A while back I got to see John Doyle in a really hot late-night session. They went for at least 2 hours, only stopped 2 or 3 times, and at one point did 45 minutes straight (which included something like 13 reels in a row). I'm asking myself, how does Doyle play as he does, with his rhythmic style and intensity, for 45 minutes non-stop, without having to replace his bionic arm on a daily basis? One conclusion was that he must be really, really relaxed (along with talented and experienced, of course) to be able to pull that off. (My right arm gets tired if we do three tunes in a row.)
So, do any guitarists, or others, have suggestions on how to relax while playing, especially the right (strumming) arm?
It sounds like you are playing from the arm and gripping too tightly, I have certain general tension in my upper body but it doesn't really affect the amount of time I can play for, probably because I play from the wrist rather than the arm. I spent the whole of last week in Milltown playing for hours on end without much problem. So chances are you need to focus on how you are strumming and also don't try to emulate John Doyle, he's got his own style that only he could really get away with because he's very musical. I've heard a lot of John Doyle wannabe's ruining sessions because simply they were not John Doyle! So maybe you are playing too hard and loud too. It's hard to know exactly without seeing you play.
Also if you slouch when you play that can affect you, if you look at John Doyle he has a very upright posture, no slouching from him.
Despite all the techniques that will be offered up for this question it still goes back to your state of mind. Relax!
I do not want to short change the advice from all those who have expertise but even the slightest tension will eventually wear you out. This should be a good thread.
Cheers.
One thing maybe. When I saw John Hartford playing on the film,
"Down From the Mountain" It really helped me relax my playing style. He was of course on deaths' door yet he played with such ease.
So M-H, when you say PILLS (as opposed to pills) you mean two aspirin instead of just one. Or are you implying in a veiled way that I should step up to, say, ibuprofen?
Warm up. Particularly in rehersal if I walk in and procceed to play my band's opening set without having warmed up (a fairly brisk set of jigs), by the end of the 5min set my right arm aches. Whereas if I get there 10min early and spend it warming up it doesn't phase me.
Failing that, look at how hard you hold the pick, whether or not you make a fist with the middle, ring and little fingers and how much pressure is on that. Pressure also builds up around the shoulder, particularly if you're using a Dreadnaught style guitar, both in terms of pushing the shoulder up and back. Consider your right leg positioning - using a guitar stool or cushion might look odd but can do wonders for posture if used for a month or two.
If the tension isn't in any of those places, sit in front of a full length mirror and watch yourself play. You'll spot it fairly quickly.
If your arm is getting sore, perhaps you're not using your wrist to fullest advantage. I find it's pretty easy to play for an arbitrary stretch of time if I'm letting my wrist do a lot of the work. Try to let the motion come from the wrist, although the forearm will still be moving, to carry the pick across the strings.
If that doesn't sound like it's the problem, it might be tension in the shoulder, that can go right down your arm, and show up as ulnar nerve problems (along the outside of the forearm, from the elbow up to the small finger and the ring finger) in the long run. Make sure you're sitting up straight, behind the guitar and not leaning on it or over it - a classical player's foot rest will help, I use one all the time - and try to stretch. One stretch useful for this is to raise your elbows to about shoulder height, inhale, and bring them forward until they meet in front of you (your hands will be at your shoulders). Then exhale and reverse that motion as far as your arms want to go, and repeat a few times. This should loosen up the muscles under your shoulder blades, which get very tense for a lot of guitar players.
Thanks to everyone for the many and varied suggestions. I will take them all seriously (still a little vague on the PILLS idea, but the many forms of alcohol sounds like an idea grounded in years of practical experience) and see what happens.
Guitar relaxation techniques
Guitar relaxation techniques
A while back I got to see John Doyle in a really hot late-night session. They went for at least 2 hours, only stopped 2 or 3 times, and at one point did 45 minutes straight (which included something like 13 reels in a row). I'm asking myself, how does Doyle play as he does, with his rhythmic style and intensity, for 45 minutes non-stop, without having to replace his bionic arm on a daily basis? One conclusion was that he must be really, really relaxed (along with talented and experienced, of course) to be able to pull that off. (My right arm gets tired if we do three tunes in a row.)
So, do any guitarists, or others, have suggestions on how to relax while playing, especially the right (strumming) arm?
# Posted on July 20th 2007 by ayedbl
Re: Guitar relaxation techniques
It sounds like you are playing from the arm and gripping too tightly, I have certain general tension in my upper body but it doesn't really affect the amount of time I can play for, probably because I play from the wrist rather than the arm. I spent the whole of last week in Milltown playing for hours on end without much problem. So chances are you need to focus on how you are strumming and also don't try to emulate John Doyle, he's got his own style that only he could really get away with because he's very musical. I've heard a lot of John Doyle wannabe's ruining sessions because simply they were not John Doyle! So maybe you are playing too hard and loud too. It's hard to know exactly without seeing you play.
Also if you slouch when you play that can affect you, if you look at John Doyle he has a very upright posture, no slouching from him.
Hope that helps
# Posted on July 20th 2007 by !@£$%^&*()
Re: Guitar relaxation techniques
45 minutes? Wimp! I strummed away for three hours at our last gig.
# Posted on July 20th 2007 by dafydd
Re: Guitar relaxation techniques
Despite all the techniques that will be offered up for this question it still goes back to your state of mind. Relax!
I do not want to short change the advice from all those who have expertise but even the slightest tension will eventually wear you out. This should be a good thread.
Cheers.
One thing maybe. When I saw John Hartford playing on the film,
"Down From the Mountain" It really helped me relax my playing style. He was of course on deaths' door yet he played with such ease.
# Posted on July 20th 2007 by Tonya
Re: Guitar relaxation techniques
pIlls
# Posted on July 20th 2007 by Sean MacOda Criobhan
Re: Guitar relaxation techniques
i mean PILLS!
# Posted on July 20th 2007 by Sean MacOda Criobhan
Re: Guitar relaxation techniques
that would certainly help with the acquisition of a temporarily relaxed dance technique
# Posted on July 20th 2007 by pavlf
Re: Guitar relaxation techniques
So M-H, when you say PILLS (as opposed to pills) you mean two aspirin instead of just one. Or are you implying in a veiled way that I should step up to, say, ibuprofen?
# Posted on July 21st 2007 by ayedbl
Re: Guitar relaxation techniques
Warm up. Particularly in rehersal if I walk in and procceed to play my band's opening set without having warmed up (a fairly brisk set of jigs), by the end of the 5min set my right arm aches. Whereas if I get there 10min early and spend it warming up it doesn't phase me.
Failing that, look at how hard you hold the pick, whether or not you make a fist with the middle, ring and little fingers and how much pressure is on that. Pressure also builds up around the shoulder, particularly if you're using a Dreadnaught style guitar, both in terms of pushing the shoulder up and back. Consider your right leg positioning - using a guitar stool or cushion might look odd but can do wonders for posture if used for a month or two.
If the tension isn't in any of those places, sit in front of a full length mirror and watch yourself play. You'll spot it fairly quickly.
# Posted on July 21st 2007 by Andy V
Re: Guitar relaxation techniques
Oh, PILLS. I thought you meant Pils. I like a good Pils (or two...) when I'm strumming for long periods of time.
# Posted on July 21st 2007 by gw
Re: Guitar relaxation techniques
If your arm is getting sore, perhaps you're not using your wrist to fullest advantage. I find it's pretty easy to play for an arbitrary stretch of time if I'm letting my wrist do a lot of the work. Try to let the motion come from the wrist, although the forearm will still be moving, to carry the pick across the strings.
If that doesn't sound like it's the problem, it might be tension in the shoulder, that can go right down your arm, and show up as ulnar nerve problems (along the outside of the forearm, from the elbow up to the small finger and the ring finger) in the long run. Make sure you're sitting up straight, behind the guitar and not leaning on it or over it - a classical player's foot rest will help, I use one all the time - and try to stretch. One stretch useful for this is to raise your elbows to about shoulder height, inhale, and bring them forward until they meet in front of you (your hands will be at your shoulders). Then exhale and reverse that motion as far as your arms want to go, and repeat a few times. This should loosen up the muscles under your shoulder blades, which get very tense for a lot of guitar players.
Good luck.
# Posted on July 21st 2007 by Jon Kiparsky
Re: Guitar relaxation techniques
If your arm starts to hurt after only three jigs,then you're doing something wrong.Be careful,tendonitis looms.Jon is right,it comes from the wrist.
http://www.guitarnotes.com/forum/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=12;t=000473
http://www.jointrehab.com/flatpick.htm
# Posted on July 21st 2007 by dafydd
Re: Guitar relaxation techniques
Are you resting your arm against the guitar and cutting off circulation at some point, such as under the arm etc.
# Posted on July 21st 2007 by stevecomputer
Re: Guitar relaxation techniques
Alcohol in many forms works for me
# Posted on July 21st 2007 by bazouki dave and the real tooty flutey
Re: Guitar relaxation techniques
Thanks to everyone for the many and varied suggestions. I will take them all seriously (still a little vague on the PILLS idea, but the many forms of alcohol sounds like an idea grounded in years of practical experience) and see what happens.
# Posted on July 22nd 2007 by ayedbl
Re: Guitar relaxation techniques
yeah strum from the wrist not the elbow, thats key.
# Posted on July 29th 2007 by hakanozel