Analyzing the Movements of the Technique of David Russell

[@naispuma21]

First video I’ve seen on your channel, really enjoyed it. Interesting analysis and perspectives. Had the pleasure of hearing Russell play years ago and met him briefly after the concert. I’ve heard many of the modern virtuoso players, and they were all amazing, but David Russell’s concert for me was the greatest I’ve heard. The power and golden sound he produces is mesmerizing. Not to mention the rhythmic accuracy and balance in every voice in the texture. He is the type of artist where all the limitations of the instrument seem to disappear and all you hear is glorious sound. His Bach interpretations in my opinion are the gold standard… but so are his Latin American pieces, and pretty much anything he plays he brings out the essence. When you described in your analysis how he uses techniques to serve the piece, sometimes following standard rules of technique and sometimes breaking them, it makes perfect sense with what seems to be his overall approach. He is an artist who truly serves the music and not his ego… Anyway, awesome work and keep it up! Look forward to seeing more on your channel.

[@Larry30102]

Thanks! Just showing my appreciating for all your work. Great job!

[@CharlesAlexanderAllred]

I really appreciate that Larry! Another technique analysis video is currently in the works...

[@Remi-B-Goode]

wow very interesting, great analysis, thank you!

[@tritone3284]

Wooow very good video! Thanks!

[@peterblackofficial]

These videos are great. Excellent observations that help us to learn for the masters of this art. Thanks!

[@dodoguitar2415]

I like the idea of practicing with intention and great motivation

[@brandonyip4570]

The movement in releasing and “jumping” the left hand to the next position is a release of tension. I think Bill Kanengiser calls it a micro- relaxation.

[@Lutemann]

Aaron Shearer taught the flexed P tip as part of his technique. Notice that Russell never plays a rest stroke with P because he doesn't have to. Engaging the P tip creates a very powerful stroke. I believe that Shearer got this from harp technique.

[@telmymacallister4420]

Yes, he is!!

[@BenjaminTint]

Your videos are incredibly underrated. This is top notch work. Very well done, thank you for contributing to the community. You should do one on Oscar!

[@Larry30102]

Second comment: After watching your great analysys of DR, I just started working on mimicking the way he uses his thumb. I'm mostly self taught 68yr classical player. In the old days and then carried over today was this straight thumb. Back in the day without internet, and very few video resources, I just thought the straight thumb was the way to do it. I thought folks like David, Andrew York and others that used a flexible thumb like they do was kind of dorky. Boy was I wrong. The tone and volume control while using the thumb like they do is a HUGE improvement. I just wanted to send another shout out of thanks!! Even old guys can learn new stuff!😁

[@CharlesAlexanderAllred]

Hey that’s awesome Larry! I’m so glad the video has led you to some benefits. Most people play with a straight thumb, but every once in awhile I see someone whose thumb works really well with the tip joint technique. Sounds like you’re one of those unique people. I’m 37, but didn’t start learning classical guitar until my mid 20’s. Since then it pretty much took over my life!

[@Adrian-v7y8e]

When I was first learning, much was made of LH preparation. I’ve since come to question this orthodoxy, in part through watching David Russell. The stability and accuracy of his LH-and therefore the characteristic legato of his sound-arises, I think, from minimising gestures of preparation. Instead, he shifts lightly and precisely at the very last moment. The results speak for themselves.

[@CharlesAlexanderAllred]

Very interesting. I heard Russell say in a masterclass that he wished his left hand was as good as John Williams, but after studying them both I think Russell actually has the more disciplined left hand, although we’re pretty much splitting hairs at that point.

[@Adrian-v7y8e]

The elasticity of JW’s left hand remains one of the wonders of the world, but yes, I agree. I think it was Jason Vieaux who said that no one looks more comfortable, more perfectly aligned with the guitar, than David Russell.

[@CharlesAlexanderAllred]

Makes sense to me. And yes, John Williams must have some kind of rubber in his genetic makeup :)

[@TheJoeScarafoneChannel]

Great series. Thank you

[@CharlesAlexanderAllred]

Glad you’re enjoying it!

[@Larry30102]

This is really a super video. Thanks so much for your analysis. With the 'slapped' string, I see Matt Palmer doing it too, with at least his 'i' finger. He has a 'frest' stoke, if I'm spelling it right...a mix between a free and rest stroke. I wonder if Russell sometimes plants with his 'a' finger while bringing in slap technique on the "m" and 'I' fingers. Guess it depends on the situation.

[@CharlesAlexanderAllred]

Hey thanks Larry! I remember reading about Matt Palmer’s “frest” stroke in his book. It’s so interesting how different people’s approaches to plucking the strings can be. I’m planning on doing more of these analysis videos; maybe I’ll get around to Palmer at some point. Thanks for watching!

[@Lutemann]

I'm hate to point this out , but Russell's 4th finger constantly shoots out two to three inches when not in use. The same is true to a lesser extent with his other fingers. This is because there is freedom in large movements and one should only restrict motion when needed, and of course Russell does this.

[@ronaldpuddu5325]

Charles these are high value videos, how about doing Yamandu Costa. thank you for you incredible effort. rp

[@amigosXcorrespondenc]

Very nice video, you're doing what I tend to do often just by myself, watch David's videos and try to analyse his technique 😁. I'm a huge fan of David Russell's technique too. Did you read his book about technique? Its quite nice and gives a lot of cool ideas. Also, he did in facebook a workshop about sound production and it was amazing, I'm not sure if you see it because he explains why he bends the thumb there, and actually that explanation helped me a lot. Its still there for watching. Greetings from Argentina 🙋🏻‍♂️

[@CharlesAlexanderAllred]

Thanks! I learned a lot from making this video. I didn’t know he has a technique book but I’d certainly like to read it. Also I would love to hear him talk about his thumb; I’ve always been fascinated with how he uses it.

[@Larry30102]

I didn't know there was a book. Many thanks. Just ordered it!

[@scoverdarhajbad9982]

You know how to reduce space between i and m fingers and make them go same direction during arpeggio like David Russel Im wondering if you help me Thanks in advance

[@CharlesAlexanderAllred]

Practice the movement you want to learn very slowly. You can also practice preparing the finger by having it touch the string before it starts the plucking motion

[@williamash6776]

Try keeping a piece of matchbook between i and m as you practice slowly. This will eventually retrain your fingers to stay together

[@dreslispelschberg2416]

Russell: breathes. This guy: let's analyse it.

[@abibjairzoroghlian]

I would like to see a video on Alirio Diaz technique. Would be interesting 👍🏻 Great content.

[@CharlesAlexanderAllred]

I certainly intend to cover Maestro Diaz in the future!

[@abibjairzoroghlian]

@@CharlesAlexanderAllred Awesome 👏🏻

[@jrsobrado]

Nice observation!

[@CharlesAlexanderAllred]

Thanks!

[@vayasaberlo8]

Would love you to do the same for Marcin Dylla🎉🎉

[@CharlesAlexanderAllred]

I certainly will! Currently working on Pepe

[@ChrisM541]

While John Williams is, of course, a legend, I do much prefer David Russell's playing. It's clear that he has at least an equal (if not greater) technical ability. His dynamics and emotion/soul conveyed far outstrip JW's ability - and that, as always, is what connects with the listener most.

[@stephenoliver2923]

Enjoying the video but the constant, metronomic ticking in the background at the beginning?

[@Lutemann]

The finger must be motion when it hits the strings in general playing situations. For example, no good player will stop his finger to plant it in a rapid i and m alternation. If you stop a finger it will lose its power and speed.

[@DuendeHr]

wow, beautiful video, thank you! I think there are lot's of bad youtube classical guitar instructors (I won't name them) who are not professionals and are preaching the textbook advice for right hand: "The finger movement and power must come from the large finger joint, no the tip or the middle." But this one example is so false, stupid and dangerous because no one has the same finger anatomy and same type of nails. My fingers have veeery flexible tip joints and when I concentrate finger movement from the large joint my tip joints starts to flex too much and hitting too much of the flesh instead of nails. I even developed a hand tremor possibly because of this, because I was using the wrong muscle groups. I had a teacher from the academy that once told me that he knew a guitarist who plays from tip tip joints, It's all about the sound in the end. And of course, the finger direction must be to the root of your palm, you don't want do pull the strings away like a beginner crab like movement. Now I concentrate my movements whatever feels right for the certain passage, it's mostly from the tip joint but in certain situation I just collapse it like in fast scales apoyando etc. And probably because of my flexible fingers I have to focus on the tip joints for more accuracy most of the time.

[@CharlesAlexanderAllred]

Awesome! It’s amazing how different people’s anatomy and how they move is. Glad you’ve found what works for you. Dealing with “one size fits all” advice is something most of us have to figure out at some point I think. I was once asked in a job interview how I would teach a student free stroke. My response was that, without seeing that person and how their hands are in front of me, I would have no idea.

[@DuendeHr]

@@CharlesAlexanderAllred thank you for your response! I was already playing for like 10-15 years and having gigs then few bad teachers completely destroyed my technique and confidence. Luckily I stopped following them and now I play professionaly and teach. I wish you good luck with your channel, those analysis videos are really good and fulfilling for us guitarists. Greetings from Croatia.

[@CharlesAlexanderAllred]

Glad you’ve made you way, and thank you for the encouragement. Cheers from the USA!

[@Lutemann]

The reason Russell seems to 'smack' the strings is he does not use planting technique. Planting is useful for beginners when learning accuracy, but it should not be used as a basis for general playing.

[@williamash6776]

I'm from the opposite persuasion. There are two types of people in the world, . . .

[@gilbertwalker3222]

Everyone uses sequential planting to some degree, he’s still activating the string flesh first in his attack.

[@DoanLy-y7s]

Sorry, yourself talked only,