If you are learning to play the guitar but are feeling like something is not working quite right, you might consider troubleshooting your picking hand. There are a few simple approaches you can learn that will help your picking go more smoothly. Mastering your picking hand technique will allow you increase the speed at which you can play guitar.http://www.cyberfret.com/chops/ralph-rosenburg/ralphs-picking-hand-exercises/index.php
There are many different styles of picking that you can implement, including strumming and single string picking, depending on the type of guitar and the type of music that you are playing.http://www.cyberfret.com/chops/ralph-rosenburg/ralphs-picking-hand-exercises/index.php Once you have troubleshot your picking hand and feel confident in your abilities, you may want to try some single string exercises to further enhance your guitar playing expertise.
How to Practice Guitar: Troubleshooting The Picking Hand
Jen Trani, guitarist, goes over some techniques for troubleshooting your picking hand if you are having difficulty playing the guitar. Trani talks through potential issues with the picking hand and explains how these issues can be overcome.
Step 1: Hold the Pick Correctly
Pay attention to how you are holding the guitar pick. Position your thumb so that it lies over the lower knuckle on your index finger, forming a lowercase "t". The pick should be positioned as if it is an extension of the nail on your index finger. Make sure that you are holding on to the wide base of the pick.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9HGpD1oA9zc
Step 2: Relax Your Arm and Hand
Be sure to keep your arm and hand relaxed. It should not take very much effort to strum the guitar strings. Be sure that the pick is facing the guitar, otherwise your hand will become tense. Position your arm so that it is parallel to the guitar and the pick is pointed at the strings.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9HGpD1oA9zc
Step 3: Isolate the Problem
If you are having difficulty with your picking hand, you might consider spending some time working with just that hand. Practice playing the guitar by simply picking the strings and not using your fretting hand just yet. Relax and play everything slowly before working up to playing at the correct tempo.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9HGpD1oA9zc
How to Practice Guitar: Singing and Playing
Jen Trani teaches viewers how to practice singing and playing the guitar at the same time. Trani explains techniques that she has found helpful, such as having the chords and lyrics in front of you.
How to Practice Guitar: Prevent Injury
Jen Trani, guitarist, provides tips and advice on how to protect yourself from injury while playing the guitar. Trani focuses on information regarding how to prevent repetitive stress injuries.
How to Practice Guitar: Single String Exercises
Jen Trani, guitarist, explains how to use single string exercises to enhance your guitar playing technique and speed. Spending just a short time each day doing these exercises will help you become a more accurate guitar player.
How to Practice Guitar: Picking Hand Exercises
Jen Trani, guitarist, teaches a variety of picking hand exercises. Hand exercises, once mastered, will build the skill of any guitar player.
How to Practice Guitar: Troubleshooting The Fret Hand
Host Jen Trani talks through potential issues with the fret hand and explains how these common obstacles can be overcome.
How to Tune a Guitar
Host Jen Trani, guitarist, teaches viewers how to use an electric tuner to tune their guitar. Trani describes what to look for on the guitar tuner display screen.
Guitar String Names
Jen Trani, guitarist, goes over the names of the strings on the guitar. Trani provides some useful advice about how to remember the names of individual guitar strings.
How to Hammer on a Guitar
Jen Trani, guitarist, explains techniques for hammering on the guitar. Hammering involves producing sound from your guitar without using a guitar pick.
How to Pull Off on a Guitar
Jen Trani, guitarist, describes how to implement the pulling off technique on the guitar. Pulling off involves making sound on the guitar using only your fretting hand.
How to Practice Guitar: Troubleshooting The Picking Hand Answers
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Meet Our Experts
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Jen Trani
Meet Jen, one of Mahalo's guitar experts. Born and raised in Denver, Jen Trani has been playing guitar in all styles since the age of 13. Having earned her bachelor's degree in music performance from the Musicians Institute in Los Angeles, Trani teaches guitar and plays lead with several bands. She also appeared in the Shirelles-inspired '60s musical ''Baby It's You,'' ''The Price Is Right,'' and is the composer for an online series of video shorts.
