Not at all! We find that players become accustomed to using the Hipshot Hip lever in just a few hours of practice. We have many players using the hipshot on recordings, live gigs and on National Tours. Will Ray of the Hellecasters recorded an excellent b-bending teaching video call "Will Ray's B-Bending Mania" which Hipshot Products offers. This will give you an excellent jump start and have you playing "twang" guitar in a few hours.