Posted 2015-01-14 6:31 PM (#504736) Subject: How do you stay clear of the epaulets ?
Joined: October 2013 Posts: 57
I feel so stupid for asking this.
I play with a open hand and pinky and 3th finger always touch the lower epaulet which "sticks out" since it's glued on the body.
Is there any other open hand players here ? How do you manage to stay clear of the epaulet ? I don't enjoy playing on my Ovation because I'm always scared that with time, it will get all worn off.
Posted 2015-01-14 11:48 PM (#504742 - in reply to #504736) Subject: Re: How do you stay clear of the epaulets ?
Joined: May 2008 Posts: 1559
Location: Indiana
Some would advise changing your style of playing to preserve your instrument. My view... play your guitar with abandon or put it behind glass and get something you care less about. Guitars will show evidence of being played. My lower epi on my Adamas has significant wear. It is what it is. Doesn't matter to me, it will be in my estate sale. It's been lovingly cared for, but it's been played. And it shows. If I could say the same for my ex, she might not be my ex.
Posted 2015-01-14 11:53 PM (#504743 - in reply to #504736) Subject: Re: How do you stay clear of the epaulets ?
Joined: April 2008 Posts: 2985
Location: Sydney, Australia
Sounds like your action with your arm is too long. This Bellamy brothers video shows the wrong (left) and right (right) way to do it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dft63gHqqKo
Secondly, it's a good idea to play with your fingers tucked in, as this allows a faster action (like when figure skaters spin faster when they bring their arms in). I try only to extend my fingers when I'm using my palm to muffle the strings.
Posted 2015-01-15 6:39 AM (#504748 - in reply to #504743) Subject: Re: How do you stay clear of the epaulets ?
Joined: April 2006 Posts: 848
Location: Munich, Germany
richard.parker - 2015-01-15 6:53 AM Sounds like your action with your arm is too long. This Bellamy brothers video shows the wrong (left) and right (right) way to do it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dft63gHqqKo ...
Seems the left one never learned it. That's why they use solid bodys today.
Posted 2015-01-17 6:38 AM (#504797 - in reply to #504736) Subject: Re: How do you stay clear of the epaulets ?
Joined: October 2013 Posts: 57
Thanks for the comments.
I don't plan on selling it (anymore) so I'm not too concerned about value. I just think it would be a shame to damage a fine hand made instrument. Especially now that they stopped making them in north america
Posted 2015-01-17 2:23 PM (#504811 - in reply to #504736) Subject: RE: How do you stay clear of the epaulets ?
Joined: December 2004 Posts: 574
Location: Denmark
EricGagne - 2015-01-14 6:31 PM
I play with a open hand ...
Assuming you mean the fretting (normally right) hand. So do I .. to some extent. I am a "wrist-twister" though. I sometimes challenge my playing technique and close the strumming hand. Mainly because I think it looks more cool. I imagine that the arm-swinger technique requires a lot of energy, and I am a lazy person. Clearly also the Bellamy Brothers were more energetic in the past.
Posted 2015-01-17 8:20 PM (#504822 - in reply to #504736) Subject: RE: How do you stay clear of the epaulets ?
Joined: October 2013 Posts: 57
Yes I mean the strumming hand. I play fingerstyle a lot and when strumming I don't use a pick, I just use my thumb and 1st finger together and I just leave my other fingers in their natural position which means they're partially closed so they keep rubbing against the epaulet.
That's how I played all my life and it's very hard to change now.
Posted 2015-01-17 8:46 PM (#504823 - in reply to #504822) Subject: RE: How do you stay clear of the epaulets ?
Joined: December 2003 Posts: 852
Location: Canada
EricGagne - 2015-01-17 7:20 PM I just use my thumb and 1st finger together and I just leave my other fingers in their natural position which means they're partially closed so they keep rubbing against the epaulet.
The large variety of reight-hand approaches is fascinating. I play with a pick but to be able to hold on to it I use the middle finger and not index finger as we're supposed to. As for strumming, I think that the subtle wrist technique may work if you play amplified. But I only play acoustic (with mid sized bowl) so to have dynamics for the pianissimo pieces I use wrist, whereas if I want fortissimo I need to use the whole arm moved out of the shoulder to giver 'er.
Posted 2015-01-17 9:02 PM (#504824 - in reply to #504823) Subject: Re: How do you stay clear of the epaulets ?
Joined: October 2013 Posts: 57
I can't play loud because I live in an apartment with paper walls so I only use a pick and amplifier when I play my Epiphone DOT with headphones. I so wish the CT factory was still opened, I'd send it in to have the epaulets inlaid.
How do you stay clear of the epaulets ?
Is Willie wrong? Old thread...
