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Stretch or change position?


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  • Members
Posted

I have been practicing the CAGED system. On some forms (eg D form) it seems you can use stretches or position changes to get the job done. For the last year or so I have been using the stretch forms but wonder if I should change tack and employ position changes.

 

Which do you think I should stick to? I have small hands and have been struggling with the stretches. Although when converted to pentatonic scales a lot of the stretches dissapear and the position change method might slow down speed when I get better.

 

I've been playing on and off for 30 years but only got serious about theory and discipline in the last few years.

  • Moderators
Posted

I've always played it as the second (finger stretch) version - that's how the Berklee method teaches (lol although they would never call it the "D" shape). I guess I really did "drink the Kool-Aid" since I still avoid positional shifts in favor of finger stretches. I'd say learn it both ways and play whichever version best fits your style.

cheers,

  • Members
Posted

For me it depends. For example, I like to slide into the 3rd on the d string with my ring finger and sit "out of position" sometimes, but this really moves you into the "C" shape in caged. I'll also do stretches when needed. Again I think (as has been stated over and over on this site) but use the shapes as guides, but learn the notes so that you can freely move from one shape to another as needed.

  • Members
Posted

...Again I think (as has been stated over and over on this site) but use the shapes as guides, but learn the notes so that you can freely move from one shape to another as needed.

 

 

Yes, I am finding I am getting forms running into each other all over the place. The more I get to know the forms the more I start to just know where the notes are and my own forms seem to develop. My little fingers just don't like those stretches. I can do them but there is not much control or strength in them.

  • Moderators
Posted

Is the Berklee method the main competitor in terms of scale forms that people use?

 

 

For the most part you'll hear people talk about either the CAGED forms, the Positional (or Berklee / Leavitt) forms or the 3nps forms. The Segovia forms are common among classical players.

 

Here's a link to an attachment that illustrates the three most common scale fingering systems.

 

http://acapella.harmony-central.com/showpost.php?p=39114446&postcount=2

 

And an explanation of of the kind of stuff the chart covers.

 

http://acapella.harmony-central.com/showpost.php?p=39168677&postcount=36

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