Path of Least Resistance: When to use it and when not to ?The path of least resistance is a phrase we hear a lot. It means to take the easiest route on offer instead of slugging away at a more difficult course of action.
Sometimes, the phrase can have negative connotations and is used to imply that someone is not putting in enough effort and is coasting through something on autopilot.
However, when applied in a positive light, can it benefit us as guitarists ? I believe it can.
When you play certain licks, do your hands gravitate towards a certain way of doing them ? Does your fretting hand take on a slightly different angle in order to execute a particular run ?
Sometimes, when our hands do things that seem to look, or feel, different to the majority of our technique we often think that we need to correct them so that they stand in line with how we play the rest of the time. We think that it must be that we haven't put in enough effort to make them sit a different way or move a different way.
Sometimes, that is the case. But sometimes, it might not be the case.
Let's say that you play with a classical hand position most of the time. But there's a certain type of lick where you always angle your hand to play. Now that might upset you and you feel like you should work at it until your hand can play the lick with a classical positon.. like you do the rest of the time. But instead, what if you embraced it and just left it ? Instead, just work on making the lick sound the best it can, get it up to speed and don't worry how your hand looks.
That would be an example of taking the path of least resistance and scoring a great lick in less time than if you tried to 'correct' your hand position.
Now, imagine if you applied this philosophy to every aspect of your guitar playing. Take notice of what your hands and fingers are telling you when you play. If you find that you're 20% closer to nailing a lick by doing it one way as opposed to another way then take the way that is closer. You're more likely to get the lick sounding better and it frees your time up to learn something else. Doesn't matter if it doesn't seem to 'comply' with your overall approach or technique. If it works in this instance then use it.
The path of least resistance applied to guitar playing. Don't fight it, take it !
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Ben Higgins Path Of Least Resisitance Jul 4 2014, 03:10 PM
