Any secrets to releasing the tension/stress in my picking hand? Just the simple forward roll is troublesome. As I try to speed up I can feel the tension clear up to my elbow. I’ve tried adjusting to where only the ring finger is planted instead of both it and the little finger. I’ve tried just playing more relaxed but the tension quickly returns.
I would think after three years of practicing and playing, something like this would be history.
As a point of reference, I am working on the course for playing “Boil Them Cabbage Down”.
Tension/Stress in picking hand
Hi @dflannery Darrell Unless you are gifted building speed is a slow and gradual process. If you try to rush you build tension in your arm and picking hand. After 17 years I get tension if I try to play fast.
Which roll pattern are you using? It could be down to motor skills in you hand.
Post a video let @BanjoBen see what your doing
Howdy @dflannery!
Yes, a video submission would help. You can record it on your phone, upload to youtube, then post a link here.
May I suggest that you try pinky only? You mention trying ring only, but not the other way around. I have to anchor only my pinky or lots of tension builds.
I started working on this last night. I’m only playing the index finger lead for now. I would like to see what you think needs correcting. Fretting position and chording, picking hand position and anchoring is a lot to work on at one time. I know both of them are reverting to their old ways at times.
Thanks so much for making these resources available and helping out!
Thanks! From the front view, all looks great! Have you tried anchoring the pinky only and see what happens to that ring finger and the tension?
I’m glad to hear you like how things look. I’m still having to think about the fretting hand position but it is becoming more natural.
I am forcing myself to anchor only the pinky. It is a little awkward but it has not made anything worse. The ring finger will move during playing but I suppose that is freeing up the motion of the other fingers. In theory I think it will be better and I’ll keep working on it.
Leading with the index finger on the forward roll is the most difficult of the three, but of course that is getting easier the more I play it.
As long as you are not seeing anything else of concern, I’ll continue work on the course.
I am of the opinion that if you look for faults in your playing you’ll find them. Teachers over on the BHO used to raise the topic of fixing student’s bad habit’s as a selling point to their teaching method. I saw this as a discourtesy to students trying their best to learn to play banjo from what limited means they had. If you instil doubt the student will always be asking what am I doing wrong,
My advice is study @BanjoBen 's hands, LISTEN to what he tells you, follow his example and you will soon build confidence in your own ability and not have to rely on others to reassure you your on the right path. Have faith in yourself and trust in your teacher
Copy that! Makes sense.