If you have been following my blogs, I have discussed proper nail care and seating position. Our next topic of discussion is right hand technique, specifically, how to stroke the strings to get the optimal tone and relaxed technique. Notice I didn’t say “pluck” the strings. This brings up my first point.
The guitar is often categorized as a plucked string instrument, but nothing could be further from the truth. Plucking the string entails the act of pulling on the string in an outward motion, much like the quills of a harpsichord. Do that on a guitar, and you get a horrible, snapping sound. As an effect, OK, but in general, not what we are looking for in a general, all around tone. Ideally, what should happen is that the string, after the stroke, vibrates PERPENDICULAR to the soundboard. Let me explain.
The strings of the guitar can vibrate two ways - either perpendicular to the soundboard, or parallel to the soundboard. A parallel vibration creates a weaker, thinner sound, as the top of the guitar does not fully vibrate, yielding a weaker sound. Sometimes this might be the desired effect, but, if you’re looking for more volume and a rounder tone, the string needs to vibrate perpendicular to the top. Classical guitarists will use what is called a rest stroke, where the player actually pushes inward on the string with the finger, afterwards coming to rest on the next string. Bluegrass players will do the same thing with a pick. When the strings vibrates in this manner, more, if not all, of the soundboard vibrates, producing a full rich tone.
Having the guitar angled, using some sort of support of footstool, and having the fingernails properly filed and in good condition, will greatly aid in making this happen. The last thing we need to think about is how the right hand fingers actually move.
There are three joints in the finger:
Tip joint
Middle joint
Knuckle joint
Mechanically, it is much more efficient to have all the joints moving in the same direction, either flexing into the palm, or extending away from the palm. This ensures that only one set of muscles or tendons are being used. Improper joint movement will cause both the flexor tendons (into the palm) and extensors (away from the palm) to be used at the same time. The result is tendons pulling on tendons, causing unwanted tension in the finger. Now, on to joint movement.
It is practically impossible to move solely from the tip joint, so we will move on to the middle joint.
If primary movement is from the middle joint, the result is a pulling on the string in an outward motion (not what we are looking for, as discussed earlier). Also, this causes the finger to actually move in two different directions.
Before the stroke
Finger moving in two different directions
The half of the finger from the middle joint to the tip is moving INTO the palm, while the half of the finger from the knuckle to the middle joint is moving AWAY from the palm. The result is the tendons being pulled in two different directions, causing tension.
Movement from the knuckle joint ensures the ENTIRE finger and all joints are moving in the SAME direction, either away from the palm, or into the palm.
Before the stroke
All joints moving in same direction
AND … only one set of tendons are being used, either the flexors or extensors. The result? Much more relaxed and efficient movement. Also, and this is the most important part, the string will actually be deflected so the vibration is PERPENDICULAR to the soundboard! Relaxation AND great tone! What more could you wish for!
This is quite a complex topic, and there can be much more detail involved, but for now, this is a general surface explanation to get you thinking. If you wish to learn more, please feel free to contact me and I would be glad to discuss this topic further.
I hope this gives you something to think about, and helps you on your way to better tone and a more relaxed right hand.
Here’s to a more efficient right hand!
Keith