|
Post by Onechordtrick on Feb 2, 2024 14:05:23 GMT
Much as I love my Milsom I’m finding it increasingly uncomfortable to play as it exacerbates an old shoulder pain. I think the extra size compared to my Brook - it’s 1cm deeper and 2cm wider in the lower bout mean it’s too big a stretch. I’ve tried varying the height of my footstool and doing away with it totally, different chairs/stools but nothing has worked.
Any suggestions?
|
|
Wild Violet
Artist / Performer
Posts: 3,556
My main instrument is: Symonds OM-14
|
Post by Wild Violet on Feb 2, 2024 14:30:12 GMT
I used to get shoulder pain when playing dreadnoughts until I moved the guitar to rest on my left thigh instead of right, in a semi-classical position. It took a while to get used to but the pain has never returned. Have you tried anything like that?
|
|
|
Post by jonnymosco on Feb 2, 2024 14:52:23 GMT
It's a common problem that lots of my long-playing students suffer from.
The footstool causes you to twist and create tension in your back, neck and shoulders. Try playing with both feet flat on the floor and everything 'square', equal weight on each buttock.
Use a Dynarette cushion instead of the footstool, find a good height for the guitar that enables you to not bend over when you play and, sad to say, play a smaller guitar - or one with a Manzer wedge.
I hope that helps - if I saw your sitting position and posture, I could help better. Any questions, message me.
Jonny
|
|
|
Post by Onechordtrick on Feb 2, 2024 15:32:03 GMT
Here’s a picture Ignore the left hand, it’s got the camera remote Wild Violet I tried that but found I was twisting/stretching too much to reach the upper frets.
|
|
|
Post by lavaman on Feb 2, 2024 16:17:02 GMT
I too get pain in my right shoulder if I play a dreadnought. My solution? - I don't play deadnoughts anymore. I think its because the depth and the lower bout are too big. I prefer 00 and 000 sizes these days.
|
|
brianr2
C.O.G.
Posts: 3,054
My main instrument is: Brook Lyn guitar
|
Post by brianr2 on Feb 2, 2024 16:40:54 GMT
I have similar issues but with my left wrist as well as my shoulders. I had to dispose of my guitars in favour of smaller-bodied instruments - a Brook Lyn and a (nascent ergonomic) Fylde. I find it better to play with the guitar resting on my left leg and follow Jonny’s sage advice. Warming-up before playing also helps. Were it not for the alternative I would really bemoan getting old.
|
|
|
Post by jonnymosco on Feb 2, 2024 17:22:49 GMT
Here’s a picture Ignore the left hand, it’s got the camera remote Wild Violet I tried that but found I was twisting/stretching too much to reach the upper frets. You look comfortable and relaxed physically - the cushion should solve the problem, raising the guitar and enabling your shoulders to be level - with both feet flat on the floor there will be no twisting. Also, without tension in the body you'll be able to focus on the music. Jonny
|
|
|
Post by Onechordtrick on Feb 3, 2024 13:44:52 GMT
Thanks jonnymoscoI’ve analysed a little further; what’s happening is that the upper bout is digging into my upper arm so to relieve the pressure I’m rolling my right shoulder forwards so I become hunched over the guitar.
|
|
ocarolan
Global Moderator
CURMUDGEONLY OLD GIT (leader - to join, just ask!)
Posts: 33,965
Mini-Profile Background: {"image":"","color":"c0cfe1"}
Mini-Profile Name Color: 182a3f
Mini-Profile Text Color: 733a1c
|
Post by ocarolan on Feb 3, 2024 14:01:27 GMT
- try rotating the guitar so that the soundboard is pointing up a bit, rather than straight forwards. This could be enough to relieve the forearm pressure but may just move the problem to your thigh!
Thigh bevels don't seem to be a "thing", but seem more sensible to me than arm bevels when sitting down.. .
Keith
|
|
|
Post by Onechordtrick on Feb 3, 2024 17:01:52 GMT
- try rotating the guitar so that the soundboard is pointing up a bit, rather than straight forwards. This could be enough to relieve the forearm pressure but may just move the problem to your thigh! Thigh bevels don't seem to be a "thing", but seem more sensible to me than arm bevels when sitting down.. . Keith Thanks, helped a little but I think I’m going to have to come to terms with the fact that it may just be too big for me.
|
|
|
Post by otis1960 on Feb 3, 2024 18:18:00 GMT
It's a common problem that lots of my long-playing students suffer from. The footstool causes you to twist and create tension in your back, neck and shoulders. Try playing with both feet flat on the floor and everything 'square', equal weight on each buttock. Use a Dynarette cushion instead of the footstool, find a good height for the guitar that enables you to not bend over when you play and, sad to say, play a smaller guitar - or one with a Manzer wedge. I hope that helps - if I saw your sitting position and posture, I could help better. Any questions, message me. Jonny Is the Dynarette a better option than the Gitano-type supports? It would seem to spread the load better, but I have no experience of either option. As I too have hand and shoulder problems then keen to explore just about any solution. Thanks Andrew
|
|
|
Post by jonnymosco on Feb 3, 2024 18:47:50 GMT
Is the Dynarette a better option than the Gitano-type supports? It would seem to spread the load better, but I have no experience of either option. As I too have hand and shoulder problems then keen to explore just about any solution. Thanks Andrew The Dynarette (or copy) is better if you don't travel with it, it is bulky. The Gitano is good and compact, but suction pads do come off... I use a adhesive foils for mine. Jonny
|
|
|
Post by andy3sheds on Feb 14, 2024 14:00:14 GMT
I’ve succumbed to shoulder pain but I’m not blaming my guitars. The problem arose after a couple of days intensive tree and hedge pruning with anvil blade loppers. I found it most comfortable and pain free to play the guitar with my upper right arm as close to vertical as possible which means the only option is for the guitar to rest on the right thigh I have of course bought some new loppers
|
|
|
Post by Onechordtrick on Feb 14, 2024 17:51:39 GMT
I’ve succumbed to shoulder pain but I’m not blaming my guitars. The problem arose after a couple of days intensive tree and hedge pruning with anvil blade loppers. I found it most comfortable and pain free to play the guitar with my upper right arm as close to vertical as possible which means the only option is for the guitar to rest on the right thigh I have of course bought some new loppers I took an alternative approach and bought a new guitar. But in my case it was warranted, the replacement is smaller in a couple of key dimensions and small enough make it comfortable to play.
|
|
|
Post by otis1960 on Feb 26, 2024 9:45:01 GMT
I’ve succumbed to shoulder pain but I’m not blaming my guitars. The problem arose after a couple of days intensive tree and hedge pruning with anvil blade loppers. I found it most comfortable and pain free to play the guitar with my upper right arm as close to vertical as possible which means the only option is for the guitar to rest on the right thigh I have of course bought some new loppers I took an alternative approach and bought a new guitar. But in my case it was warranted, the replacement is smaller in a couple of key dimensions and small enough make it comfortable to play. Was the Lyn the replacement of which you speak, or have you indulged in a further GAS episode?
|
|