Exercise for optimization of tension - Ask Tatyana - Guitar Tutorial 

I was taught back in the 1960's when I was told to press harder and get my fingertips right behind the frets to get a clear note. Julian Bream also supported and cultivated this "no pain, no gain" approach, which is a great pity. It's delightful to see the modern approach which is to get the instrument and the left arm in the optimum positions to bring the fingers to the frets in a natural way. I've improved so much since coming back to my guitar after several decades, simply due to this more modern and ergonomic approach. However, it still remains true that the cheaper instruments can be more difficult to play, and might require more left hand pressure to get a clear note.

I don't have a teacher so it's videos like this that really helped me out. When i started playing some time ago now, I always thought it was weird it didn't matter too much where I put my finger on the fret, I'd always get a tone. Eventually though because of the bad technique I injured my tendons twice, and had to stop playing for an entire week both times. I started putting much more focus on where I place my fingers, and started applying way less pressure, and eventually noticed when my fingers were off I'd get buzzing which in turn made me even more accurate. Now my left hand almost feels lazy, like I'm barely using it. My advice to newer people is to really pay attention to this video, because you will injure yourself if you don't

Don't get used to playing a guitar with a bad setup, such as high action, worn frets, too much neck bow. You get used to applying too much force.

Привет Татьяна. Спасибо большое за отличный урок! ты виртуоз маэстра. This is a lesson that students need to learn as early as possible. In my experience, it's pain that causes students to give up too early. I offer these lessons that I've learned the hard way. - Not every finger on the left hand needs the same tension, depending on the chord and how close the finger is to the fret. - Excessive tension with the left hand often translates to the right hand, causing picking technique problems. The right hand must remain relaxed to allow for proper and consistent technique. - Proper left hand thumb placement is also very important for distributing tension. - Leaning the guitar back a few degrees and let the weight of your arm assist in applying tension. One of my exercises is to play clean chords without using the thumb at all. - The player must also ensure that the fingernails on the left hand are trimmed properly, so that the fingernail does not contact the fretboard before the optimum (100%) tension is applied by the fleshy part of the fingertip. - Long fingernails on the left hand can cause great pain and also gouge the fretboard over time.

The harder you strike the right hand fingers ,the more pressure for your left hand.

Thank you teacher...❤❤

At 160% my guitar's fretboard snapped in half.

Wish I would have learned on a classical nylon string. I would have been able to practice much longer, especially on one handmade by a luthier. I learned on a cheap steel string guitar and the strings were a mile away from the fretboard. It was a slow painful experience to get anywhere with my practice. That's what held me back during childhood. The handcrafted guitars you are advertising are priced very reasonably, especially because they are built by a luthier. Best wishes regarding your joint venture with Raimundo Guitars. I know they are good guitars for anyone... from children to professional players.

It's very useful! Thank you very much!

I started playing classical guitar because i have thin hands and i dont have the strength to do barre chords, a problem i notice is cheaper guitars require more pressure to get clean notes then expensive ones

Thanks for this much needed deep dive into left hand pressure and technique control. You always seem to have that extra special revelation to improve our connection to the instrument. You have quickly become my online guitar teacher. Thank you.

아, 사람이셨군요. 연주하실 때만 보아서 천사인 줄 알았습니다.

Very useful thanks 😭❤️

Best tip I've received in playing over 15 years. Instantly sped up!

Optimising your pressuring might just be the most important guitar skill to master. You want to play music and you are not going to a battle. It took me too long to realise that precision cannot be replaced by force. If your fingers are bend and not pressing the string down correctly, you cannot cure it by sheer force. I never understood why I could play barre chords on my 12 string better than on my other guitars until I bought a flamenco guitar with an even wider neck, where I can play barre chords easily. I have huge hands and thin necks just don't work for me. Now I play with much less tension and my other guitars are neglected.

Здравствуйте Татьяна... Лично я не против того что твои уроки на английском... Но поскольку я его не знаю, как и многие другие твои подписчики, то было бы здорово если бы были хотя бы титры на русском... А в остальном, всё хорошо... Даже пытаюсь повторить то чего не понимаю, но хотя бы вижу)))

Amazing. Thank you very much

Quite useful tips Thank you, Tatyana! My respect from Brazil 🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷

Thank you so much for your videos they are very helpful

Very interesting video. Thank you Tatyana 👍👏🌹🌹🌹💕.

Yo, la escuché por primera vez, hace ocho años. Desde entonces, lo hago todos los días.

Very nice video! Thanks for sharing this...greetings from Brazil.

Tatyana thanks for the lesson. I will incorporate this into my exercise routine. One problem I notice is - I tend to get a good sound early but buzz later as if I am lifting too early. Have you run into this problem with any students. Do you have any exercises routines to correct this problem. I really appreciate your teaching and I love the black board. It’s old school but it really works for me. Best wishes Ian

Thanks Tatyana for all this lessons . I'm starting to implement your knowledge.

Thanks for useful tips! I`m very greatful for your way of offering these tips. Many thanks! //Tobias

Hello Tatyana, I am big fan of your Series Ask Tatyana and I always wait for next video and topic. This topic is very much related to me, I used to apply too much pressure on string especially when playing barre chords and complecated chord shapes. One thing really hepled me in this case is playing very slow, understanding the exact string which is buzzing and redistributing pressure looking at hand shape and position

Gracias por compartir tus conocimientos, saludos.

Thank you so much! I am a real novice, and this is my biggest obstacle. I do hand and forearm exercises daily, but playing with the left hand kills me within a few minutes. I will get on this pronto. BTW: I particularly love your Chopin playing. Stunning!!

Thank you for your valuable information. To train my muscles economically, I use weaker strings (of course have lower sound quality) and play for practice very soft, nearly silent and consciously every tone (not automatic) 🤓😋🥰.

There's always something new to learn. Thank you.

You aré excelent! tanks for this class, am going tu learn so much whit you

So helpful video. Thank you so much.

Too much pressure - I was eating through my lower strings quickly 😁 No, as a intermediate student - I have found a combination of experimenting with pressure helped but more important for me was having my left arm relaxed and in a good placement and my left hand aligned well through the different positions of the fret board. Still a work in progress but as a musician of many years, that is not surprising and my journey with classical guitar has been great so far also helping me understand and grow with my musical knowledge both technically and being exposed to composers from other parts of the world I had not much exposure to. Also, slow down ones technical exercises and be precise over the metronome - helps.

Thank you!

È la prima delle tue videolezioni che guardo ed è stata semplice quanto utile. Il tuo modo delizioso di suonare la chitarra non poteva che essere rispecchiato anche qui. Grazie!! 🇮🇹

Y los ligados también hay que presionar lo justo???

Good lesson! I am able to play faster with less effort now.

first time i heard this concept. thanks so much.

Не знаю на каком языке писать, выбрал этот. Субтитры можно включить, внизу фильма есть белый прямоугольник. Потом за три точки - "открыть транскрипцию" и перевести, например, на русский язык. Удачи.

I can't wait!!!

So beautiful

good teaching

Thanks 😊

Thank you 💖

Thank you Tatyana

Thank you 😊

Можно на РУССКОМ ЯЗЫКЕ?🙏

A nice guitar with a right strings height helps to solve this problem too 😉