Video Question: Right Hand Technique

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Date: June 12th, 2009 | Length: 4 | Instructor: Mark Lincoln

Lucasholland asked "Hey guys, I've got a question on right hand technique as it applies to playing with a pick. It seems that there are 2 main styles out there: The first one involved the hand looking like a fist. The other style has the fingers kind of sticking out. I hope you know what I mean. When I first started I played in the first style all the time but I read on the internet that the second style gives you more accuracy and my experimentation has so far confirmed this. I'm not as adept at that technique as I am at the fist-like technique but with practice I think I could get there. What's your take on those 2 techniques? Thanks, Lucas." Another benefit of being a member of JamPlay is the video response section. Our expert staff fields questions from our members and provides video responses each week.

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Wrist and Forearm Pain While Playing - December 3rd, 2008 (3 minutes, 00 seconds)

Lucasholland "Hello, I think there's something wrong with my technique. Even after playing very short periods of time, my left wrist and forearm (and sometimes my thumb as well) become really tense and I find it very uncomfortable to play. Yesterday, I practices for 2-3 hours (according to my mother, I didn't really notice...) and now my left wrist and to a lesser extent also my left forearm are in a terrible state. I realise that some of it might have something to do with muscle strength not being quite there yet, but surely playing guitar shouldn't hurt your wrist and forearm! Here's what I'm planning to do: 1. I'm gonna get a second strap button installed so I can wear a strap to angle my guitar. Also, I'm gonna have the action lowered and I'm gonna use lighter gauge strings. 2. I'm gonna warm up before playing, stretch my fingers and my wrists. 3. I'm gonna try to relax while playing, not push down too hard on the strings. Is there anything else apart from the things listed above that I can do to fix the problem? Thank you very much in advance and keep up the great work, Lucas." View Response

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D Minor 7 Help - October 31st, 2007 (1 minutes, 33 seconds)

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