Finger ache problem!

doruondun · #1 02-24-2010, 09:41 AM

Hi,

I just started practicing and after a lot of arpeggio and scale practice my fingers middle joints (left hand) really hurts... Especially the middle joint of my index finger! And this ache take days... I have a big hand and long fingers, so I play comfortable, but why this ache occurs? Is it normal or do I have to worry? Or my hand is get soft from lack of work?

GuitaRoland · #2 02-24-2010, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doruondun

Hi,

I just started practicing and after a lot of arpeggio and scale practice my fingers middle joints (left hand) really hurts... Especially the middle joint of my index finger! And this ache take days... I have a big hand and long fingers, so I play comfortable, but why this ache occurs? Is it normal or do I have to worry? Or my hand is get soft from lack of work?

It is common to use more force then needed when you start playing guitar. This can result in sore muscles of the same kind you can get if jogging or training in a gym.
Try not to use more force than necessary and after a couple of weeks or month you probably won't feel the pain any longer.

Good Luck!
/R

bruceshannon · #3 02-24-2010, 04:40 PM

Rest when you feel pain... that's your body telling you to stop hurting it. Maybe just practice scales / arps in short bursts... say 5mins at a time and then shake out your wrists and fingers. Break up your practice with other types of activiites, e.g transcription. Repetitive strain can be really nasty...

doruondun · #4 02-24-2010, 06:03 PM

Thank you guys, I'm resting and massaging my fingers at brakes... I think I'm pushing too hard... I'm studying Mimi Fox's arpeggio studies right now, so when I play together with the audio catching the rhythm stresses my hands and fingers...

TommyD · #5 02-25-2010, 12:02 AM

Before and after playing, soak your hands in hot-but-comfortable water with a little bar soap suds in it (helps prevent "prune fingertips"). One of the greatest pianists of the 20th Century always soaked his hands and forearms in hot water before recording sessions.
Also, stop playing when you have pain. It means you've stressed your finger joints, and perhaps your hand muscles. Your body is trying to tell you something. Listen to it.

T/

doruondun · #6 02-25-2010, 04:00 AM

Thank you TommyD ill try... Maybe washing hands with hot water before playing, and after...

Btw, what is the ideal seating position? Using a seat with a back or no? And do you use a strap for the guitar when you are playing in a sitting position?

bass2man · #7 02-25-2010, 07:56 PM

Yo should always use a strap even if you are sitting down...you will subconsciously trying to hold the guitar with your hands or maybe be hunched trying to hold it if you don't...maybe even the cause of your pain....and if you practice sitting down without a strap, when you do have a gig and strap th eguitar on, it will really feel different....

Uli · #8 02-26-2010, 02:16 AM

And never forget: Pain is just weakness leaving the body ;-)

doruondun · #9 02-26-2010, 05:50 AM

Yes, I realized that I was holding the guitar neck with my left hand while I play... I think it's the key! Now I'm using a strap and it feels so comfy!

Also another question: Do you do arm and finger exercises (streching) before-@brakes-after playing?

coolvinny · #10 02-26-2010, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bruceshannon

Rest when you feel pain... that's your body telling you to stop hurting it. Maybe just practice scales / arps in short bursts... say 5mins at a time and then shake out your wrists and fingers. Break up your practice with other types of activiites, e.g transcription. Repetitive strain can be really nasty...

+1. I'm recovering from repetitive strain as we speak. I practiced about 7 hours a day back-to-back on the weekend a few weeks back, and preceded that with about a month of 3 hours a day of really hard, foused practice. My left arm ached a bit so I backed off to about 90 min/day of practice - instead of just taking a few days off.

Then after working hard on a walking bass lesson in JJG for about 90 min straight (all middle, ring and pinky fingers due to the nature of the lesson), my left arm was toast. I've basically been out for 2 weeks, and I've been going to physiotherapy.

I used to take breaks every 40 min and had no problems. I'm going back to that approach once I recover.

Also, typing at work doesn't help so keep that in mind when pacing your guitar practice.