left and right hand

David Rock · #1 08-19-2018, 07:30 PM

Hello all!

I recently read (I believe on this forum) the concept of the 'left hand is our knowledge and the right hand is our personality'. I have thought deeply about this. It might be true...it depends.

In some ways it explains some things...maybe the 'chaos' that flows through the right hand of mine explains a lot...maybe...left brain/right brain?

That thought is reference to other posts of mine that received mixed reviews regarding the 'structure' or 'listenability' of my songs...That is to say that although I may have a good sense of timing, my rhythm might be lacking...There is that clave thing...Ugh!

Here is a song that I do not know creates a 'pulse'. I have a better sense of that concept...maybe it does.

I would like to believe I play from the heart, which does not necessarily mean it is in tune to The Universe. After the fact (recordings) I hear, maybe the need for a little less chaos.

Regards All,
david

DukeX · #2 08-19-2018, 07:45 PM

David, I cannot comment on your technical/musical dilemma. Also, I have not heard your other pieces. What I can say is that I enjoyed this piece. I think it is well conceived and well executed.

Denny B · #3 08-19-2018, 07:48 PM

I'm still working on developing that "sporting right hand" that Rev. Gary Davis spoke of...

SunnyDee · #4 08-20-2018, 06:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Rock

Hello all!

I recently read (I believe on this forum) the concept of the 'left hand is our knowledge and the right hand is our personality'. I have thought deeply about this. It might be true...it depends.

The "fretting" hand is knowledge, the "picking" hand is personality, maybe?

Nice piece. Reminds me of some of the "new music" I was hearing from music professors in New England some years ago. I'd say you're just marching to a different beat.

rick-slo · #5 08-20-2018, 07:54 AM

Right and left hand work hand in hand for expression. Both hands to various degrees control tone, volume, note durations.

Control note durations rather than most of the time just letting notes ring out and die on their own - that keeps things cleaner, clearer, and more rhythmical. Control the volume of each note - usually the melody predominates. If you are composing something then structure it out into a coordinated whole.

Here is and example of something I just added to youtube. You may or my not like the style but it is a good example of what I posted above.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2X7lwF9FSM

Big Band Guitar · #6 08-20-2018, 08:06 AM

I have observed, like all of you, many many guitar players.

Most seem to have no idea what their picking/strumming hand is doing or is trying to fill in any tiny spaces with too much.

The players that appeal to me use the less is more approach.

Leave some space to let the words or melody sink in.

Granted some songs need that background rattle and wouldn't be right without it. But most don't.

Brent Hahn · #7 08-20-2018, 08:17 AM

Seems to me that with most people, until they become of aware of the concept, their fretting hand is almost always late. Just how late is a factor in the person's tone and personality. Duane Allman = fairly late. Dicky Betts = late, but less so. Chet Atkins = not late.

jseth · #8 08-20-2018, 03:03 PM

I believe that the first time I heard about the "two hands" thing, it went like this:

Your left hand shows what you know... your right hand shows who you are...

Brent Hahn · #9 08-20-2018, 03:19 PM

I'm glad they don't break it down into specific fingers.

KDepew · #10 08-21-2018, 05:45 AM

I like your work here.
One of my earliest teachers told me "The left hand is what you know, the right hand is who you are...."

David Rock · #11 08-21-2018, 07:35 AM

Thanks for the response... It seems many have heard this saying with different verbiage, but similar results.

Derek, I listened to your post (and some others too). Your playing is impeccable! This latest post is very 'tight' and in the process very rhythmic.

As you allude to our playing styles are worlds apart. I do not play a 'driving bass line (usually). It doesn't 'fit' my style. I appreciate that for what it is though. I guess my latest reboot of songs was a more concerted effort to get my 'self 1' out of the way and connect to that pulse I have seen discussed in this section before. I think I have come a long way working towards that pulse concept.

I still am working on it...that is the point.

Thanks to all for the comments on 'Have You Seen Today?'. I like the way it turned out. I wrote it 9/11/01. I guess there ought to be a little chaos in there. There is a definitive break from meter at 1:48, the rest is pretty spot on I think.

Here is another song called 'Someday'. Again, the bass line is not driving, but I think there is a pulse that leads the song. I'm still working at having fun!

Be well,
D

rick-slo · #12 08-21-2018, 08:10 AM

David, the second tune sounds more under control (everything not running together - though there is a place for that in some tunes).
Decide what melody lines you want and what hooks and motifs you can incorporate and you're good to go.

jaymarsch · #13 08-21-2018, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brent Hahn

I'm glad they don't break it down into specific fingers.

LOL! No kidding.

Best,
Jayne

rick-slo · #14 08-21-2018, 08:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaymarsch

LOL! No kidding.

Best,
Jayne

Well, now that you mention it...

KevWind · #15 08-21-2018, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Rock

Thanks for the response... It seems many have heard this saying with different verbiage, but similar results.

Derek, I listened to your post (and some others too). Your playing is impeccable! This latest post is very 'tight' and in the process very rhythmic.

As you allude to our playing styles are worlds apart. I do not play a 'driving bass line (usually). It doesn't 'fit' my style. I appreciate that for what it is though. I guess my latest reboot of songs was a more concerted effort to get my 'self 1' out of the way and connect to that pulse I have seen discussed in this section before. I think I have come a long way working towards that pulse concept.

I still am working on it...that is the point.

Thanks to all for the comments on 'Have You Seen Today?'. I like the way it turned out. I wrote it 9/11/01. I guess there ought to be a little chaos in there. There is a definitive break from meter at 1:48, the rest is pretty spot on I think.

Here is another song called 'Someday'. Again, the bass line is not driving, but I think there is a pulse that leads the song. I'm still working at having fun!

Be well,
D

Unfortunately language can be such an imprecise means of communicating especially musical ideas. So in terms of this and your OP

Let me offer for your consideration these video's which IMO relates to what I perceive your style could be .

I would suggest listening to as much by Gabor Szabo as you can find

And this short demo by Chick Corea bears some relationship as well