Practice routine, small hands, tequila - Ask Tatyana

[@coryjohnson6965]

I used your advice and applied it to a song by Bach that I've been struggling with for weeks. I played each small section repeatedly until I could play it 5 times in a row perfectly. I made more progress in the last 15 minutes that I have in the last 3 days!!!

[@rphuntarchive1]

Lots of really great advice in this video. And yeah, I actually include stretching in my warm-ups. It makes everything easier.

[@TheGalant123]

Dear Tatyana,Thank you for making the "Ask Tatyana" series! I find it very helpful and motivating! I hope you get the same joy from making it, as I do from watching it!Best wishes,Lena

[@JamesMcCutcheon]

Thank you Tatyana I have the highest regard and appreciation for all you share to the world. You are one of my most favorite Classical Guitarists. I am amazed at your accomplishments.

[@Fernwald84]

Just a few additional thoughts on the issue of small hands (from someone with small hands!) 1. Going to a shorter scale guitar, typically 640 mm. is certainly worth considering but the benefit is quite small. You are only gaining 10 mm. from the standard 650 mm. scale length. However, these 10 mms. are divided (not equally, but logarithmically) among the 19 frets, so the benefit is just a small fraction of an inch for any given fret. 2. When people think of small hands for the guitar they typically think only of the length dimension on the guitar, i.e., how many frets you can stretch. However, your ability to traverse the width of the fretboard is also quite important, e.g. fretting a G maj chord, in first position, with the LH #3 finger on the low "G" for example. This leads to #3: 3. Try getting a neck a bit narrower than the standard 52 mm. width. This can have a greater effect on ease of fretting than going with a 640 mm. scale length. Just be aware that narrower necks can make clean fretting harder as the strings are closer together. 4. I agree with you that stretching is a key factor. If you watch very young players and asian women player, all of whom typically have very small hands, you will see how they can play difficult pieces requiring significant stretching. Their hands are simply ultra-flexible. 5. Having big hands, especially with very long fingers actually can actually make playing more difficult as it requires a more unnatural position of the hand itself (further away from the fretboard to allow the fingers their proper curvature).

[@WolfRanger2008]

I do not have a question. Just a word of "Thanks"...as your answer regarding how to practice is very helpful to me. I am not a beginner but still a very long was from being Advanced and I needed some suggestions on how to focus; which you answered. So Thank You.

[@aarongrubbs8311]

So glad to discover you today! You are amazing. Great Q and A, you have helped me as I am not new to guitar but very new to teaching!

[@donevans1892]

Your playing is an inspiration to me to keep practicing, I love your playing, and your interpretation of the pieces that you perform. Thank you for what you do.

[@SerhioB]

Спасибо вам Татьяна за хорошие советы и всю рубрику! 🌞

[@rossykoleva]

Your advices and lesons are verrrrrrry nice and helpful. Thank you for making this videos!!!!!!

[@alejandroaguanta-classical2901]

Totally agree, 2- 3 hours is the sweet spot for me. More than that and I see diminishing returns.

[@gonzalezvictorjulio]

Thank you for such valuable tips!! Study, study and study: that is the key to become a guitarist !

[@silviobpas]

Thank you for all your tips, Ms. Tatyana! I'm sure they'll be quite useful for me, as I also have small hands (kkkkkkk...). But, I've kept on trying it, because my passion for guitar playing is too much bigger than any frustrations I might have had all time long... Indeed, thanks for the motivation you have given for us. Greetings from Brazil!

[@vihuelamig]

It's not just the scale length that is a factor for small hands, fretboard (Nut) width also plays it's part because we have to stretch both along and across the fretboard. I've made many short scale guitars of all sizes, right from 560 mm terz guitars up to 650 mm standard. I can play a 48 mm nut width without inadvertently damping strings and my fingers aren't especially slim. I'm pretty sure there are many players with petite hands who would do better on a 630 scale with a 48 mm nut width, even less. As for practice time per day. You can also add Heifetz and Perlman to your 3 hour per day list. Neither thought it necessary to do more.

[@PeterLaman]

Small hands... yes, I still have a problem with the F# (6th string), E (5th string) and F# (4th) in the second movement of the "Sonata Romantica" by M. Ponce. And it's the only way to have these three notes together. I can stretch the muscles, but not the bones!

[@FaDiezeMineur]

Just search for "Valerie Duchateau" and you'll see what one can do with small hands.

[@rubenpena1905]

Es un ejemplo de perseverancia y disciplina, gracias por compartir sus vivencias, son muy edificantes. Saludos desde México

[@harryholleran5221]

Great Video Tatyana! Thanks for mentioning how A. Rubenstein felt about overpractice. This philosophy can be applied to so many aspects of life. Great stuff!!

[@sterlthepearl1000]

You practice 2 to 3 hours a day. No wonder your so good of a guitarist.

[@alcatrazeleochestra4146]

Thank you Tatyana for a very nice and informative video.

[@leeevans7550]

Excellent advice, thank you. The part about making a chord smaller made me feel good. I recently eliminated a fill note of a Legnani piece to make it manageable, and now I don't feel like I'm cheating.

[@Lucygeno]

helpful advices, I look forward for your warm up exercises special, thank you!!!!

[@alecbass4063]

Tatyana - I have somewhat small hands. Using a 64cm guitar instead of one that is 65cm helped. Guitar length is measured in mm or cm in the US. As for practicing too much, I attended a lecture by Michael Tilson-Thomas who said that a fellow cello student asked the great cellist, Gregor Piatigorsky, if he should practice more than 16 hours each day. Piatigorsky replied that if he has to practice 16 hours each day, then the cello probably isn't the right instrument for him.

[@armandoantoniogarduno4969]

that exercise looks fine, I will try it, thanks Tatyana!!

[@johnedwinsnyder5082]

Very useful and practical. Thank you.

[@hughgurney3022]

Myself Hugh and Vasil Andjelkovich love your guitar playing. My friend Vasil just came from his railway journey from Moscow to Vladivostok and he tells me how Russia is really beautiful.

[@billybergendahl3515]

I watched several of your videos and enjoyed them very much.

[@julianislas1856]

Thank you for this cool videos Tatyana!!!

[@knotsao]

Very pertinent and helpful suggestions. Thanks!

[@ckng6126]

The end is awesome.

[@sargijapunk]

Mark Lindsley it's not about the size but how you use it. I play 67cm Ramirez with small hands, no problems whatsoever, it's just will, practice and some intelligence involved.

[@stavivad000]

Love your work!!! Keep it up good work :)

[@ErikVanGoch]

I often quote Arthur Rubinstein myself when study hours are concerned. If i remember well he did it in an institution that demanded 8 or more hours of study a day from their students and i believe his claim was preceded by "no matter what your teacher tells you.....". Obviously he was right because as you rightfully stated REAL studying demands total involvement/focus and you can't do that more then 3-4 hours a day. I can tell first hand that 2 hours of quality time studying a day can beat hours of mindless finger moving. As far as the small hands are concerned, more often then not persons claiming to suffer small hand issues turn out to have bigger hands then i have :-). Quite often they have a hand position that highly limits their reach although that is more likely to happen with self thought (flamenco/folk/pop/classical) players as with properly schooled classical players.

[@ryanbabin5178]

Thanks for the tips Tatyana!

[@coryjohnson6965]

Very Helpful! Thank you!

[@jupiterinaries6150]

I love those words of Rubenstein... Life is filled with art and culture.

[@dphotos007]

For next time my question is how to keep your nails on your right from breaking. I use a lot of Velcro in my work as a photographer and it does damage my nails plus what is the best repair method you use. Thanks for these question updates.

[@wiz7716]

if I may ask, by the way firstly thanks for your videos ;) what would you recommend beginners* who start to play guitar - classical of course - by their own with no teacher or book ! just observing youtube videos and practicing, any course would you recommend to follow ? I mean maybe a book or a teaching youtube channel or something else ? *P.S: beginners, I mean who started since a year or so :D

[@Pickinbuddy]

Very good advice....thank you!

[@NorthWestCavalryman]

Hey Tatyana, I really enjoy listening to your advice. I have a question about hand shape when stretching out the fingers. I find that I can only really stretch the cap between my index finger and my middle finger if I end up fretting with my index finger rolled over to the side. So I'm pressing on the outside of my index finger. Is there a specific exercise to overcome this?

[@jaconova]

So much wisdom and cuteness. Love you, Tat.

[@MrPainfulTruth]

Tatyana i get your Rubinstein quote and idea but i'm sure you are aware that there are many musical geniuses who were forced to work a lot harder in early youth and it paid off later. Paco de Lucia was one late example.

[@ansatsusama]

You are AMAZING!!

[@wiz7716]

it's been a long time since last episode (no.4) ....we are very keen and looking toward new episodes please don't let us wait any longer !

[@tatyanaryzhkova]

Don't worry! :-) The next one will come tomorrow ;-)

[@wiz7716]

wow I am very lucky then :) ... thanks ;-)

[@sunking2001]

I've read Andre Segovia used to practice 6 hours a day. Whether that's accurate...I don't know, but, it wouldn't surprise me. After all...he was the "Master."

[@AkiraUema]

"When you have a big chord, you can try to put the bass one octave higher." Yes, that's a nice way to work around that issue. Sometimes I do that when I'm playing the standard 6-string guitar. Or, you could use a 7-string guitar and play that same G in the 7th string! LOL.

[@gonzalezvictorjulio]

Thank you Miss for you wise words!!!

[@aleino00]

Hi tatyana!! I have one definitive question... You can play smoke on the Water??? 😃😊

[@christiaandejong]

Perhaps a good thing to add is how to devide the 2 - 3 hours during the day

[@carlosalfaro1777]

what is you favorite guitar woods for , configuration !! luthier ?? for your amazing tone ?? tanks

[@hereticI]

хм... 8:45 -10:20 хорошая идея. обязательно возьму на вооружение. спасибо)

[@hectoralejandrojaureguiari2962]

Thanks for the tips. Greetings from Huancayo - Perú.

[@PaulMarteau]

me too thank you tatyana

[@theartofshotokan7340]

Your are amazing!!!

[@shawnpalmer8514]

which do you prefer spruce or cedar top?

[@Kapybaraaa]

How do you mute the 6th string with the thumb? my thumb is too short to even reach over the neck

[@mmaiarocha]

Thank you!!!

[@vitorbsg]

Hi, Tatyana. I would know how you capture the sound of the guitar in your videos. What microphone model, which the microphone position. The resulting sound is incredible. I'm a music producer. Thanks for the videos, are always great!

[@hafp18650]

... gracias por compartir tu talento y enseñarnos que con guitarra, para qué orquesta?

[@energy3195]

Удивительная девушка. Прекрасное исполнение...

[@supgentil3453]

🎵🎶🎵 Thanks a lot 💝💙💜 Everybody loves you 🌸🌻🌼

[@Sarahbuildsstepsequencers]

Hello, Tatyana, I hope this finds you feeling wonderful. I really, really enjoy your playing, and real, I think your hands look lovely and graceful the size they are. ☺️ Tatyana, I am wondering if you might play a piece by Guilio Regondi, Mauro Giuliana or perhaps Fernando Sor? It would be wonderful to see and hear you play any of these composers if you have the time. I wish I could contribute to your artistry and continued videos, but I am unable to do so. But, I do love you. Peace, Sarah 🙋🏻💐💐💐

[@mitcherny6965]

Hand size? Very simple test. Try Barrios "Choro da Saudade" that famous big cord in Bar 28. Then you'll see if your size is adequate, or whether you'll never make it.

[@allan2098]

Is there a way around that stretch? Typical Barrios. Most of his pieces need big hands.

[@MiguelBaptista1981]

Much appreciated Tatyana. Cheers, Godbless.

[@KainzMusic]

My hands are a bit on the large side; as a result, open chords and playing close to the nut becomes difficult. Without having to buy another guitar, are there any tips for reducing the cramped quarters?

[@violetac.8845]

Hola Tatiana, has tocado obras de Heitor Villalobos,son fantasticas, gavota choro, schotisch choro, etc, o de Agustin barrios, excelentes compositores latinoamericanos.

[@gonzalezvictorjulio]

Miss. How can we get music sheet of Michelle. That piece and arrangement is awesome!!!

[@darshanataxation]

What is the best guitar for classical please tell me

[@diegorivera8502]

NO SE SI ALGUIEN A QUI HABLA ESPAÑOL, PERO POR FAVOR LE PUEDEN DECIR QUE ME ENCANTA SU VOZ. GRACIAS.

[@AquusWill]

You are so lovely with your fans! :)

[@lawcch]

Tatyana, I do like to ask your questions too. I am your fan too. Do you do any guitar music composing? Who is your favorite composers

[@EditD134]

awsome your guitar ! Rubinstein is not always without doupts I think (one of the . . . unwise classifications . .) (Ha ha Ha . . Rubinstein playing not longer than 3-4 hours what a layer , practicing . . ha ha ha

[@danielcastilloalume719]

Saludos desde ecuador

[@powerplay743]

She has a very long pinky which helps playing the guitar more easily.

[@eos6935]

In some camera angles, it looks like she has a long pinky ... but look at 4:31 or 7:42 ... it seems normal length to me (comes to distal joint of ring finger).

[@rainerbernhardt6193]

Hi Tatyana, thanks for Your comments regarding small hands. I want to add some hints. 1. Often wide chords are especially cumbersome when the piece is new and You play slow. It can halp to first play with a Capo on 1st or 2nd fret until You can play fluently. 2. You are using Ergoplay, I use a Dynarette - the steeper position of the neck and the elevated body give You an additional reach. For me it feels like my fingers get 1 cm longer while using it. 3. Guitars with a flat neck shape leave more room for the fingers. 4. A rounded fredboard feels more komfortable especially with small hands. 5. Fan fretted guitars are a nogo for small handed guitarists. 6. Instruments with more than 6 strings provide more options to build chords. so far my 2 cent... with greetings from Switzerland Rainer

[@gonzalezvictorjulio]

Hi Tatyana. I have always played the guitar but never the classical one. Now at 54 years old I decided to study classical guitar. What exercises do you recommend me so that I can improve in it? I love the guitar too much and want to play it well. Am I too old, right? I don't mind it, I will pursue my dream!! Greetings from Venezuela (South America)

[@waynocook53]

Victor, you're never too old to start. I was 55 when I began. Go for it! It's easier if you hire a teacher than to struggle through the discipline on your own.

[@gonzalezvictorjulio]

Wayne Cook thank you Wayne. I am attending guitar classes once a week and practicing the lessons 2 hours a day. Greetings from Venezuela (Latin American)

[@garrymeadows4452]

Hi Victor i am 55 and have not played a classical guitar. Do you recommend it ? i have played a steel stringed acoustic for many years and would love to learn classical. Are you enjoying it and coming along well ?. Thank you

[@gonzalezvictorjulio]

Hello Garry. Yes, of course! you just need to find a teacher so that he can teach you easy lessons, step by step. It is easy depending on the lessons to study. It requires discipline and perseverance. I am enjoying it a lot, and I recomend you to study it. Besides if you love the guitar you will enjoy it even more. Visit this website:facebook.com/pasoapasoguitarra here they can email you free easy lessons if you make the request to them through their page and give them a "like".

[@gonzalezvictorjulio]

I don´t know if they speak English. If you have trouble not being able to communicate with them in Spanish, let me know what you would like them to send you, and i will do it for you. Bye friend! By the way, Where are you from? I am from Venezuela (Latin America)

[@profereis]

Can you play "Possum Goes To Prague", please? Tanks!

[@stufrim]

Hi Tatyana, and thank you for a very nice and informative video. I also have small hands, but so does Andres Segovia. At least it looks so on his videos. Cheers Kent

[@alexandreaugoyat3492]

Do you play the picolo ?

[@yishay6194]

Youre the best taty Saludos from mexico land of tequila!

[@adamsalceso7297]

Love you

[@alecbass4063]

Tatyana - I have somewhat small hands. Using a 64cm guitar instead of one that is 65cm helped. Guitar length is measured in mm or cm in the US. As for practicing too much, I attended a lecture by Michael Tilson-Thomas who said that a fellow cello student asked the great cellist, Gregor Piatigorsky, if he should practice more than 16 hours each day. Piatigorsky replied that if he has to practice 16 hours each day, then the cello probably isn't the right instrument for him.

[@juliomendez4862]

That last question tho..ahahha

[@lucaborzani56]

she didn't reply

[@MrLeffeh]

Thanks for th lesson do you have a gitarr for sale to mee

[@gloriamarafigo8746]

pucha queria uma professora como essa Nivaldo

[@Phokey29]

I love you!

[@nivaldomessiasmarafigo.aal8241]

Além de artista é muito bonita

[@gloriamarafigo8746]

nossa que legal

[@anderola]

Do you master the tremolo tatyana? Its okay if you dont....🙂

[@MichaelYork777]

I have notice that people with a dyastema, a gap between the two front teeth, have an enhanced right-left brain control ability, allowing for complex bass/melody combinations, such as is essential in classical guitar adaptations. This is just a theory but Steve Howe comes to mind. Tatyana you are an incredible guitarist Thank you for sharing.

[@gloriamarafigo8746]

não entendo inglês mas se pudesse falaria com essa musa encantadora Nivaldo m m

[@BoogAndy]

Dear Tatyana, I hope you're not already married....... :)

[@lucaborzani56]

i thought professionals were studying music 8 hours a day (maybe more), more or less like a full time job

[@jupiterinaries6150]

Maestra, you've such a beautiful profile...

[@joedirt1532]

Was she on that movie Deliverance? I can't figure out that accent

[@octaviogonzalez8322]

you look so different!

[@ilyarudnev497]

а где перевод на русский?

[@汐王寺茉莉花-z7p]

а зачем? - и так же всё понятно

[@ilyarudnev497]

+汐王寺茉莉花 тебе понятно, мне нет.

[@anderola]

I have tea and dark chocolate.....a lot.....😜😄

[@EricWayneThomasMusic]

Tequila is gross and makes people sick. The best refreshment is a glass of water and a breath of fresh air.

[@davidd6218]

So you practice 4 hours and make egg salad the rest of the day? :)

[@gabrielrunco9198]

tatiana is the most beautiful woman in the world

[@ryszardbaran4483]

👸💘💝💗👄

[@nivaldomessiasmarafigo.aal8241]

Hahaha hahaha mas não entendo nada hahaha