Over the years of playing and teaching guitar, I’ve developed a technique philosophy built upon 3 key elements.
1. Nature First
I believe that guitar technique should fall in line with what feels physically natural to us. This means avoiding overextended, twisty hand positions as much as possible, and instead, working with more natural hand and finger positions as much as possible.
2. Success Leaves Clues
I’m also a big believer in studying and replicating the techniques of real-life, professional guitar players. If the large majority of pro players are doing something in a particular way, there’s a very good reason for it. Success leaves clues.
3. Individuality
And finally, technique is a very individual thing. There’s no one-size-fits-all method of playing that’s right for everyone. As individuals, we need to experiment with different ideas to find what works for us.
Take Action
When learning a new technique, take a video of your playing technique and ask yourself:
- Is my body operating in the most natural way possible?
- Does the way I’m performing a particular technique align with what the pros are doing?
- Are there any individual micro-adjustments I need to make based on the physical makeup of my hands and fingers?
Good luck, and happy practicing.