Subject: RE: Re-learning left hand technique
From: McGrath of Harlow - PM
Date: 18 Feb 10 - 03:49 PM

"'there's never any reason to play anything that feels uncomfortable.' In a sense that's true, in some performing situation. But everything you play on a guitar is uncomfortable to start with."

That hasn't been my experience. Thinking back, some of it was unaccustomed, but not uncomfortable, except avoidable things like playing a steel-string for too long before my calluses built up. I meant things like stretches that are too long or playing lots of barre chords one after the other without a break.

When people play from written music, I think they often have a tendency to think they _have_ to play things exactly as written, even if the music isn't suited to their hands or is just plain too difficult.

I have a book of lute music by Bach arranged for the guitar. A few years ago, it was too hard for me. In the meantime, I've practiced other things (as described above) and a few months ago I gave it another try and now no longer find it difficult. I also have a much better idea of what's possible and not possible and what can be changed or left out, if necessary.

I think if one has to strain to play something, it's not going to sound good. That doesn't mean one shouldn't practice things that are difficult, but not to the point of it being painful.