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Post by skyetripper on Nov 11, 2020 15:19:28 GMT
Bit of a strange request in many ways, but for various reasons, I have problems with feeling in my hands and they sometimes lack strength. It's not always too bad but my playing is really inconsistent which really doesn't help when I'm trying to learn something new. I can actually play pretty well at times, but it's never the same twice and at times it really bugs me. Anyway, that's enough mithering - does anyone have any tips that they can share for improving strength or any good exercise regimes for hands?
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ocarolan
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Post by ocarolan on Nov 11, 2020 15:40:50 GMT
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Post by jonnymosco on Nov 11, 2020 18:08:26 GMT
Here ya go:
Good luck.
Jonny
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Post by dshevy on Nov 17, 2020 19:55:32 GMT
Bit of a strange request in many ways, but for various reasons, I have problems with feeling in my hands and they sometimes lack strength. It's not always too bad but my playing is really inconsistent which really doesn't help when I'm trying to learn something new. I can actually play pretty well at times, but it's never the same twice and at times it really bugs me. Anyway, that's enough mithering - does anyone have any tips that they can share for improving strength or any good exercise regimes for hands? Aside from exercising your hands, what strings do you use? My dad had a Stroke 3 years ago and switched to Newton Heritage strings. They have a lower and even tension, he recently brought a Taran second hand and was upset he may not like it as it was ‘hard to play’ until he swapped strings. They really do make a difference even though he has mild neuropathy still, maybe a change as well as strengthening might yield even stronger results Regards David
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Post by otis1960 on Nov 17, 2020 22:16:48 GMT
Really interesting exercise from Jonny I also suffer with left hand problems, so will give this a go. Watching Jonny’s instructions, my hand position is nothing like his, so I might need a strap to change this.
I really rate the Newtones, by the way. They make a significant difference.
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Post by skyetripper on Nov 18, 2020 11:02:12 GMT
Thanks for the info and comments gents. I've been trying Jonny's practice regime and it's really useful (thanks Jonny), although I've never really had too much problem with hammer on / pull off. Practicing is definitely helping to make it cleaner though.
I'm currently using D'Addario EJ16's on both guitars and I don't have too much issue with them, although I may give Newtones a try. I suppose realistically my problems stem more from how quickly my hands fatigue rather than actual strength. I should come clean and say the core of the problem is that I have MS (quite mild) which gives all sorts of hand issues and I'm just trying to find ways of improving my playing / hand control so more practice regimes will probably be the way forward.
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Post by Amit on Nov 19, 2020 13:58:07 GMT
Hi there, I've similar issues - I've got HNPP, which also impacts the myelin sheath around my nerves - in my case predominantly my hands and feet. I've had very similar problems around loss of sensation, hand strength and fatigue, so am interested to read the tips here. I've found the act of playing has helped me a lot, besides that gently squeezing a stress ball and warm water have both been helpful in the past. But as you alluded to in your original post, how the hands are doing can vary day to day (or hour to hour). Really hope it improves for you, and if you find anything that works well, let me know!
Cheers Amit
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willbill
Sore Fingers
Posts: 8
My main instrument is: Taran Tirga Mhor Fan Fret
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Post by willbill on Nov 19, 2020 22:14:51 GMT
I've had similar problems with hands, lack of grip strength and fingers just feeling stiff, more so some days than others, in fact some days I give up after 10 mins as the fingers are just not playing ball. Eventually went to the chiropractor who said it was tendonitis in both forearms. Had a session of acupuncture which may have helped but was damned painful, also been putting on heat packs to get the circulation going plus doing some stretching. It's slowly improving.
I wondered if anyone here had tried the compression sleeves for tendonitis and if they helped, I see a few guitarists using them now and again.
Cheers
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Post by Gregg Hermetech on Nov 22, 2020 10:16:58 GMT
I've been doing Justin's "Finger Gym" exercises at the start of every practise session for the last couple of years, and it really seems to help my finger strength (and left/right hand coordination, and timing). Start with the basics at low tempo, and don't do too much too fast. I went slowly but now do them all and also added a five fret hammer-on/pull-off at the beginning and end. I do it at 80 bpm and it takes about 9 minutes. www.justinguitar.com/guitar-lessons/finger-gym-te-110
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Post by skyetripper on Nov 22, 2020 12:10:19 GMT
Hi there, I've similar issues - I've got HNPP, which also impacts the myelin sheath around my nerves - in my case predominantly my hands and feet. I've had very similar problems around loss of sensation, hand strength and fatigue, so am interested to read the tips here. I've found the act of playing has helped me a lot, besides that gently squeezing a stress ball and warm water have both been helpful in the past. But as you alluded to in your original post, how the hands are doing can vary day to day (or hour to hour). Really hope it improves for you, and if you find anything that works well, let me know! Cheers Amit HNPP sounds like very similar symptoms to MS. I have been trying some finger exercises before playing and I do know that being relaxed always helps. Ironically, the perceived wisdom is that heat is bad for MS symptoms but I always find that being warm helps. I’ll certainly have a look at the Justin guitar exercises and I have been doing the Jonny Mosco ones and I’m sure they’re helping.
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Post by andyhowell on Dec 5, 2020 11:16:46 GMT
Interesting stuff there. I suspect experiemnting with strings my well yeild results. Jonny's exercises are — as ever — rteally useful but I doubt they'd help me. My hands and fingers have given up years ago!
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Post by jonnymosco on Dec 12, 2020 13:10:30 GMT
I think that reducing unnecessary finger movements and excess effort will always help - there is no quick fix, but an exercise such as this one will really help if repeated regularly over months (years).
Also, most people exert too much pressure when fretting notes, so try this exercise by only placing the fingers on the string and not attempting to create a clear note, then gradually (over a week perhaps) apply more pressure until the note is clear (always make sure the fingertip is right up to the fretwire).
Jonny
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Post by skyetripper on Dec 14, 2020 10:45:23 GMT
Once again, an excellent video lesson. This actually is probably more applicable to me than the last one - I've re-watched a couple of videos of myself playing and I do tend to lift fingers right off the fretboard. Once it's pointed out, it's pretty obvious that it means putting more effort in. Coincidentally, I happened on another video that covered some of the same info and I have been using chromatic scales to help practice positioning and finger memory, but yours makes more sense. (Should have checked out some more of your videos sooner...)
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Post by Deleted on Dec 15, 2020 16:49:23 GMT
I put a set of 13s on one of my guitars and that has increased my finger strength. I also use a powerball regularly (I got it years ago when they cost seven or 8 quid - they might be more now). It's hard to measure how much or even if it helps but it certainly won't have done me any harm. EDIT: There are some powerballs for sale here for buttons.
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