playing disease
Okay, I keep hearing horror stories about players who develop tendonitis and stuff and I'd like to know how to prevent this myself.
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I've been playin' for about a total of 12-16 hrs a week for 15 years.Had all the little wrist bones turned into powder on my right picking hand from bike wreck(this was 10 yrs ago..does'nt affect much at all,thankfully;-) and overall,turning forty,so far so good.Maybe being a mechanic and having to use your fingers and arms a lot helps.Dunno..Chondroitin and VitaminC help joints flow..Dunno..Just be happy playin'!
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Be careful not to tense up, especially when alternate picking, and you can play for a lot longer without developing any kind of condition. I know because 3 or 4 years ago I got some mild swelling in the tendons in my elbow, much like "tennis elbow" which tennis players get from their forehand. Playing relaxed also helps you develop a cleaner attack to, so there are musical as well as physical benefits from this.
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Hold the guitar at whatever position is most comfortable for you, not at whatever looks the coolest. I found that I got less fatigue in my forearm when I was playing sitting down, so if I have to stand when I'm playing I use a short strap like a jazz player. Not the coolest looking but it takes the pressure off the tendons and allows me to play a lot faster and cleaner. Akira is also right, soaking your hands in warm water helps a lot too. I just recorded in a studio which was like an icebox, I soaked my hands before every solo, made a big difference. Also, don't crack your knuckles or wrists, it's not good for your joints. Cod liver oil capsules and chondroiten are also good for maintaining joint flexibility. Also, if you're playing something that causes your forearm to burn, take a break for a few minutes, shake your arms and allow the blood flow to carry away the lactic acid.
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Originally Posted by: Akira+237623774
???
here's some info on cod liver oil... http://www.fish-foundation.org.uk/joints.htm
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Was just wondering if it was a numerology thing!
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