Technical Tip #2: The Distal Joint

I find myself focusing a lot lately on a real flaw in many people's techniques. It has to do with the left hand distal joint. This is the joint closest to the fingertip. It often must BEND, in order to do what is required. And many students do NOT bend it as they should. This is especially true of the 1st finger, and the 4th finger.



A lot of times, this joint does not want to bend, but must be made to when doing finger drills, scales, and other exercises. It is very important, for instance, to make sure this joint is bent on the first finger while doing a C chord.



For those using the Foundation Exercises in "The Principles", be warned about this: the exercises involving the left hand, (All Aboard, The Crutch with Heavy and Floating Arm) should all have the distal joints BENT, directing the force and weight of the arm down to the string, thereby enabling you to play with minimum effort. Make sure you LOOK AT THE PICTURES AND COMPARE IT TO YOUR OWN FINGERS!



I am trying to shout at you, because most of the time, when I check my own private students, they are missing this in their at-home practice, and the only way I can get them to pay attention to it is to SCREAM!



(Excuse me while I take a deep breath and calm down.)



So start examining your distal joints as you play and practice. If you work with it, it will become more and more flexible, and will be another move forward in your ability as a guitarist.