Level 3 Bending Causes Difficulties with Tremolo
Tue, 02/25/2025 - 16:58
David, I feel pretty good about my progress with bending (working on Level 3) but I feel like my tremolo is suffering when I work on Feeling for the Blues. Chorus 1 still seems challenging although I've worked up to Chorus 5. A more general question is am I doing something wrong if I have good days and bad days. Sometimes it feels like I take 2 steps forward and 1 or 2 steps back. Is that just normal or is there a different approach or mindset I should have about practicing?
Hello Jerry.
I'm glad to hear that you're progressing along well.
Most likely the tension that's being introduced when you're bending is staying (not relaxing when you complete a bend), and that muscle tension (in your throat) is causing your tremolo to suffer (which is easier to produce when you're relaxed). So, focus on relaxing your throat when performing the tremolo.
In regards to good and bad days... yeah, this happens. Fortunately, the bad days get less as the number of practice days increase.
What specifically gets worse? Bending? Tremolo? Everything?