Hello Scott. I have been following you over the years, and enjoyed your playing very much. In fact, I played under your baton many years ago, at University of Michigan, when you conducted a modern work for guitar ensemble. Or was it Milikin University... I can't remember. It was my second year of studying with Mark Maxwell, at DePaul University.
Anyways, I have a question, and it's sort of big. I developed some problems where after prolonged periods of playing, I would have chronic pain in my lower back, shoulder, and left hand. This became ever-present when using the traditional playing position, with a foot stool.
I gradually switched to a holding position on my right lap instead, and this is the most comfortable position ever! For me anyways... But now, even in the absence of pain, there are a couple of issues:
1. The guitar seems to slide out of place. I use a gripper on my right lap, like you are, and that seems to help. However, when I move my right elbow, the guitar moves with it and is misplaced.
2. I struggle with rest strokes, especially on the bass strings. As I play down from the first string, my RH fingers get more and more uncomfortable, as does my wrist. Since I am holding the guitar with my right elbow, I cannot move it. If I did, the guitar would drop. The apoyandos on the bass strings are most uncomfortable (when played with i, m, a, that is).
I see you are very comfortable holding the guitar this way, and I know you are playing rest strokes at least occasionally.
Can you please give me some pointers about this entire situation?
I appreciate it very much.
Your playing has been inspiring to me, and thousands of other guitarists, throughout the years! Thanks for that!
1 comment:
Hello Scott. I have been following you over the years, and enjoyed your playing very much. In fact, I played under your baton many years ago, at University of Michigan, when you conducted a modern work for guitar ensemble. Or was it Milikin University... I can't remember. It was my second year of studying with Mark Maxwell, at DePaul University.
Anyways, I have a question, and it's sort of big. I developed some problems where after prolonged periods of playing, I would have chronic pain in my lower back, shoulder, and left hand. This became ever-present when using the traditional playing position, with a foot stool.
I gradually switched to a holding position on my right lap instead, and this is the most comfortable position ever! For me anyways... But now, even in the absence of pain, there are a couple of issues:
1. The guitar seems to slide out of place. I use a gripper on my right lap, like you are, and that seems to help. However, when I move my right elbow, the guitar moves with it and is misplaced.
2. I struggle with rest strokes, especially on the bass strings. As I play down from the first string, my RH fingers get more and more uncomfortable, as does my wrist. Since I am holding the guitar with my right elbow, I cannot move it. If I did, the guitar would drop. The apoyandos on the bass strings are most uncomfortable (when played with i, m, a, that is).
I see you are very comfortable holding the guitar this way, and I know you are playing rest strokes at least occasionally.
Can you please give me some pointers about this entire situation?
I appreciate it very much.
Your playing has been inspiring to me, and thousands of other guitarists, throughout the years! Thanks for that!
Florentin
Post a Comment