[Vacant]

alright, lately my guitar techinque has completely fallen apart.
ive been attempting to switch from arm to wrist picking for more control, and getting my fretting hand to stay in a main position while playing anything on the neck
im doing awfully, have no practice schedule, and no orginazation to my playing anymore, i feel as if everything has fallen apart. basically, im looking for some advice from my fellow sevenstringers!

so if you can, please help me out

-tray

[distressed_romeo]

Patience is the only answer I'm afraid...well, that and slow patient practice. Try to stay aware of what your hands are doing throughout your practice sessions, and hopefully your new style will begin to feel more natural.

[bostjan]

A pinky anchor on the guitar's top might be helpful, as long as you're playing a solidbody.

But yeah, repetition is the key repetition is the key is the key the key the key key.

[Mastodon]

Pick 2 hours where you do nothing during the day. Ie. you watch tv, get on the computer etc. and practice then.

For example I do my homework from when I get home to 6. Then play guitar from 6 to 8.

[D-EJ915]

I also find it interesting that when I'm playing in drop-A on my H207 and then switch to drop-D for a day or two and then switch back I can play a lot better in drop-A but then the cycle repeats, lol.

[steve777]

Originally Posted by Vacant

alright, lately my guitar techinque has completely fallen apart.
ive been attempting to switch from arm to wrist picking for more control, and getting my fretting hand to stay in a main position while playing anything on the neck
im doing awfully, have no practice schedule, and no orginazation to my playing anymore, i feel as if everything has fallen apart. basically, im looking for some advice from my fellow sevenstringers!

so if you can, please help me out

-tray

1) Get back to basics with the metronome. It may seem funny, but you would be surprised by how many players either don't own one, or own one and never use it. Whether you are playing a seven or a six, a metronome is imperative to developing speed and accuracy.

2) Do not be afraid to take it SLOW. Technique doesn't happen over night. While it may seem boring, it is important to take it really slow and get your fingers comfortable with the mechanics of the technique you are working on. Otherwise, you will not develop the left/right hand coordination necessary to execute the technique with proficiency, and will therefore become sloppy.

3) Another thing that will really help, is to keep your fingers as close to the fretboard as possible. This will really help when it comes to developing speed. Less movement = speed

4) Many people may laugh at me, but another thing I would recommend is to practice in more of a classical style by placing the guitar on your left leg instead of the right. I even have an old footstool that I had when I studied classical guitar, that I still use. It is so much easier to develope proper hand placement and great techique by making this switch. Maybe you already practice this way, but if you don't, I would recommend giving it a try. I think you will be pleased with the results.

5) Most importantly, keep things fresh. For example, if you are working on arpeggios (sweeping or alternate picked) move the shape around and create little etudes. Once you begin to grasp the techique, always move things around and try to make it musical. It will keep thing much more interesting then just hammering on the same shape in the same position over and over. And, you just might come up with an idea that would make a great part in a future song. I have stumbled upon many great ideas while working out little etudes.

6) ALWAYS MAKE TIME FOR PRACTICE!!!

Hopefully, this helps.

[Vacant]

thanks for the advice so far, im going to try doing most of the above listed things, to be honest, i havent practiced seriously in a long while.
but im also trying to address my right and left hand technique, im switching from arm to wrist picking, and trying to find a comfortable fretting hand position. does anyone have any tips?
as far as my fretting hand goes, i might be just being too anal. im worried about my thumb and hand staying in the same position when playing anywhere on the neck, including sweeps. i notice when i sweep my thumb moves around a lot, and thats something ive been trying to fix. should it be your fingers doing 100% of the movement besides sliding up and down the neck, or otherwise?
im just really confused with technical stuff, and need some direction.

[Vacant]

bump?