Comments on: Let’s Get Something Straight http://www.classicalguitar.org/2009/07/lets-get-something-straight/ Classical Guitar Lessons, Interview, News, Tips & More Mon, 06 Feb 2012 02:11:57 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Chris Rushton http://www.classicalguitar.org/2009/07/lets-get-something-straight/#comment-1037 Chris Rushton Sat, 11 Jul 2009 19:17:19 +0000 http://www.classicalguitarblog.net/?p=1846#comment-1037 Teachers who don't encourage the use of all fingers shouldn't be allowed to take money for teaching in my opinion! Especially for classical guitar. They are just setting the student up to fail Teachers who don’t encourage the use of all fingers shouldn’t be allowed to take money for teaching in my opinion! Especially for classical guitar. They are just setting the student up to fail

]]> By: Carol A http://www.classicalguitar.org/2009/07/lets-get-something-straight/#comment-1030 Carol A Fri, 10 Jul 2009 00:10:08 +0000 http://www.classicalguitarblog.net/?p=1846#comment-1030 One advantage of being a clarinet/sax player is that my pinky finger is probably as strong as my other fingers -you can't play these instruments without using your 4th finger! Now if I could just learn to play that guitar properly....... Not only is my 4th finger stronger but I can also move it independantly from my other fingers. Try this, it's not a natural way for your hand to operate. I hadn't realised this until someone demonstrating various things about the human hand pointed this out. One advantage of being a clarinet/sax player is that my pinky finger is probably as strong as my other fingers -you can’t play these instruments without using your 4th finger! Now if I could just learn to play that guitar properly…….

Not only is my 4th finger stronger but I can also move it independantly from my other fingers. Try this, it’s not a natural way for your hand to operate. I hadn’t realised this until someone demonstrating various things about the human hand pointed this out.

]]> By: Jordan http://www.classicalguitar.org/2009/07/lets-get-something-straight/#comment-1025 Jordan Thu, 09 Jul 2009 06:19:58 +0000 http://www.classicalguitarblog.net/?p=1846#comment-1025 I couldn't agree with you more. Without my pinky, I would be lost. I have no idea how some people manage to play semi-technical pieces without it.... I couldn’t agree with you more. Without my pinky, I would be lost. I have no idea how some people manage to play semi-technical pieces without it….

]]> By: GuitarVlog http://www.classicalguitar.org/2009/07/lets-get-something-straight/#comment-1024 GuitarVlog Thu, 09 Jul 2009 03:36:33 +0000 http://www.classicalguitarblog.net/?p=1846#comment-1024 With the first 'classical' teacher I had, I was recommended fingerings that avoided the use of the pinky because I would get results faster than having to train the pinky and building up its strength, reach and dexterity. I knew that the pinky was supposed to be used extensively because my sheet music showed the recommended fingerings. I felt his approach was short-sighted and sacrificed long-term benefits for short-term gains. I chose not to continue lessons after our third session. More than a year later, I'm thankful for having made that decision. With the first ‘classical’ teacher I had, I was recommended fingerings that avoided the use of the pinky because I would get results faster than having to train the pinky and building up its strength, reach and dexterity. I knew that the pinky was supposed to be used extensively because my sheet music showed the recommended fingerings.

I felt his approach was short-sighted and sacrificed long-term benefits for short-term gains. I chose not to continue lessons after our third session. More than a year later, I’m thankful for having made that decision.

]]> By: Jamie http://www.classicalguitar.org/2009/07/lets-get-something-straight/#comment-1023 Jamie Thu, 09 Jul 2009 03:33:05 +0000 http://www.classicalguitarblog.net/?p=1846#comment-1023 I always get bugged by the whole little finger being the weakest thing. I agree with exactly what you've said. It's the weakest because we tell ourselves it is. If you think about a baby, they grip things with the little finger and thumb. Pinch strength in the index and middle fingers are developed later, then takes over. And when looking at the anatomy of the arm, if you draw a straight line from the elbow toward the hand, you end up at the pinky, not the middle or thumb. Structurally, a very strong anchor point. Just saying...the little guy needs some love too. I always get bugged by the whole little finger being the weakest thing. I agree with exactly what you’ve said. It’s the weakest because we tell ourselves it is. If you think about a baby, they grip things with the little finger and thumb. Pinch strength in the index and middle fingers are developed later, then takes over. And when looking at the anatomy of the arm, if you draw a straight line from the elbow toward the hand, you end up at the pinky, not the middle or thumb. Structurally, a very strong anchor point.

Just saying…the little guy needs some love too.

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