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Topics > Right hand techniques
The -v-v- movement or how to play two consecutive downstrokes
This movement is probably one of the hardest to integrate and play naturally. Actually, one of the basic principles in Manouche guitar is to always use a downstroke when changing string, or to play important beats loud, which at first may seem counter-productive as far as speed is concerned. It's especially one of the toughest issues met by experienced guitarists with their share of "bad" habits. For the very least, playing downstrokes while sweeping strings downwards is still natural because it's common to all styles, Manouche inclusive. However, there's no such thing as upwards sweeping, and sometimes there is a need to make two consecutive downstrokes on the same string. At speedy tempos, this can become quite difficult and the wrist should be very innervated and muscled to make this gesture become smooth. Whatever you may try to find to justify the use of any non-Manouche technique to play Manouche, it is most probably wrong and you should persevere instead (I know, I did just that too).
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