NS Tech #1 Let's create a simple exercise with dual purpose
Notice where I'm "plucking/pulling" the string. Of
course you can pluck it anywhere and create wonderfully different
tones and characteristics but we'll get to that later (remind me
... ). For now we'll concentrate our effort there because the
"string tension" is heavier there. Pull the string and
you'll feel that you can "dig in" more on the strings in
that area than you can pulling up further ... away from the bridge.
As the tension decreases and you don't "ease up on your
plucking" you'll get a "Clacking" sound with every
note. Most of the time quite an undesirable sound BUT I have found
some great uses for it which "Hey, I'll talk about
later" .... (ohhhhh we're talkin' a book with more than one
chapter NOW!").
Your lowest open string is a "B" ... that said, let's play
a "D" instead. So you count up 3 frets on that string
and BOOM you're there ... there should even be a "dot"
there just because .... I don't know .... it's a handy reference
though. So we'll use our "first finger" (between digit 2
and thumb) and place it on the "D" fret. Pull the string
with your right hand first finger with enough gusto to produce a
nice tone ... "no clack." Go ahead ... do it again ...
find
the "Uh Oh ... to much" mark and then the "Ah..just
right" spot. Think "The Three Bears" story ... "This notes too big, this notes to
little ... Ah, this
note's just right ... " then get out of the house before the
bears come home and have you arrested for breaking and entering
...
NOW! and only now .... "Tap" (did you say tap?) yes I
did ... Tap the "D" note. Notice your right hand wonders
"Well, what do I do?" We'll get to that in a minute. For
now, with your left hand ... first finger ... tap lightly and
"hold" out the note. Let it ring ... enjoy the tone ...
become the tone ... grab a snack with your right hand and eat
while you enjoy the beautiful tone ... (see, told ya I'd get to that
hand). Now, hit it a little harder and hold. Notice how you can
control the dynamics of volume and tone. Very important to:
Notice tone and volume differences while plucking and or
tapping
Being able to control them at will.
(When I was in the army they use to say "Fire at Will" I
stood for the longest time shouting "Which One of you is
WILL?") Okay, so I never was in the army ... I could of been
... I just wasn't.)
Now comes the Exercise. "Bend over and touch your toes."
Notice how that hurts your legs? Well, stop it! This next exercise
is much easier.
"Pluck" the "open 'B'" string ...
nice
and easy ....
"Tap" the first fret "C"
note.---Compare volumes ... make them about the same.---
"Pluck" the "C" note
"Tap" the "C" note.
---Compare volumes ... make them about the same.---
"Pluck the "C#" note (next fret up from
where you were)
"Tap" the "C#" note.---Compare volumes ... make them about the same. ---and also begin to
notice tone changes ... keep "tap" and "Pluck"
close in tone and volume.
"Pluck" the "D" note (remember the
dot...ohhhh it's handy)
"Tap" the "D" note
(reach for the sandwich with free hand)
Are ya beginning to see an exercise pattern here? Continue up to
"Tap 'n Pluck Exercise" note "E" ... Then (yes,
and only then) go to the next open string. On the "Open
"E" string ... and when you get to # 8, you may
want to reach for a 'beverage' rather than the sandwich ... that of
course is optional.
Go through all eight strings this way ... I recommend getting
comfortable plucking those 4 thin high strings ... we will be workin'
'em big time. Sometimes the first fret strings don't sound out as
loud when "tapped." You may want to "raise"
the height on that string a quarter turn (using the screw-under
that string-closest to the left end of the neck (opposite of
bridge end) AND as small a turn as you can to obtain the desired
sound ... low action is good action). "Unlike 'dating' where
any action is good action ... this just requires 'low' action."
an
authorized NS/Stick™ site
Notice where I'm "plucking/pulling" the string. Of
course you can pluck it anywhere and create wonderfully different
tones and characteristics but we'll get to that later (remind me
... ). For now we'll concentrate our effort there because the
"string tension" is heavier there. Pull the string and
you'll feel that you can "dig in" more on the strings in
that area than you can pulling up further ... away from the bridge.
As the tension decreases and you don't "ease up on your
plucking" you'll get a "Clacking" sound with every
note. Most of the time quite an undesirable sound BUT I have found
some great uses for it which "Hey, I'll talk about
later" .... (ohhhhh we're talkin' a book with more than one
chapter NOW!").
Your lowest open string is a "B" ... that said, let's play
a "D" instead. So you count up 3 frets on that string
and BOOM you're there ... there should even be a "dot"
there just because .... I don't know .... it's a handy reference
though. So we'll use our "first finger" (between digit 2
and thumb) and place it on the "D" fret. Pull the string
with your right hand first finger with enough gusto to produce a
nice tone ... "no clack." Go ahead ... do it again ...
find
the "Uh Oh ... to much" mark and then the "Ah..just
right" spot. Think "The Three Bears" story ... "This notes too big, this notes to
little ... Ah, this
note's just right ... " then get out of the house before the
bears come home and have you arrested for breaking and entering
...
"low
action"
"any
action"