“Talk to you hand”

Not just blues guitar lesson-Guitarists- “Talk to your hand” 

Why do we use our strongest hand for the strumming or picking ? Because we need that accuracy and strength for the most fundamental and important part of music making; The rhythm! Most of us forget this because we become unavoidably preoccupied with the fretting hand and all the flashing, shinny, glittering details. You know–this little “lick”, running up there! (This includes the camera men shooting music videos.)  

For most of the lessons I recommend damping the strings (by lightly placing your left hand on them) and working your right hand on the “strum”. This will create a percussive sound and really bring out what that right hand is doing. We want to do that because this right hand –playing in good strong time–is the dictator! (Unless you’re left handed.)

This is the hand God gave you to create the groove. The left hand (and all them notes, chords, etc…), need to fall in line with that. Of course when you’re learning new chords, licks, scales, stuff, whatever; attention has to be directed to your left hand fingers. But don’t start thinking that this is the important part. Figure out what you need to do, then direct that attention back into plugging that stuff in line with the right hand: You know, where the music is made!

In fact I talk to my right hand a lot! It’s my good friend. Vocalizing– Your voice, the act of vocalizing things, has a very unique pathway to and from your mind. Vocalizing is a direct link to thought–and to creating reality. (Hearing the music then having it materialize as sound.) It is a way of placing musical patterns firmly in your mind and then coaching your hands. If you can vocalize the rhythmic patterns alone, or rhythmic patterns attached to arranged notes  then you’ve got it!  All you have to do now is teach it to your hands. (Not always quick or easy.)  

All musicians who play any music (complex or simple) that sounds solid can vocalize what it is they are playing. From the basic rhythm to the most complex arrangement of notes. This does not mean they can “sing” them in perfect pitch (although some can), but they can vocalize the phrasing (rhythm). They hear the part (inside their head) and can bring it out into the physical world by vocalizing it. Then play it on their instrument.

(c)2007 Stan Hirsch