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Old June 29th, 2009, 04:30 PM   #25 (permalink)
klasaine
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Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: los angeles, ca
Age: 47
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I don't think any of us are writing off the 'strength' thing. Just saying that it's the least of one's concerns (unless, as I mentioned previously, you're overcoming an injury or debilitation). The problem with stuff like this or the commercial 'finger exercisers' is that folks use these things to supplant practice.

This is what they teach you when you study, (study seriously), classical guitar ...

"To fret notes cleanly we not only need strength, but also accuracy and flexibility. If we are not accurate with where we place our fingers then the note will not sound cleanly, no matter how much pressure we use. In fact most people when they first pick up the guitar use too much force.

When we learn something new we are tense. However tension inhibits muscle movement. To move hands flexibly, cleanly and accurately on the guitar requires relaxation - the muscles must be soft.

If you are continuously practicing strengthening exercises there is a danger of developing muscle overuse syndrome or repetitive strain injury - RSI. If you ever you feel pain in your wrist arms or fingers, STOP!

The idea is to release as much tension as possible – this is how we really begin to learn. Become aware of tension in different parts of your body and try to release. The fingers are attached to the body which is attached to the brain. Relax the brain – relax the body - relax the fingers
."

You WILL get all the strength you need if you work on accuracy, tone production, playing in time, etc. and do it for a couple of hours a day. It's kind of an age old prescription.

Again ... strength training done properly can't hurt and it may help in the case of injury. And it may help minutely if you also practice.
*I also believe that the strength training can suffice as a warm-up.
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