Analyzing the Movements of John William's Technique

[@Skinny_Karlos]

When first learning the technique (especially the right hand) of the classical guitar - half a century ago, I would watch videos (yes, back in those old days, many of you might have to ask what is a VHS video) and, in front of a mirror, model my right hand on William's right hand. Knuckles in line with the strings, arched wrist, no tension anywhere, fingers plucking under the hand, no outward motion of the digits, etc. I am so glad that I did that work, ALL THAT WORK, as now, and for many years since doing the work, even when studying at conservatorium level, I had a good, arguably great, right hand that would give me the volume, colour, tone etc that I wanted when I wanted. It took many years, but from that work, my hand is just in the same position as JW and I can utilise the guitar better for that early work. No flexed-out, arched and ugly, pinky, it is relaxed and 'just there'. I thank my first teacher for this as it was he who was a Williamsophile and he turned me the same way and got me practising in front of the mirror as described. It helps so much when playing hard and fast, slow and gentle - whatever. To all you early onset players/students I would say do the work, it pays dividends later on and gives you a great asset that not all guitarists have. I pass the same lessons on to my students today and some take to it like the proverbial duck to water, some resist. No prizes will be given to the guessing of the ones who will benefit from this work. - Mark Australia.

[@Joe_Robinson]

Thanks for creating this video Charles! Fascinating analysis.

[@CharlesAlexanderAllred]

You’re welcome Joe! :)

[@shaunkennedy3201]

Fascinating analysis of JW's technique - thanks for posting!

[@brett_gomez]

Incredible work making this video. Thank you!

[@mx7079]

Thank you a lot for your time and effort to make these videos.

[@CharlesAlexanderAllred]

You’re welcome! Thanks for watching!

[@danielmarchan1036]

Thank you Maestro, it's a great idea.

[@ChrisM541]

JW: effortless perfection....his own, unique perfection.

[@onceuponascale]

Great pointers. Thank you.

[@CharlesAlexanderAllred]

You’re welcome! Thanks for watching!

[@cagatayguitar]

14:58 pinky fingers moves like that because the arpeggio with ma ma ma is little bit harder than the fastest im im im or mi mi. Soo his right hand on full boost and thay pinky finger does it. He is also using his pinky finger for stopping unneccesarly long tune from the last note.

[@ockeghem1495]

Left hand thumb position: Holding the fretting hand thumb like JW does allows him to keep a nice straight wrist, avoiding tension and possible carpal tunnel issues. I'm thinking his plucking hand finger four lifting may be a function of the amount of tension/strength needed to play rest stroke scales with i and m. I tried this out and it seems to take more tension to hold it not extended. And if I try to keep it curved the a finger tends to curl in also, which is definitely not desired. Another famous player who really held the RH pinky out was Carlos Barbosa-Lima. It looks so tense, yet his music doesn't reflect that, and he played for a long career, like Williams who is still going.

[@10sassafras]

I think a useful thing to remember with JW’s right hand is that it hangs in a manner similar to Segovia, a teacher of his and an influence on Len Williams, John’s earliest teacher. The fingers work and look a little different to today’s common RH hand position, which is a more like a handshake.

[@GitaarschoolElger]

This is so cool! Thanks a lot

[@CharlesAlexanderAllred]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@PuddLane3]

Beautiful analysis. Is the background music Claudio Quartarone?

[@CharlesAlexanderAllred]

Thanks! No it’s originally composed.

[@PuddLane3]

@@CharlesAlexanderAllred beautiful!

[@CharlesAlexanderAllred]

Thanks!!

[@Tonysmithmusic]

in terms of technique, noone could match him, he made everything look easy and relaxed, he never looked like it was an effort.

[@CharlesAlexanderAllred]

Agreed, not only that but his effortless technique produced monster tone

[@cagatayguitar]

I would love to see your analysis for his agustin barrios mangore performance. Edit : pls analysis the cordoba from John williams

[@ceticobr]

John Williams playing Cordoba is perfection.

[@ebrahimalfardan8823]

Actually thumb before the first finger is the most relaxed position for the palm of the hand. The thumb should relax on its side. Try it and your pinky will thank you.

[@xpaddy01]

“John Williams is more god then man.” I like you already! ;) Also, I am not a pure classical guitarist, but John’s hand placements and overall posterior is what I aspire to whenever I have my classical in my hands.

[@PetriSainio]

This would certainly be an interesting video, but unfortunately the use of background music makes this unlistenable. I can't concentrate on what you're talking about when the background music disturbs my concentration. More generally, I wonder why there has to be music in the background of the speech, who needs that? Music should always be the main thing, no background, but I understand that in today's world this is too much required.

[@CharlesAlexanderAllred]

I need the music in the background, that’s why it’s there. I apologize for disturbing your concentration so.

[@bzeliotis]

I agree the background music is irrelevant and very distracting. I had to switch off the volume and switch on subtitles!

[@CharlesAlexanderAllred]

Good for you. Complain all you want; the video has already been made and it has background music.

[@manfridajerome4668]

@@CharlesAlexanderAllred can you tell me the name of the music in the background please? :)

[@CharlesAlexanderAllred]

I don’t remember, but I remember that I wrote it

[@felixrodriguezguitar2686]

John Williams's thumbs seem to be disproportionately long compared to the rest of his hands. For sure some things that he does will not work for others just like Segovia's thumb was unique.

[@31041955]

this is a very poor analysis of JW's technique , everything u mentioned is irrelevant, u missed the most important thing , his right hand position, his fingers are at right angles relative to the strings, it's an effortless power chop, this position will give u your voice or fingerprint sound, most players today have a powerless effort which does not give u a voice, and because of this, the guitar has been marginalized, even this video u have provided is just the making the matter worse.

[@CharlesAlexanderAllred]

Lol!!! :)

[@MethenySco]

You’re right. Ideal right hand technique uses a bent wrist, not the modern straight wrist- better tone, more power, better accuracy, etc….Right angle attack is essential…