Rest strokes...arrgh..my brain hurts

[michelew]

I've been practicing Hectors latest lessons for right-hand classical technique, which are great. Check them out if you haven't already.

When fingerpicking (which is most of the time), I always use 'free-strokes'. But, I've been trying rest-strokes (with my thumb) as recommended by Hector. OMG - they feel so strange! My brain really needs to develop some new pathways. And I'm finding that I can't do them quickly.

I'm really not sure that I'm doing them properly. But, I'm going to persist until I have another skill for my tool box.

I'd love to hear from others. What has been your experience? Was there any specific piece of advice that made them gel/work for you? Or is it just another case of do them until they feel natural?

If you went through this stage too, how did you overcome it and how long did it take?

I'm looking forward to hearing your experiences.

Thanks

Michele

[willem]

do you mean that you rest your thumb on the string below the one you have hit???

[mark]

I'm with you on this one.

I have never played rest strokes before and I am having similar problems to you.
The very fact of placing the thumb on the next string down makes me want to pluck it rather than let the thumb just rest there.
I am practicing just the thumb rest strokes with a very simple appeggio and practicing the real exercises seperatley with all free strokes.

I'm having a go at the planting of the right hand fingers before playing them as well.
Having just as many problems with these as well.

However in the couple of days I've been practising I can can see that I have made some progress.

[michelew]

willem wrote:

do you mean that you rest your thumb on the string below the one you have hit???

Yes. Instead of swinging freely, the thumb ends up resting on the next string down.

[sws626]

Hi Michele,

This is something I've been meaning to work on, but haven't yet. So you are already quite a bit further along on this path. But if I discover anything that helps along the way, I'll let you know.

By the way, I'm having trouble findng Hector's discussion of this. Can you post a link?

-Stuart

[michelew]

Mark, I'm glad you're finding that too. I feel like a real beginner again.

I'm doing similar things to you. Practicing the rest stroke fairly slowly (which is starting to come together but sloooooowwwly) and then practicing the exercises with all free strokes and trying to increase my speed.

I am seeing progress too, but the rest strokes feel strange.

Ahh... that feels better, just to know that I'm not the only one.

Thanks

Michele

[michelew]

sws626 wrote:

Hi Michele,

This is something I've been meaning to work on, but haven't yet. So you are already quite a bit further along on this path. But if I discover anything that helps along the way, I'll let you know.

By the way, I'm having trouble findng Hector's discussion of this. Can you post a link?

-Stuart

No problem Stuart. Here it is.

http://www.totallyguitars.com/target-so ... nd-studies

[willem]

I've bin thru the lesson now and listen and tryed a litlle on execises one and two, so i let you know or show how it goes,,i discover that it helps me also on the quick rolls Neil makes sometimes(you know,, like a strum,but then a very very quick fingerpickin arpeggio,,rolls),

[RicksPick]

Count me in too Michele
Such a simple exercise in principle
But finding it hard
Also the G7 is a difficult chord for me too, lol

RicksPick

[willem]

Exercise 2,,experience,,when i lay my thumb to rest,then i must be aware of that he is already there for the next bas note,,but then go back on the last triple in the measer ,that gives me a strange feeling(not on time there),,so i must do it very slow,slooooow,sloooooooooowmotion..(practice it about 15 minutes..)