Looks like we're either going to need a bass player after all, or I'm going to switch to bass for this project, or we'll take pot-luck at the Jam with a sit-in bassist. We really need three guitars for the Beatles covers so we're in a bit of a quandary. And ...

I've had something of a crash and burn and could use some advice.

I've been trying to play shuffles. It turns out my little finger won't cooperate. In piano-playing position, I can stick my little finger far out to the left side. But turned over in guitar-playing position, it firmly curls back to the other fingers. Forget Strats and Jazzmasters; I'm having trouble on my Jaguar.

I've tried every possible placement of my thumb, and playing the guitar from parallel to the ground to nearly vertical, without any benefit.

Several days of slowly working my way down from the 15th fret has resulted in some success if I stay above the 5th fret (7th to barely reach the extra shift) but every muscle in my hand, wrist, elbow, forearm and shoulder get very sore very quickly. Like almost immediately. I guess all those times I landed on my hands and wrists dumping motorcycles 40 years ago did cause some problems after all.

Is there a specific exercise I can do to safely stretch the muscles in my hand to relieve strain on everything and let me do this without risk of damage? I suppose I ought to go back to 10 flats on the Jaguar for now, too, huh? I really need some experienced advice.

Thanks!

This is really bothering me because I won't be much of a rhythm guitar player if I can't play a shuffle.

This is Noel. Reverb's at maximum an' I'm givin' 'er all she's got.

Last edited: Jul 20, 2013 12:27:38

Thanks, Mike. The Lollars have tone to spare and lighter strings would be easier to play with a hyper-stretched little finger. And rounds would provide some friction to help me keep my little finger in place.

But the big issue is just how limited my reach is. I have a 7.0 inch reach on piano (excluding my thumb) and barely a 4 inch reach on a guitar neck. It's just not enough to reliably play rhythm on Fun, Fun, Fun at the 5th fret. And totally impossible at the 3rd fret.

This is Noel. Reverb's at maximum an' I'm givin' 'er all she's got.

Last edited: Jul 21, 2013 10:23:44

People on SG101 are the best! Mike and Carol, thanks for the tips. I'm willing to try everything. I deeply appreciate your suggestions.

And three different forum members have anonymously come to my rescue, with offers of 1) a drum track for us to practice to, 2) learning the bass parts and actually coming to the Fan Fest so we have a top-notch bassist to play with, and 3) videos made just today showing me how to compensate for my hand/finger reach issues.

They contacted me privately, so I won't say who they are unless they want me to, but I can't really describe the profoundly terrific feelings they gave me.

I'd say I was speechless, but you'd all know better. But I'm close. I'm indescribably grateful. Thank you all!

This is Noel. Reverb's at maximum an' I'm givin' 'er all she's got.

Last edited: Jul 21, 2013 19:15:53

I wouldn't say "top-notch" bassist, but I'll hold the low end down.

Will

"You're done, once you're a surfer you're done. You're in. It's like the mob or something. You're not getting out." - Kelly Slater

The Luau Cinders

Staredge wrote:

I wouldn't say "top-notch" bassist, but I'll hold the low end down.

Again, super thanks!

Now we just have to finish the arrangements and record the medley so I can send it out to work with. Did I mention one of us (not me) just hurt himself changing the brakes his car and probably can't rehearse tomorrow? It's almost like I really am in a band.

This is Noel. Reverb's at maximum an' I'm givin' 'er all she's got.

Last edited: Jul 22, 2013 09:09:42

I know some of you are waiting for something. Well, since the last major update, one of us has had a serious family health crisis and has been completely unavailable. He's doing what he needs to, what I and any of us would do; put family first. The lead guitarist (our teacher) doesn't want to give up paid lessons unless we're all together. So we haven't finished the arrangement of the 16 minute medley, let alone made a recording.

Maybe I ought to take Danny's second suggestion? I can't afford the first and the third isn't working. LOL.

About the hand problem, thanks to the exercise, I learned the problem isn't actually with my little finger; it's the third finger. It can only reach out one fret, not two. The second and fourth fingers don't have this problem. I'm slowly working on it and have hope it will regain the functionality it once had.

This is Noel. Reverb's at maximum an' I'm givin' 'er all she's got.

Last edited: Jul 31, 2013 18:35:43

Good luck, Noel!

I've started playing again. Started up in a band with classmates, we play whatever the hell we want... T-Swiz to Muse to Periphery.

Also have a bit of a dilemma. I've joined a worship group, and the head wants me to have solos. I've always felt that they were cheesy at best in a worship setting and detracted from the meaning of the song. I feel that a solo is the guitarists time to show off, and that seems to defeat the purpose.

At the same time, the singer is certain that each song needs a guitar solo, and he's in a position of authority over me. I don't want to disrespect him by refusing to solo, but I'm conflicted. Am I over thinking things?

I don't care if you're christian, muslim, atheist, pastaferian, any advice helps. Thanks!

IMO.

Hey Preston, think of the guitar solo as being in dialogue with the singer. You're restating the feel and the message that the singer has conveyed in the chorus. If you structure your solo like a story, you'll bring a great dynamic to the song. Good luck and have fun with it.

https://kingpelican.bandcamp.com/

I didn't misunderstand, Preston. You said you're conflicted. I hoped knowing it's a common practice among Christian artists would relieve you of your concerns. But you have to decide if soloing in Church if right for you. I'll PM you with some good examples. If you still feel that soloing isn't for you, then stand your ground.

This is Noel. Reverb's at maximum an' I'm givin' 'er all she's got.

I haven't been online more than several minutes since the 18th. Everything's okay, but nothing went according to plan. It looks as if I missed a lot here. Today is looking pretty iffy, too. I'll try to catch up tomorrow.

All my best to everyone, and I'll be back as soon as possible.

This is Noel. Reverb's at maximum an' I'm givin' 'er all she's got.