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Chapter 3: Grab Hold, Tune Up, Play On!
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When starting out with a pick for single-string playing, many people wonder
whether they’re exerting too much effort, going too far past the string, or not
going far enough. Really, these problems work themselves out without thinking
about them too much.
Generally, as long as you don’t accidentally hit the adjacent string in your
single-string picking, you’re not going too far. And after you clear the string
and it rings out clearly, you’ve gone far enough. However, your pick strokes
do become smaller and your wrist motions more efficient the more you play.
Also, the tempo dictates how closely you need to restrict your strokes: Fast
songs require a small range, but slow songs don’t require you to turn-aroundon-a-dime,
so you can be a little more expansive.
Getting Situated
I bet you’ve seen those classic pictures of Delta blues players seated, usually
on a stool or chair, and often on a porch. They’re strumming away on their guitars
and singing about their woes. Many early blues players did just that —
they sat — not only while jamming or playing for a small group but also while
performing in concert. But you don’t have to sit; in fact, whatever’s most comfortable
for you is the way you should play. You can play the blues sitting or
standing (or lying down if it makes you feel good).
Current stage practices often demand that performers stand whenever possible.
And when you’re standing, you certainly enjoy a freedom of movement in
your whole body that allows you to be more demonstrative with your music.
Standing doesn’t necessarily give you any technical advantage when playing
the blues, but anyone who plays for an audience generally stands.
But standing and sitting have different ways for the guitar to rest in your
arms, so make sure you can play comfortably in both positions. If you practice
a lot while sitting, make sure that you get up and walk around the room
as you play. If nothing else, this stretches your legs — so your fingers and
hands don’t get all the exercise.
Sitting down . . .
Just because you’re playing the blues doesn’t mean you can get too casual
about your approach. You’re still trying to master a musical instrument
after all, and that requires a serious and consistent approach to holding the
instrument — even if you opt to do it off your feet.
TEAM LinG