Oh, the reality!

[netmouse]

I can tell I'm getting real guitar lessons because yesterday I was assigned to do isometric exercises that seriously make my whole hand hurt, from the stretching and the muscles not used to doing that and stuff. (Index on third fret and hold down (play string continuously) add middle on fourth and keep holding both and add ring finger on fifth fret and hold and play and then pinky on 6th. Keep playing and release them, one by one. Go down one string. repeat.)

I suddenly found myself remembering playing the baritone horn with braces on. Interesting that I should have this old old association between mastering music and pain...

The pain in my fingertips is going down a bit, I think. trying not to be too optimistic about that part though.

Comments

[encorecrazay.livejournal.com]

Some day, I'll learn to play that guitar I bought a few years ago.

[timprov.livejournal.com]

I'm hitting the point right now where it's becoming obvious that my left hand and right shoulder are getting into really good shape, while the reverse is definitely not true. It's very odd.

I think I need a left-handed banjo or something.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_earthshine_/]

The fingertips thing can get much much better with time if you keep playing fairly regularly.

The finger stretch you describe is one i used to do, too. The guy who taught me actually had me start much higher -- like index on 7th fret, i think -- and then, after walking all six strings, shifting down a fret. He also had me do it in pairs of fingers first -- the whole exercise -- then repeat with the chromatics. It might provide a more gradual stretch for you. *shrug* FWIW. If you'd like to try it, i can show you sometime.

Overall, tho -- cool that you're workin' it!!