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TuneUp is an exploration of how we relate with our instrument. It is concerned primarily with the physical connection, how we contact the guitar. It starts with a graded physical relaxation program tailored specifically for guitarists and progresses through studies of anatomy and biomechanics as well as technique assessments and exercises.
There is a lot of information here. It can be used purely as a resource, picking out the bits that interest you, or as a course of study through a series of graded theoretical and practical components. If you choose to take this course remember that it teaches you new skills that take time to learn and then integrate into your playing. It presents a thorough theoretical background that can take some time to fully grasp.
Don't expect miracles and look at your commitment as a long term one, the same as you do with your playing. Spend as little as 10 or 15 minutes a day on the approaches discussed here, what have you got to lose? If it works you can buy me a beer.
The Technique Wars
Well I'm finally sitting down with that beer (thanks to Paul and Suzanne) and figured it's about time I got started on the blog. When I mention to guitar players that I've got this site and try to explain what it's about I'm nearly always met with one of two responses. The first is the technique fascist who automatically assumes that I'll back him or her up in the ongoing war against the "unbelievers" and then there's the unbelievers themselves who assume that I'm about to start preaching to them about "correct" technique.
Standing Posture
The natural position for most modern electric guitars is hanging from a strap. It allows you to avoid the big problem with the guitarists posture - sitting. Classical guitar players long ago developed a way to sit and play that works well for the classical guitar but is simply too cumbersome for larger steel string and electric guitars. That's OK we'll take advantage of the strap and learn to stand properly and then we can start to look at the problems we encounter when we sit down.
Progressive relaxation
The technique
Relaxation exercises tend to be classified as either mental or physical. Mental relaxation techniques generally involve visualisation and are commonly used in therapeutical situations and even many spiritual traditions.
Musicians tend to spend enough time in their heads so I prefer physical exercises such as this one. Importantly for the rest of the program it begins the process of focusing on specific areas of your body.
Wrist biomechanics for guitar players
Apart from contributing to the position of the hand the primary function of the wrist that has relevance for us is its role in adjusting the tension in the extrinsic muscles of the hand. The wrist flexors and extensors described previously insert onto the carpal bones, parallel to these the extrinsic hand muscles cross the wrist and continue onto the fingers.
The functional anatomy of the shoulder
The shoulder positions the hand in space and demonstrates a wider and more varied range of movements than any other structure. Movement at three joints and a mobile base in the scapula allows the arm to move through it's full range.
The clavicle moves forward and backward, up and down, and rotates on it's own axis. Rotation accommodates scapula movement at the outer ranges of abduction while the larger movements position the shoulder at the lateral end of the pectoral girdle.