Critique My Guitar Playing

[skruffymutt]

The rest of the fingers on the right hand I try to let hang loose and relaxed. The result of all this is no pain and I'm about 50% faster already. There's a lifetime of work ahead :-) but just these few things really made a difference. You shouldn't be in pain while playing guitar.

Great vids, thank you. Hope you already got your troubles sorted out.

When are you going to play some trumpet for us?

[skruffymutt]

I of course changed my desk posture and searched the inter webs for advice about guitar. I ended up with a much more classical position. I moved the guitar to rest on my left leg instead of the right, at more of an angle and I raise that foot up on something at least while practicing. I try not to let tension build up and to use the least pressure necessary with both hands. The pick hand I lay the pick pointing down my first finger and place my thumb over it at 90 degrees to the finger.

[skruffymutt]

I know this is really old but something similar just happened to me so I thought I'd comment. I was getting really bad pain in my neck and shoulders and all the way down to the elbow caused (it turned out) by bad posture both while sitting at my desk and while playing guitar. It became impossible to play, I went to my doctor, she sent me to a physio therapist. One very simple exercise repeated just a few times a day and bingo, everything fine again.

[nestorysusamigos]

wish u r closer to washington state



[SiT1986]

Wow. Seems like you've got your own style, your own technique. The way you hold the pick is normally something I'd do for faster stuff, and I'd hold the pick much further out for strumming chords, but you seem to have down your own technique. It's almost like a bluesgrass-esque style. You should consider making an album.

[123burnsflint]

Wow you are amazing just keep going loved it

[kirandr0007]

u need to pierce the pick  with some hot needles and make holes so that it ll be a hard surface or ur finger tips(when u sweat it ll hold on)..while strumming u need to change ur finger position on the pick....ur teaching excellent ....

[gutterscum]

i think ure awesome how long u've been playing?

[TheReni666]

i just started to play. Actually, 3 weeks ago, but that's not a long time.....

[Seantk1]

I think you are a great guitar player. one thing i think you should work on is loosening up your thumb. and you should do some exercises every day to stretch your wrist's or you could have really bad problems down the road that might even keep you from playing. keep on pick'n your a great guitarist ,, yeehaw.

[handgman]

You need to hold the pick just firm enough that it does not slip out of your fingers. Dunlop 1mm has raised portions that help grip. watch doc watson and steve kaufman videos to find form and technique. When you get going faster your wrist seems to start rotating which can put lateral forces on your writst joint which can cause pain. If you raise up the neck your fretting wrist will not bend so much when you are chaning chords. Watch the classical players the neck is very high for them.

[zekkazecca]

Ciao!

I think you don't look generally relaxed,but it comes with practicing,and i'm not able to play like this so maybe is better i keep my mouth shut...but you ask for criticism.

[themanyouhatetolove]

I hold my pick with my fingers out, not like a fist shape, If you do that ol "ok" motion with your fingers just put the pick between the thumb and index finger. I feel like my hand is freeer and it takes less energy to strum or pick. (and your knuckle won't be bent and in the way). Other than that, I think you are really good. I've played Rock and Metal for about 15 years, and I've always loved bluegrass music but never took time to learn it until now. Hopefully I'll get the knack of it.

[sitkatop]

Ok..... your ugly.. Hows that..

[Authorized77]

I had too much makeup on! Eep.

[billj880]

You are such a delight! I caught on time i saw you try to make the pick look like it was in an awkward position. I had already seen the dexterity in you fingers in one of your previous videos. Your playing is as awesome as you humor,

[Authorized77]

Yup! Love that guitar :)

[alwayslooking4space]

I would say loosen your hands and wrist a little bit. Both of them. It's probably because you're holding your wrist stiff that they hurt. Mine do that on occasion when I'm playing.

[leamonlesson]

You are blessed by god thanks you

[pretourious]

The only thing I might suggest is getting more relaxed and as comfortable as you can get with your instrument when practicing, by doing this you'll naturally assume these positions and techniques when you play live or perform. This is something I too need to work on as I"ve just started back after a 20+ year lay off. And of course just like the music, practicing the above mentioned is just as important IMHO. :)

[podunkest]

I know it's been a year since you posted this but I figured I'd throw in my 2 cents. If you are having pain that's definitely something you can work on preventing 'cus playing shouldn't be painful. I have had similar problems and I realized I was fretting a lot harder than I needed to and working on that really helped me.

[DAVIDDAMIENR]

Great playing

[harleybenedict]

Great playing. I have had pain in my left many time. Biomechanically speaking, try lifting your elbow, instead of the twisting motion you use in the video. Your elbow stayed close to your body and that equates to the tendons kinking at the wrist. Some is inevitable, but the straighter the line between your elbow and knuckles the less tension the tendons bear. Also, try and play each string with the minimum amount of finger pressure necessary to make it sound. Hope that's helpful.

[davidarlette]

I'm not going to critique your playing since you're way better than me, but I'm very happy for the close-ups of how you play. Especially the top-down views of you strumming and how you hold the flatpick. I was going to ask you if you could play Daniel Prayed, but I think I can get ot from this video pretty much. You're awesome :-)

[Bluesguitarman64]

It's very nice the way you ask for critiques..... What I feel to say is: play relaxed and have fun playing; you already play well, so don't mind if your wrist is too up or not and about your thumb, just feel the music !

Cheers from Italy

Rob

[0024681]

Hi Bonnie,

It's Gary again.

I have been playing guitar since the 60s I and my advise what's ever comfortable for you that works. What ever your doing bonnie don't change. Dejango played with three fingers. You have created your style. Just master it. It is yours. Your not doing anything wrong. there is no rule of thumb. Your position looks fine and it works for you. Polish and practice bonnie style.

[dp11issosweet]

yes left wrist could lead to pain in elbow and wrist especially the way u play bars....keep it straight or bent in toward you not away from you..u could end up with tendonitis or carpal tunnel if not...and loosen up your left hand, u look like u have a deathgrip..it may feel less accurate at first but your wrist will strenghten and youll get used to it. u want a loose wrist and hand but still strong pics and strums, it just takes time.

[strawbfan]

Hi Bonnie you play really well.Love the BR140 sounds really great .Mark

[jesseascriven]

Lift your left arm up with your wrist toward you. Imagine the guitar comfortably in your hand. This has helped me alot in keeping my left arm comfortable. Picking styles come and go as you play. Focus on clean slow and perfect.

[castellanoguitar]

good stuff

[Bluegrasspicker32]

Is that a Blueridge guitar????

[Authorized77]

Yes, it is a Blueridge 140.

[alleghenymountains]

try out a blueridge br-140a-2 from Acoustic Guitar Shop Pittsburgh Pa. Adirondack spruce top, 1 3/4th inch nut no bling on headstock less aging toner.

[Bluegrasspicker32]

Is that a Blueridge guitar????

[acousticusmaximus131]

I haven't read all the comments so it may have already been said but loosen that right hand up...to the point of almost dropping the pick but still in control.

[ed3163]

1 more thing you play fine when you play songs maybe you might try a different warm up????????

[ed3163]

You also may have some tendonitis rest is the best for that

[Authorized77]

Ugh, yes, I have something. I haven't gone to the drs because it hasn't been bad - I haven't been practicing much. But as soon as I do start to practice more, it gets worse.

[ed3163]

I think if you watch this video you can see that your wrist look a little weak on certain notes your playing. Maybe get a 2 1/2 lb. weight and do some wrist curls to strenghthen your wrist. I think you sound incredible and didnt notice anything from listening but if you have some pain or numbness you might want to go a little easier. You can injure yourself, Carpal Tunnel not sure if thats spelled right but dont go to fast.

[bikerhippy]

Your drive is strong.  You will always get better because you are a relentless explorer. Cant say whether you will get to where you want to be in your head. Try using 3 picks, try using none, reach!

[douglas70]

hey there, i think you definately have it in the left hand, your thumb positioning seems good, but it seems like maybe you need more action in your wrist of your right hand, let it flow more. You a good guitar player keep it up!

[karennerakkaren]

wow, you're really good. :-)

[kjcon54]

Hello Bonnie,

You are a much better guitar player than I am. I would like to make a few comments though. First, most of the questions you asked are things you have to figure out for yourself. What works for me or Tony Rice or Doc Watson may not work for you.

One thing I notice is that you seem to be too tense especially in your left hand. Learn to listen to your body. While you're playing, try to sense where your arms and shoulders are getting tense and work on relaxing.

continued below

[kjcon54]

Hello Bonnie,

You are a much better guitar player than I am. I would like to make a few comments though. First, most of the questions you asked are things you have to figure out for yourself. What works for me or Tony Rice or Doc Watson may not work for you.

One thing I notice is that you seem to be too tense especially in your left hand. Learn to listen to your body. While you're playing, try to sense where your arms and shoulders are getting tense and work on relaxing.

continued below

[kjcon54]

Watch the good players. Tony Rice, Bryan Sutton, Norman Blake. Don't they make it look easy? The main thing I want to say is forget about the technical stuff and have fun.

Your fingers, hands and arms know how to do this stuff. If you think too much about the mechanics, you'll wind up stiffening up.

The main point I want to make is to play from your heart.Let your fingers and take care of themselves.

Above all, have fun. If music is not fun there's no point to playing.

[userfixit]

Hey Bonnie,

I watched as closely as possible. I am not sure about the left hand right now.

Your left hand is really working, especially the wrist. Twisting too. It just may be your style BUT that pick is not doing any work for you. The pick can do a lot to relive your wrist. If the pick is working and your wrist is working less... I would say that is better and should really relieve the stress on your wrist quite a bit.

I will send you an email with my recommendations.

-Basement Bob

[rudolfooo1]

hraješ velmi dobře,a hezky zpíváš

[bluescityleon]

you have a health issue,do you see a doctor or nutritionist? Have you been sick? Are you a vegaterian? or a meat eater, I love your spirit do you meditate, you play constantly?

[djbro16]

Hold the guitar a bit closer to your shoulder, practise playing with your eyes closed, your body should adjust to a more comfortable angle when you play with your eyes closed.

[Authorized77]

Thank you! I don't get to play in the dark very often on the road but I am looking forward to the flexibility of practicing at home :D

[scogar94crue]

i sent you an e-mail =)

[Authorized77]

Thanks a lot! Looking it over now :D

[Spacemonkeymojo]

All I can say is keep your wrist as straight as possible. Try moving your elbow or the guitar around a bit, especially with barre chords. You can injure your wrist pretty badly if you play with it bent a lot, ie. Carpal Tunnel.

[Authorized77]

Thanks for commenting! I've noticed as I relax more, I can concentrate more on technique, whereas before I would just hold on as tight as I could. So keeping my wrist relaxed (and usually straight at the same time) is one of those things.

[DylanLiane]

you should try to keep your right hand open and relaxed all the time, that will help a lot with keeping the beat and it will leave your other fingers for finger picking as well. You also won't be banging your knuckle anymore! also if you ever wish to try some banjo or Dobro you will need much right hand dexterity so you want to get away from making a fist when you play.

[Authorized77]

Hey, thanks a lot for that advice. I talked with a friend last week who plays really really well and he said something pretty much along those lines! I have been suffering from pain in my hands so I haven't been playing so much, but what I do is very slow and easy so I'm working on incorporating the very changes you mentioned.

[windenr]

opps... i am enrico from italy!

[windenr]

hello Bonnie!!!

i'm getting started with bluegrass music, you never imagine how my friends are enchanted listening me trying to play your beautiful music, new to our ears. i want to improve my playing please show me some nice site where to download and listen tabs for guitar like yours on that video.

critics:

your playing is perfect to my ears

you should only hide your beautiful face when playing tunes so that people listen to your music and not stare at your eyes ;)!!!!

bye bye

enrico

[gbullmaster]

I hold my pick about the same way you do, with just the point of the pick sticking out past my knuckle. However, I've never had my knuckle contact the strings. Maybe you could move your thumb downward a bit to be more even with your index finger knuckle and still control the pick.

I enjoy your videos. Do you have people to play along with as a group? My problem is I have very few interested people to play along with, so I usually play along with either the CD player or the radio.

[Authorized77]

Yes, actually my family and I play together a lot. We are on the road right now in Florida and I'm unable to play guitar at all, except for at concerts - I think I have tendonitis! It's horrible, and my hands are almost continually achy (they will ache after spending this time on the computer checking up on my youtube stuff). :(

[murraru]

I noticed you are playing the Blueridge BR140

what do you like about that guitar vs say a

Martin D16 RGT? Really enjoy your videos, lets see some more G runs in slow mo.

[Authorized77]

Good question! I have never spent time with a Martin D16 unless it's the brown one (they might come in different colors?). In any case, I wouldn't be able to give you specifics. I haven't found any Martin yet that I was willing to plunk down the money for over my Blueridges. Glad to hear you like the vids :D

[kalindoscopy]

where is this being filmed? a luxury ashram in marrakesh?

[Authorized77]

Lol, no. Why do you ask?

[swosu]

It all looks good to me. Try moving your elbow around , closer to your body. That seemed to help my wrist. Everyone is different though. Good luck.

[Authorized77]

I keep wondering about that, I wish I wasn't thinking about the mechanics so much and just PLAYING, but I think my only choice is to analyze now that my hands are hurting. I did 5 hours yesterday and woke up with my hands sore. I have some braces someone in my family used to use for tendonitis, I wonder if I shouldn't try wearing those as night.

[paintedhorse1957]

i wish I was as good as you are , i,m just starting , how long did it take you to get as good as you are ?

[Authorized77]

Whew...good question. I started playing chords and stuff when I was about 12 and learned how to read music then. When I was 16 or 17 some people at a forum introduced me to flatpicking and then I started using a pick. Before that I didn't really feel comfortable with one. I've been at it for 4 years, I guess, but not much of that was serious practice time. I know people who have picked for only a year or two and are better than I am! Everyone goes at their own rate :)

[paintedhorse1957]

your good , and I enjoy your videos.

[OnTheRanch]

it looks good to me! where can I learn those cool country runs? you play them very well! :)

[Authorized77]

The G runs up from the bottom string are on my channel, the rest I haven't made a video on yet but I'm planning on it. Stick around, and thanks :)

[OnTheRanch]

cool! i will wait for them!

[jparm2]

Also, whenever running scales always use a metronome, but don't forget that music is about melody, not just scales. One other thing is, don't feel like your right hand has to always be in the same position. You may find a good strumming position, a different position for picking, and an even slightly more different picking position at faster speeds. It's always just about staying relaxed, and listening to what is coming out of the guitar when you play it. Great job!

[Authorized77]

I don't really play those kind of exercises much anymore, I used to loads but thought I might be better off playing more music and less exercises. I don't always have a metronome, but I have one on my desk and on my computer so I have no excuse now.

[jparm2]

You're definitely well on your way. The main thing I notice is that you need to try to hold down your fretting finger as long as possible before releasing. That will allow your tone to ring just a touch longer making your tone sound cleaner.

[Authorized77]

This is definitely important. I think I need to work on that in tunes and not just when I'm doing exercises. Thanks :)

[ericbigmanbrien]

I'm not one to critisize but the only thing I can see is during the chromatic exercizes. Try to ascend up the strngs as fast as you descend. You are a great guitar player. Love, Peace, and Frybread Grease!

[Authorized77]

Thanks a lot for the crit. I actually slowed down a lot on the up ones because I was afraid I wasn't going to be able to go down as fast, but then I ended up speeding up on the down ones.

[gloveseller]

Maybe you should work on developing your own style!!figure out what is most comfortable for you and just pick pick pick!!! as a musician you will get plenty of criticism !! seems to me you are on the right path!!

[Authorized77]

Yeah, I know that style is important but I'll never be able to develop a style if my technique is so bad that it makes my hands ache all of the time :) Your advice about picking loads is great! Will (try to) do :D