How Trey Hensley Rebuilt His Right Hand After Injury and Found His Musical Identity
PodcastThe Injury That Changed Everything
Sometimes the greatest obstacles become our most valuable teachers. For acclaimed bluegrass guitarist Trey Hensley, a right-hand injury during a 30-day tour with Tommy Emmanuel and David Grisman in 2018 forced him to completely rebuild his technique from the ground up.
"The first night I started having the issues," Hensley recalls. "I was just playing too hard. I was keeping my right hand too tight and just, you know, I was doing a lot of anchoring on the bridge pins or just holding down a little harder and everything was tight."
What could have ended his career instead became the catalyst for developing a more sophisticated and sustainable approach to playing. The injury forced Hensley to dissect his technique in ways he'd never done before, leading to years of methodical right-hand development that would ultimately make him a stronger player.
The Science of Right-Hand Fundamentals
Hensley's recovery involved returning to basics with an almost scientific approach. His daily practice routine now begins with cross-picking drills that focus on pick direction, tone, and maintaining a relaxed hand position.
"Every day I'll practice playing cross picking stuff," he explains. "I'll work on like 6-5, 5-4, 4-3, 3-2, 3-1, 1-2, 2-3, 3-4, 4-5, 5-6. I'm just really nerding out on the pick direction, making sure my pick's hitting flat, making sure that I'm going in a straight line."
Key Technical Points:
- Attack angle: Keep the pick hitting the strings as flat as possible for optimal tone
- Wrist position: Maintain a straight line from forearm to hand, avoiding backward arcing
- Tension management: Play with minimal tension, focusing on loose wrist and forearm movement
- Pick selection: Use beveled picks like Blue Chip or Tone Slide for smoother attack
The injury also taught Hensley about the importance of hand positioning. He moved away from excessive anchoring on bridge pins, though he acknowledges that his banjo background still influences his technique in certain situations.
Developing the Bluegrass "Bounce"
One of the biggest challenges for guitarists transitioning into bluegrass is developing what Hensley calls the "bounce" - the rhythmic intensity and on-the-beat phrasing that defines the genre.
"There is a bounce with the right hand that happens that is a barrier for anybody getting into it," he notes. "It's very typewriterish, you know. It's on the top of the beat, but there's a gallop thing with your right hand that just naturally occurs."
"I always thought it was the best part, but just learning fiddle tunes... listen to the way that fiddle players play. Most of it goes back to Doc Watson and Tony and Clarence White."
Hensley recommends practicing cross-picking banjo rolls and fiddle tunes to develop this essential rhythmic feel. Even simple exercises like muting the strings while practicing the picking pattern can help build the necessary muscle memory.
Tony Rice: The Ultimate Influence
No discussion of Hensley's development would be complete without acknowledging Tony Rice's profound influence. Like many bluegrass guitarists, Hensley spent countless hours studying Rice's playing, but he also traced Rice's own evolution as a musician.
"There's pre-80s Tony and then afterwards when he started listening to Miles Davis and working with John Carlini," Hensley explains. "That was the first concert I saw of Tony... he kicked it off with a Jimmy Martin song and then he played 'My Favorite Things.' I went the next day to look for a John Coltrane record, expecting some amazing guitar player, and here's this sax player."
This discovery opened Hensley's ears to jazz, leading him to study players like John Coltrane, Grant Green, Lee Morgan, and Wes Montgomery. The influence of these artists subtly appears in his playing through expanded harmonic vocabulary and sophisticated phrasing choices.
Battling Impostor Syndrome at the Highest Level
Despite his Grammy win and recognition as one of today's premier bluegrass guitarists, Hensley still struggles with impostor syndrome - a reminder that even world-class musicians face self-doubt.
"You always just think you're going to show up and somebody's going to find out you suck," he admits candidly. "I remember when I played the Opry when I was a kid... there was that moment right before I started playing that I was like, 'There's no way I'm good enough to be able to be here.'"
Hensley has learned to manage these feelings by focusing on his love of music rather than external validation. He also notes that recording taught him not to judge his playing immediately after performing, as mistakes often sound worse in memory than in reality.
Balancing Speed with Musicality
While Hensley possesses considerable technical ability, he's increasingly focused on serving the song rather than showcasing speed for its own sake.
"I much prefer playing to the song," he states. "When I'm listening to music, I listen to guitar players that play to the song. One of my favorite guitar players is Mike Campbell of Tom Petty's band just because all those records are just very much whatever the song needs."
This philosophy reflects a maturation process that many advanced players experience - moving from technical display toward musical expression and taste.
Practical Exercises for Development
Based on Hensley's approach, here are key exercises for developing bluegrass guitar technique:
Right-Hand Cross-Picking Drill:
Practice the 6-5-4-3-2-1-2-3-4-5-6 pattern daily, focusing on:
- Consistent pick attack angle
- Relaxed hand position
- Even tone across all strings
- Gradual tempo increases with metronome
Chord Shape Exercise:
Play simple 1-4-5 progressions (G-C-D) using three-note patterns, moving up the neck chromatically while maintaining consistent right-hand technique.
Fiddle Tune Study:
Learn classic fiddle tunes like "Salt Creek" and "Blackberry Blossom," focusing on developing the characteristic bluegrass "bounce" and rhythmic precision.
The Path Forward
Hensley's story demonstrates that setbacks can become setups for greater success. His injury forced him to develop a more sophisticated technical approach while his broad musical interests - from jazz to country to metal - continue to inform his unique voice within the bluegrass tradition.
As he prepares to release new acoustic and electric records while transitioning from his longtime duo, Hensley represents the evolution of bluegrass guitar - honoring tradition while pushing boundaries and finding personal expression within established forms.
For aspiring players, his journey offers both inspiration and practical wisdom: focus on fundamentals, embrace diverse musical influences, and remember that even world-class musicians continue learning and growing throughout their careers.
