QUOTE (Scott Gentzen @ Apr 4 2007, 12:09 AM)
Starting to learn how to play from the ground up, I'm amazed at how much I need to learn and do before I can even get to the point of being competent. At least a little theory, scales, chords, where everything is on the fretboard....then training your hands to do what you need them to do...strength, independence and muscle memory.
Lately, what has my attention is the reach of my left hand. If I go all aboard on the sixth string with index finger on the first fret, my pinkie's only able to reach halfway between the 4th and 5th fret. I'm looking to increase my reach. The only thing I've come up with guitar-wise to do it is keep working on that B-G#-B-A-B-A#-B run in Back in Black. That and I find myself working the muscles on and off during the day without the guitar...spreading the fingers out wide, trying to move them back and forth independently while they're spread out.
Anyone have and good exercises/stretches for getting that reach?
I have short fingers that dont stretch very much and I'm sure it doesnt help that I started playing when i was 32..33 on Monday
but what I just started using is a tennis ball. Not only for hand strength, but i push the ball between my 4 fingers (no thumb) on my left hand to help the fingers stretch. I also put the ball towards my finger tips and try to bend 2 fingers at a time...I do this because when I close my fingers they start to angle towards each other, and I noticed that as I played as well...hope that helps.
Doug
You are at GuitarMasterClass.net
Don't miss today's
free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with
free content!