Holding the plectrum

cantzon

You are using rest stroke and free stroke in way I am not familiar with.

That's really a term used to describe classical technique. I asked in another post for someone to elaborate on what exactly they mean by this.

In classical a rest stroke is harder in an "upward" direction. This is the exact same way my picking ends up being.

I think if you hold the pick with the thumb/side of forefinger grip playing upstrokes with equal volume as downstrokes may be difficult. The way I pick I can get just as much, if not more, volume with upstrokes which is what I always start descending patterns on. Since I usually group my scales three notes to the string in ends up being quite fluid at high speeds.


As for the angle the pick strikes I cn hit at any number of angles but generally I'm hitting at the exact opposite angle as from the other grip. That should yield the same tone.

I've noticed quite a bit of their claiming to be a benefit to following tradition with regard to technique. My comment on this is that things certainly will and should evolve.

I have been watching the John Jorgenson DVD's lately and am enjoying them immensely. But I must add that he uses very old technique. The fourth finger of his left hand frequently drops out of position. He also uses very work intensive fingerings to play diminished runs.

I played classical guitar competitively and have studied with some of the best. I know for a fact that the level of competition these days is too high for guitarists to cut corners on technique at the highest level.

One thing I like in Gypsy Jazz paying is the improvisation and the tolerance of tiny errors for the sake of inspiring players to go for it and take chances. I was a bit put off when I was competing in classical because I'd play a piece beautifully and some minor fret noise at one difficult passage would cost me a win. I almost got the impression the judges were not listening to what was played but for errors and imperfections.

Having said all of that I think the Jorgenson guy is a very good payer and he obviously loves what he is doing.

So far I've been really impressed with what I have heard in the gypsy jazz realm...Angelo Debarre, The Rosenberg trio, and so forth.

Since I've really enjoyed experiencing and studying this type of music I will encurage all of you to check out some people who have inspired me in the classical realm.

Check out marinaalexandra.com. She has a CD called Timeless Enchantment that has a very good set of pieces for classical. She's not rich and I studied with her. I think you might enjoy her CD and bring a bit of Ukranian flavr bck with you into the gypsy realm.

The other players I highly recommend are Marco Sartor (Uruguay), Ana Vidovic, and Franco Platino.

Thanks for all of the responses to my post. Many have been helpful.