Rest stroke on p

[Bobd]

I've worked thru the Shearer vol. 1 using mostly free stroke. I went back to review the rest stroke and while I find the rest stroke a little more difficult with ima, I find it VERY difficult on p when simultaneously using free stroke with either i m a. For example, playing G and E at the same time using free stroke i on E and rest stroke p on G. Really hard. Is rest stroke p that important? Should I put a lot of time into this till I get it down?

[WillBee]

I would say it is worth it...in my own personal experience, i used to exclusively use free strokes with my 'p'. for a while this was okay, eventually i started using rest stroke on isolated 'p' (hard for me) and finally moving on to rest stoke 'p' simulataneouly while plucking other strings...really really hard for me as well.

it was definately worth it, because it forced me to be very accurate with my 'p' (and my RH position in general). this absolutely translated to overall better control and speed when playing multivoiced passages (even when i don't use rest stroke)

so i would say, take it slow, it's a stroke that is not natural to many people, but if you deligently work at it, you will see real results within weeks

[Bobd]

Well rest stroke P with free stroke ima is getting easier but now I have free stroke P with rest stroke ima that is also rather difficult. Man, it's so much easier to do everything free stroke.

[Libre]

In time, you should be able to play a rest stroke with ANY finger, and simultaneously play free strokes with the other fingers. If you think it's hard to play a rest p and free strokes with ima, try a rest stroke with m while playing free strokes with i and a - try it in an arpeggio pattern to bring out a melody.

It's very important, and will take a lot of time to get it, but yes, work on it and don't get discouraged. The p finger rest is very important when the melody line is in the bass (see Sor study ... I think #8 ... I think in Dm ...who remembers these things). You don't have to play EVERY bass note with a rest stroke - but to really accent one, you can.

This technique is one of the many tools of expression. It is not strictly needed to play a piece, but it is, if you want to learn to play expressively.

Think of having to recite a monologue or a soliloquy. Or even to just tell a joke or a story. Your voice rises and falls, emphasizes some words and individual syllables. This makes sense of the phrasing of what you are saying. Playing a guitar piece is the same thing, in that respect.

[WillBee]

The p finger rest is very important when the melody line is in the bass .

my favorite example is the trio section of barrios' val # 4

[Bobd]

So I'm at a point in the Shearer Classic Guitar Tech. Vol. 1 where you need to combine the different strokes with all the fingers and thumb and it's really fun. You can actually hear a difference from playing all free stroke. It's neat.

[flamencofreak]

I agree. It's important to note also that rest stroke and free stroke result in distinctly different sound qualities (you mentioned "tools of expression"). A well developed thumb can play rest stroke very rapidly for some stunning scale passages (i, m as well), as in flamenco playing. This can be very exciting in guitar music.

In time, you should be able to play a rest stroke with ANY finger, and simultaneously play free strokes with the other fingers. If you think it's hard to play a rest p and free strokes with ima, try a rest stroke with m while playing free strokes with i and a - try it in an arpeggio pattern to bring out a melody.

It's very important, and will take a lot of time to get it, but yes, work on it and don't get discouraged. The p finger rest is very important when the melody line is in the bass (see Sor study ... I think #8 ... I think in Dm ...who remembers these things). You don't have to play EVERY bass note with a rest stroke - but to really accent one, you can.

This technique is one of the many tools of expression. It is not strictly needed to play a piece, but it is, if you want to learn to play expressively.

Think of having to recite a monologue or a soliloquy. Or even to just tell a joke or a story. Your voice rises and falls, emphasizes some words and individual syllables. This makes sense of the phrasing of what you are saying. Playing a guitar piece is the same thing, in that respect.