Staying relaxed

[Rock_Rocket]

Hi there,

do you guys have any advice for me how to stay relaxed while playing. I discovered that I'm often really the opposite of being relaxed and especially my right arm sometimes really hurts due to too much tension. Though I really try to be relaxed I often feel very uncomfortable while playing and this really kills a lot of motivation. :mad:
Maybe that's a stupid thought... - but might a "poor" overall condition be the reason for that uncomfortable feeling while playing ("lack" of muscles and so on). Im 6.43 ft. tall but my weight's only 65 kg - see? :rolleyes:

Any comments are appreciated!

Rock_Rocket

[Mike]

I have a picture right next to me, of Homer Simpson lying on his sofa with a beer in his hand. The pictures helps me relax when I play, 'cause Homer looks very relaxed. I know this sounds crazy but I'm not kidding

[EricV]

Well, I always check that I don´t tense up my arm ( picking hand ). I somewhere read that alternate picking is similar to shaking water of your hand. That was good advice, I always try to keep that in mind.

When I realize that I tense up, I stop and start to relax my whole body before I continue playing... it´s something that happens, sometimes you don´t even notice, so you goota keep checking that you´re relaxed.
It also helps to sit comfortably ( Straight back )...
Eric

[Mike]

Originally posted by EricV
Well, I always check that I don´t tense up my arm ( picking hand ). I somewhere read that alternate picking is similar to shaking water of your hand. That was good advice, I always try to keep that in mind.

When I realize that I tense up, I stop and start to relax my whole body before I continue playing... it´s something that happens, sometimes you don´t even notice, so you goota keep checking that you´re relaxed.
It also helps to sit comfortably ( Straight back )...
Eric

That water thing is a damn good advice.. I'll use it from now on!!


THIS FORUM ROCK!

[Greg]

I was tensing up all the time when I started out, especially in my right shoulder, but now I´ve been able stay relaxed and increase speed quite a bit due to good advice from Jamey Andreas. Check out his site:

http://www.guitarprinciples.com

Hope this helps!

[daviej]

I found playing things REALLY slow with a metronome and REALLY gradually speeding them up made a world of difference.

David

[Oceano]

What works very well for me, is to watch a player I like, for a few minutes before I practice. Back in the day, I would put on a tape of Paul Gilbert, Malmsteen, SRV, etc, and after watching it for a few minutes, I would be so inspired that I would practice right after it, and I always had the best practice sessions that way. Also, I seemed to play better, and much more relaxed.