Re: Developing a lighter touch
Brett Bottomley wrote:
Honestly, recognizing the problem is the biggest hurdle.
overall when I want to add something to my playing I just consciously add it into my practice routine. In other words practice touching more lightly.
Greg Howard is a great guy to talk to,
You may be using too much finger and not enough large motor movement. In other words use your wrist and whole arm and upper body to stike a note, it may seem like you would get even more power (and you can) but you gain greater control over dynamics.
Also watch some Steve Adelson videos, he is a master of light touch and fluidity.
where are you from? They will both be at the NorthEast seminar!!!!!!
shameless promoter
Brett
Thanks for the nod, Brett,
From my perspective, the goal is not a lighter touch but a more consistent control of dynamics. The best way I've found to do this is to focus on supporting the fingers with large muscle movements in the arms.
This has several benefits:
1. increased dynamic control (anyone who has been to one of my seminars or taken lesson with me can attest to this).
2. better timing (because giving the fingers the job of timing is too much additional responsibility)
3. better tone (this is a big one). More controlled energy transferred to the string means a stronger fundamental.
If you think of a dancer, where the feet touch the floor is only the last ultimate point, and is supported by movements of the whole body. Tapping an be just like that, or it can be like typing. I prefer to dance on the fretboard than to type on it
The last point is to make sure you tap just behind the fret whenever possible. This will also give you a cleaner, more consistent attack and fatter sound.
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