hand speed??

i know practice will get it right but i have been on the same speed for 2 years now :/

 

[mdubya]

how do i speed up my left hand speed??

i know practice will get it right but i have been on the same speed for 2 years now :/

Just play it over and over, it will come.

 

[bikeracr]

After 16 years of bad hand position (for me), which invariably threw my timing off, I got help from a qualified instructor. Shell out the scratch for a GOOD instructor (if you can find one)...it is worth it.

 

[LPS24]

how much am i looking at paying? whats the average Price for a good teacher? my guess that its 10-15 per hour??

 

[jimmyb21]

how much am i looking at paying? whats the average Price for a good teacher? my guess that its 10-15 per hour??

If you find a good teacher for that much let us know! I'd be bugeting 30-60 an hour, depending on where you're located and qualifications of the teacher...and some places try to make you buy a block of lessons...so keep that in mind.

 

[bikeracr]

I pay $25 per 1/2-hour for a very qualified instructor (music composition degree, GIT Graduate, decades of experience) and would gladly pay more, if asked.