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Specifically a Bm with the root on the a string. It seems to be a popular chord for causing wrist pain. I know multiple people who have complained about it with repeated usage. Anyone have some tips on playing these types of chords without eventual injury?
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06-02-2016 10:29 PM
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Just stick to jazz, you'll never have to play that chord again.
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I've been playing bar chords for 41 years and have never had any wrist pain. If you are having pain the two possible solutions I can think of are:
1. Keep your thumb behind the neck and your hand relaxed;
2. Try a guitar with a narrower neck and see if that helps.
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technique seems fine on this end. Seems to be a thing where the left side of the wrist gets extended or something. And I'm talking about repetitive use.
Originally Posted by snoskier63
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20 pushups before playing will strengthen the wrists and help to avoid the injury.
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too much sugar though Originally Posted by Hep To The Jive
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How high/low is your guitar? Is your guitar level or at an angle? These will affect wrist angle.
Have you tried raising your guitar or playing with the neck at a steeper angle? Maybe try classical position and/or a guitar foot stool and see if there's something that's more comfortable? If you're sitting and not using a strap then a guitar cushion to raise the guitar up (try a folded towel between your guitar and leg for now).
http://www.amazon.com/Cushion-Classi...rds=guitar+pad
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Are there specific chords to play in bars? Back when I was still playing in bars I used the same chords that I played in concert halls and they seemed to work just fine.
Danny W.
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and a good diet! Originally Posted by bobsguitars09
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I have arthritis bad in my left hand. Had to quit classical guitar. Set my arch top up for electric use with flat wound strings and the lowest action possible without string buzz. Playing barres requires just a light touch as does all other fretting. Made all the difference for me.
You can make the problem even less of a concern by using the instrument in the classical position with a footstool as Martin Taylor (and I) do. This will give you a straighter wrist and avoid tendon issues. If you want to try this position, youtube has lots of videos on classical guitar playing posture and guitar location.
Cincy
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surprised no one mentioned this, but maybe it's because I come from a classical background. Often when people learn barre chords they don't realize, or aren't taught, how little work the first finger is actually doing. You are not barring 5 strings on the chord you mentioned; you're fretting the bass note with the tip of your finger and the 1st string with your knuckle. What I'm saying is if you remove 4th, 3rd, 2nd fingers from that chord you would hear 5th string, dead 4th, dead3rd, dead 2nd, 1st string; not a clear barre across all strings
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Originally Posted by bobsguitars09
But those are just simplified chords. You'd never actually play the tune like that.
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I really think it's how you hold the guitar. Makes a lot of sense. Never even thought about that. I'm going to try to hold it the classical way and see what happens over time. Anyone know why classical guitarists are taught to hold the guitar this way? And regular guitar students maybe do not?
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If you are an older player (like me) daily stretching is very helpful.
I find "Ulnar Nerve Glides" to be especially useful for managing tendonitis.
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Yes I'm over 50 but it also started in my 30's
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Honestly, the neck up "classical" way has so many benefits...I think the only reason people don't use it consistently is they learned in the "look cool rock school," or they play a big old jazz box that just isn't going to sit between their legs.
(but they make cushions and stuff for that now. I think the easiest fix is to stand and use a strap)
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Ulnar nerve glides stuff looks interesting!
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I agree. Never thought about it much before. Or even use strap when sitting down. Originally Posted by mr. beaumont
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I should do it more often, my back will thank me.
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Originally Posted by Danny W.
Are there specific chords to play in bars? Back when I was still playing in bars I used the same chords that I played in concert halls and they seemed to work just fine.
Danny W.
It's not the chords, your wrist is sore from lifting beers while in a bar. I'm sure there's a study somewhere linking specific beer glasses to pain when playing specific chords. If Bmi is causing you pain then I believe the solution is to switch from a mug to a stein.
BTW notice the neck angle on this emoticon
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Bingo. I do exactly what you're talking about in the last sentence to show people this. Also, most want to press HARDER if the barre isn't "working". "Don't press harder . Press RIGHTER" is the other catchphrase. ( right side of the fret. Nearest sound hole/pick up.) Try to always replace the temptation to press harder with moving the finger to a new position. Originally Posted by joe2758
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The classical position has two advantages. The first is access to the neck and the creation of a favorable wrist angle to permit the long stretches and jumps required to play the repertoire. The second reason is to permit the guitar to project into the audience - the sound board is pointed towards the listener. Almost all classical guitarist play without amplification so it's important to give the instrument the best possible chance to reach the listener. Originally Posted by bobsguitars09
Cincy
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Omit the 5th on the D string and don't bar your index. People who've never experience pain, tightness and limited flexability from nerves have just no clue what it's like. There's no reason to ever play a chord voicing that causes pain for you. Choose a voicing that works for you, ideally you can choose one that sounds best to you, if it hurts to play, seek your next best option. Two notes can define a chord, there's no good reason to play 5 or 6 especially at the expense of pain and possibly (likely) exacerbating your unique physical issues.
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Depends on the context. If all the other voicings in the song use all 6 strings and there is strumming going on.. It will sound off when you continue the strumming on a chord with just a couple strings.
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I don't play totally in classical position because I play an 18 inch wide guitar but I play with the neck up similar to the way Joe Pass plays his guitar. I didn't copy that from Joe but developed it because of my limited joint movement in both wrists. The guitar neck is almost in front of my face and that's the most comfortable position for me. I also play exclusively sitting down and I use a strap or else the guitar goes out of position on me and I wind up over bending my left wrist. BTW, I hate hate hate when people play the guitar down at crotch level and pump the right arm up and down to strum. To me it looks goofy. Originally Posted by mr. beaumont
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