Thumb independence question

[Dave W.]

In the past I have played a fair bit of alternating bass pieces like Rev. Gary Davis (boom-chick) style. I got away from learning any new pieces for a good number of years, but now want to tackle some again. I can still play what I already know, but I can't honestly say that I can just set my thumb going automatically on a bass pattern, then learn the melody part. I have tried learning the melody first, then adding the bass, but it is still a difficult task. I am wondering if anyone has a particular method or practice regimen that helps to smooth things out. I have never seen any lesson material that offers any more advice than "just get a bass pattern going and do it until it becomes automatic", but maybe thats all you can do. Any ideas? Thanks,

 

Dave

[kwakatak]

Check out this lesson from Paul Asbell at APM:

http://www.acousticplayermagazine.com/apm001/lessons001/paulasbell1_001.html

[Dave W.]

Kwak,

Thanks for the link, I will give it a good look after work.

Anyone else??

Thanks,

Dave

[Glupak]

The Art of Contemporary Fingerpicking and its follow-up, The Art of Solo Fingerpicking are two excellent books. They even come with cds so you can hear what things should sound like. I highly recommend both.

[Dave W.]

Glu,

Thanks, I will look into those also.

Dave

[bjorn-fjord]

Beginning Fingerstyle Blues Guitar really got my off on the right foot. Stefan Grossman has some great instructional stuff out there too.