doublestop
Mar-05-2004, 5:33pm
Help, help, I need help. I have been playing for about 4 yrs. now and work very hard at my technique, but I'm afraid I have developed a bad habit that is slowing me down. I have these high stepping fretting fingers. My fingers are too far from the fretboard and I believe it slows me down. Is there anything I can do to correct this? Does anyone know what I mean and if so what can I do to help myself?
I have had students who suffered from the problem you describe, and have had some success by having them practice with the left hand positioned about an inch or so from something solid like a wall or a chair back, to physically limit the outward movement of the left hand fingers. If you are diligent about it, you eventually should be able to comfortably play with far less left hand and finger movement without some sort of barrier. Another way might be to work on songs you can literally "play in your sleep" so that you can concentrate on trying to lessen the movement of your "flailing left hand. Once you feel you are having some success with a few songs, watch yourself play in a mirror to keep reminding yourself to economize the left hand movement. Good luck.