Lute Festival 2006 Classes
Pat O’Brien:  Bring Your Technical and Musical Problems

Pat opened the class up for discussion of any and all problems
participants wished to bring up. He drew on his extensive
reading on physiology and long history of working with
misuse or overuse injuries in musicians to respond to them.

How should the left hand be positioned?  “The left arm
should be plumb, as closely as possible. The wrist should
be straight, not flexed either inward or outward.”

“If the little finger is positioned correctly,
the others will fall naturally into place.”

What is the correct motion for plucking the strings with the
right hand?  “Pull the finger toward the heel of the hand, flexing
it only at the second joint and the one closest to the palm.
Don't hook inward with the end.”

“Practice your plucking on the double courses. There is
almost no audible penalty for poor plucking technique
on a single chanterelle.”

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Last updated 16 July AD 2006 - DFH