Posted by Patrick Randall on Saturday, August 4, 2007
The RH pain just didn't want to go away. I've now given it another 2 weeks without playing and this week have been trying to learn Sally Goodin from Janet Davis' YCTYB. I thought this would be easy but I guess the layoff has affected my picking. I could only get it up to 90bpm today to record at http://www.banjohangout.org/myhangout/music.asp?id=7654&musicid=4561#
(Why can't we cut/paste the actual song url now rather than the whole MP3 list?) Sorry, you'll have to go to the end of my MP3s if you want to play it (its not very good).
On the Janet Davis CD she plays it at 130bpm. I need some more practice. Lots...
One very worthwhile recent purchase has been a Korg Beatlab metronome. I have been using a wooden tick-tock but it only goes to 200bpm and to play the eight notes you need 300 odd. I think this will really help my practice.
3 comments on “19 wks - back after 2 week layoff for RH pain”
Joanchek Says:
Saturday, August 4, 2007 @3:19:11 PM
Patrick, remember that while your hand has been resting, it's also been slowly losing the dexterity and strength that you had built up for speed and attack. It will all come back quick, just not overnight. You sound great and your timing is spot-on.
stanger Says:
Sunday, August 5, 2007 @4:09:17 PM
Hi, Patrick... While 130 is a good speed for a lot of bluegrass tunes, don't worry too much about playing it that fast, especially if your hand is out of shape. If you can play it at 90-100, that's a good tempo. Think of all the 1/8 notes as quarters at first so the metronome isn't blazing away. Once you get the tune down solid, step it up just a little at a time. Be sure to keep your right hand relaxed as you crank the speed up, don't worry about making mistakes, and don't try to play too long at a speed faster than you are used to. Getting up to speed requires as much practice as learning the tune does.
TONUP Says:
Wednesday, August 8, 2007 @10:35:43 AM
Thanks for the comments on my attempt at Soldiers Joy. Also that's bad news about the wrist pain - I too suffer quite a bit wrist pain, but started taking those Glucosamine supplements a couple of months ago, which are supposed to restore some suppleness to the joints, and they seem to have helped.
I suspect that my problem is more to do with the way I hold my picking hand when playing (it's probanly old age really). I've never tried a rest from playing for that long. Did it work?
Regards
ALAN
You must sign into your myHangout account before you can post comments.
Newest Posts
'Tuner Identification' 50 min
'DrumDial' 55 min
'Jam Buddy Chord Chart' 2 hrs
'Photo of the 6th floor' 4 hrs
'Good Sunday Morning' 5 hrs
'Boucher banjo plans' 6 hrs
