Lesson: Beginner Right Hand Technique for Classical Guitar

This is Classical Guitar

28 Mar 201511:48

Summary

TLDRThis video lesson focuses on basic right-hand position and technique for classical guitar. The instructor demonstrates natural hand positioning, emphasizing a comfortable wrist arch and moving fingers towards the palm. He highlights common mistakes, such as collapsing the wrist ('the crab') or improper thumb placement. The lesson explains the difference between free stroke and rest stroke and the importance of keeping the hand relaxed while playing. The video also discusses whether the tip joint of the fingers should collapse, noting that opinions vary depending on playing style. Multiple perspectives are provided to enhance understanding.

Takeaways

😀 Maintain a comfortable arch in your wrist to avoid strain.
👍 Move your fingers towards the palm, like making a fist, instead of moving them outward.
🎸 Avoid collapsing your wrist, commonly known as 'the crab' position, for better technique.
👌 Ensure that your thumb stays outside of the fingers, not caught between them.
🎶 When playing, your hand position should remain consistent whether you're using free strokes or rest strokes.
📏 Use the upper knuckle to control finger movement for precision and better technique.
🚫 Avoid letting your fingers kick outward; they should always move inward toward the palm.
🛑 Don't collapse your knuckles or overly tense your hand; a relaxed position is essential for fluid playing.
👀 Understand that whether the tip joint of your fingers should collapse is a debated topic and can vary by technique.
🔄 Your wrist and hand position should stay relaxed and consistent, regardless of playing tempo or loudness.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the lesson in the video?
-The main focus of the lesson is to teach proper right-hand position and technique for classical guitar, including the natural hand arch and movement of the fingers toward the palm.
Why is the teacher's head cut off in the video?
-The teacher's head is cut off to provide a closer view of the hand, allowing the viewer to better see the right-hand position and technique.
What is the importance of maintaining a comfortable arch in the wrist?
-A comfortable arch in the wrist helps avoid forcing the wrist too far up or down, ensuring that the hand moves naturally and efficiently while playing.
What is the proper motion for the fingers while playing the guitar?
-The fingers should move inward towards the palm as if making a fist, with the thumb positioned on the outside of the fingers. This motion should come from the upper knuckle.
What is the 'crab' hand position, and why is it incorrect?
-The 'crab' hand position refers to a collapsed wrist with fingers extending outward awkwardly. It is incorrect because it makes it difficult to move the fingers naturally toward the palm and leads to inefficient playing.
How does incorrect wrist positioning affect playing?
-If the wrist is positioned too low, it becomes difficult to move the fingers inward toward the palm, forcing the player to pull the fingers outward, which can create tension and inefficient hand movements.
What is the difference between free strokes and rest strokes in guitar playing?
-A free stroke occurs when you pluck a string and bypass the other strings, while a rest stroke pushes the string inward and rests on the string below it. Both strokes use the same hand position.
Should the tip joint of the finger collapse while playing?
-Opinions on whether the tip joint should collapse vary. Some teachers say it is acceptable to let it collapse, while others disagree. The teacher in the video believes it is okay for the tip joint to collapse during slower tempos or relaxed playing but suggests keeping it firm when playing fast or loud.
How can a student check if their fingers are moving correctly toward the palm?
-A student can place an object like a metronome at the starting point where the fingers touch the string. If the fingers move inward without knocking the object away, the motion is correct. If they kick the object outward, the fingers are moving incorrectly.
What are some common mistakes that students make with thumb positioning?
-Some students place the thumb between the fingers or move it too far in one direction. The correct thumb position is outside the fingers, avoiding interference with finger movement.

Outlines

00:00

🎸 Introduction to Right-Hand Position and Perspective

This paragraph introduces the lesson on basic right-hand position and technique for classical guitar. The instructor explains the setup, which includes a demonstration from both a teacher's and player's perspective. The key focus is on maintaining a natural hand arch, moving the fingers towards the palm, and ensuring the thumb stays on the outside of the fingers. The paragraph emphasizes that students should avoid common mistakes, such as bending the wrist too much or collapsing the hand, which can lead to improper playing techniques.

05:02

👌 Correcting Common Right-Hand Position Issues

The paragraph highlights common mistakes students make when positioning their right hand, such as the 'crab' hand where the wrist collapses. The instructor emphasizes the importance of maintaining a natural, relaxed wrist arch and moving the fingers inward toward the palm while avoiding bending the fingers outward. The thumb should remain on the outside of the fingers. The paragraph discusses how improper wrist position can affect the ability to play across strings, and provides corrective techniques to avoid such issues, ensuring that the hand stays balanced and functional.

10:06

🧭 Differences Between Rest Stroke and Free Stroke

This section explains the difference between rest stroke and free stroke. A free stroke involves plucking the string without touching others, while a rest stroke involves pushing the string inward and resting on the adjacent string. The instructor emphasizes that the basic hand position should remain unchanged between the two strokes. Common errors such as allowing the fingers to collapse or the wrist to flatten during rest strokes are also discussed. The goal is to maintain a relaxed yet functional hand position for both types of strokes.

🤔 Should the Tip Joint Collapse?

In this paragraph, the instructor addresses the controversial topic of whether the tip joint (the knuckle at the fingertip) should collapse while playing. The instructor takes a middle-ground approach, suggesting that it is acceptable for the tip joint to collapse during slow and quiet playing but not during faster or louder playing. The balance between functional tension and relaxation is discussed, with the recommendation that students focus on avoiding excessive bracing of the finger. The instructor acknowledges that different teachers may have varying opinions on this subject.

👁 Player's Perspective on Right-Hand Position

The instructor shifts to a player’s perspective view to demonstrate the same right-hand techniques. Emphasis is placed on the correct wrist arch and finger movement, specifically moving the fingers inward toward the palm, as if making a fist. The paragraph highlights common mistakes such as students yanking fingers outward or misplacing the thumb. The instructor reinforces the need for a relaxed hand position and correct finger movement to ensure proper technique.

🔑 Free Stroke Demonstration and Hand Position Recap

In this final section, the instructor demonstrates free strokes while highlighting key points about hand position. The importance of keeping the wrist relaxed and the fingers moving naturally toward the palm is reiterated. The instructor cautions against collapsing the wrist, the knuckles, or misplacing the thumb. The video concludes with a recommendation for students to explore the website for additional resources on posture, technique, and reference materials on hand positioning.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Right-hand position

This refers to the correct posture and alignment of the right hand when playing classical guitar. In the video, the instructor emphasizes maintaining a comfortable arch in the wrist and ensuring that the fingers move naturally towards the palm, avoiding awkward positions like 'the crab.'

💡Arch

The term 'arch' refers to the natural curve or bend in the wrist that the player should maintain while playing the guitar. The video stresses that the wrist should not be forced too high or too low, but should remain in a relaxed and comfortable position to facilitate fluid finger movements.

💡Crab

The 'crab' is a common mistake among beginners where the wrist collapses, causing the hand to lose its natural arch and the fingers to spread out unnaturally. The video uses this term to caution against improper technique, as it can hinder effective string plucking.

💡Free stroke

A free stroke occurs when the fingers pluck the string and move past it without resting on another string. In the video, the instructor highlights that the hand position should remain the same whether the player is using a free stroke or rest stroke.

💡Rest stroke

A rest stroke involves plucking the string and letting the finger come to rest on the adjacent string. The video explains that, despite the change in stroke, the hand position should not alter significantly from that used for a free stroke.

💡Knuckles

Knuckles refer to the joints in the fingers, particularly the upper joint responsible for finger movement in classical guitar technique. In the video, the instructor stresses the importance of moving the fingers in towards the palm from this upper joint, rather than extending them outward.

💡Tip joint collapse

The collapse of the tip joint refers to the bending of the last joint in the finger during plucking. The video discusses the differing views among teachers about whether the tip joint should collapse, with the instructor advocating for a relaxed approach where it's acceptable under certain conditions, such as slower tempos.

💡Thumb position

The thumb plays a crucial role in classical guitar technique, particularly in relation to finger placement. The video instructs that the thumb should remain on the outside of the fingers, allowing for a smooth playing motion. Improper thumb positioning can impede finger movement and technique.

💡Wrist collapse

Wrist collapse refers to the breakdown of proper wrist posture, which can negatively affect finger movement and playing technique. In the video, the instructor highlights the importance of avoiding wrist collapse, particularly when performing free strokes and rest strokes.

💡Functional tension

Functional tension is the controlled and necessary tension a player applies to their fingers during faster or louder playing. The video contrasts this with dysfunctional tension, which can negatively impact playing, emphasizing that functional tension can be used effectively without causing strain or improper technique.

Highlights

Introduction to right-hand position and technique for classical guitar, with a focus on a natural and comfortable hand position.

Demonstrating how to use the hand in a natural way without forcing the wrist too high or too low; aim for a comfortable arch.

Importance of moving fingers in towards the palm, similar to making a fist, while keeping the thumb outside the fingers.

Avoid collapsing the wrist into the 'crab' position, which limits proper finger movement across the strings.

Maintain a comfortable wrist arch to allow fingers to move naturally towards the palm, aiding in playing the strings without bending the wrist awkwardly.

Common mistakes include letting the wrist drop too low or moving fingers outward rather than in towards the palm.

Guidance on correct thumb positioning: the thumb should never get caught between fingers or move too far in any direction.

Measuring proper finger movement: when placing fingers on strings, they should move towards the palm without kicking outward.

Distinguishing between free strokes and rest strokes: free strokes bypass other strings, while rest strokes push the string inward and rest on the next string.

Hand position remains consistent between free strokes and rest strokes; avoid collapsing knuckles or bending fingers unnaturally.

Discussion on tip joint collapse: some teachers allow it, while others don't; the speaker suggests that it's acceptable in slower tempos but avoids collapsing during fast, loud playing.

Key hand technique tip: always focus on keeping a relaxed hand position without forcing tension into the fingers or wrist.

When playing faster or louder, some functional tension is necessary to prevent tip joint collapse, but it shouldn't lead to dysfunctional tension.

Recap from the player's perspective: emphasize the same hand position and technique with a relaxed wrist and fingers moving inward, avoiding the 'crab' position.

Final tips on maintaining good posture and hand technique: keep fingers relaxed, avoid collapsing knuckles or wrists, and remember that proper finger movement involves bringing fingers inwards.