The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #127232 Message #2836546
Posted By: John P
11-Feb-10 - 05:18 PM
Thread Name: Re-learning left hand technique
Subject: RE: Re-learning left hand technique
I had to relearn the positions of both hands a few years back due to serious tendonitis in both wrists. I've learned to keep my wrists straight, which seems to be the biggest help. I think I'm somewhere between classical position and rocker penis-guitar position, but the pain flare-ups are rare and easily managed now.
I also had to learn to hold my pick differently, which was the hardest part. It turns out that, for me at least, part of knowing a tune is hand position and pick grip. New tunes were easy to learn with a better position. Tunes I already knew had to be learned over practically from scratch. The occupational therapist asked me where it hurt in my right hand and then said, "I bet you hold your pick like this, don't you?" She actually made me a brace that forced my hand into a non-destructive position.
I also finally figured out that I can play faster, more accurately, and less painfully if I don't lift the fingers of my left hand any farther than necessary to let the string ring. I used to move them an inch or more just lifting them up and putting them down. Now I move them quarter inch or less.
I was just diagnosed with arthritis in my left thumb a couple of months ago. Fortunately, it means I have more trouble picking up coins than playing the guitar, but a couple of hours of hard playing leaves me sore for a couple of days. It sometimes means I don't rehearse at all between gigs. Argh!
John