Getting older, fingers getting stiff
Discussion
I am a very amateur guitarist, self taught picking things up as I went along so my technique is pretty rubbish.
I have noticed in the last year or so that it is getting harder for me to hold particular chord shapes, an example being the into riff to Mr Brightside (I'm in a covers band I have to play it!). It is now almost painful to hold that shape, even with my Ibanez AZ I need to bring my thumb to the front of the neck.
I don't want to relearn how to play but I wondered if anyone had any good exercises which would help.
I have noticed in the last year or so that it is getting harder for me to hold particular chord shapes, an example being the into riff to Mr Brightside (I'm in a covers band I have to play it!). It is now almost painful to hold that shape, even with my Ibanez AZ I need to bring my thumb to the front of the neck.
I don't want to relearn how to play but I wondered if anyone had any good exercises which would help.
Maybe re-voice the chords using other strings? ISTR that Mr. Brightside has quite a complex picking pattern high up on the neck.
Also consider only playing the chord notes that matter, in that (sorry if I'm teaching to the converted, here) to play an Am9 you only need the notes A / C / G / B and could even omit the G. Then again, I suppose it's dependent on the tune; I've been trying to nail the opening to "Josie" by Steely Dan over the last few days, and have called it quits. The change from a D/G to Abm13 is too much, and tells me that Larry Carlton was a force of nature.
Also consider only playing the chord notes that matter, in that (sorry if I'm teaching to the converted, here) to play an Am9 you only need the notes A / C / G / B and could even omit the G. Then again, I suppose it's dependent on the tune; I've been trying to nail the opening to "Josie" by Steely Dan over the last few days, and have called it quits. The change from a D/G to Abm13 is too much, and tells me that Larry Carlton was a force of nature.
davidd said:
I am a very amateur guitarist, self taught picking things up as I went along so my technique is pretty rubbish.
I have noticed in the last year or so that it is getting harder for me to hold particular chord shapes, an example being the into riff to Mr Brightside (I'm in a covers band I have to play it!). It is now almost painful to hold that shape, even with my Ibanez AZ I need to bring my thumb to the front of the neck.
I don't want to relearn how to play but I wondered if anyone had any good exercises which would help.
I have a few issues ,not sure if it’s arthritic or injuries due to poor technique having self taught myself .I have noticed in the last year or so that it is getting harder for me to hold particular chord shapes, an example being the into riff to Mr Brightside (I'm in a covers band I have to play it!). It is now almost painful to hold that shape, even with my Ibanez AZ I need to bring my thumb to the front of the neck.
I don't want to relearn how to play but I wondered if anyone had any good exercises which would help.
Hard to describe the exercises so search you tube for hand exercises ,they help but don’t cure .
Yes. For sure. I do it for a living. Not quite as fluid as I was even five years ago.
You can kind of get around it with technique.
I just finished a record I’ve been doing with loads of really complex fingerpicking required. The 12 string pieces were quite a challenge. Made the classic mistake of writing stuff I can only just play. Managed it just.
You can kind of get around it with technique.
I just finished a record I’ve been doing with loads of really complex fingerpicking required. The 12 string pieces were quite a challenge. Made the classic mistake of writing stuff I can only just play. Managed it just.
cherryowen said:
Maybe re-voice the chords using other strings? ISTR that Mr. Brightside has quite a complex picking pattern high up on the neck.
Also consider only playing the chord notes that matter, in that (sorry if I'm teaching to the converted, here) to play an Am9 you only need the notes A / C / G / B and could even omit the G. Then again, I suppose it's dependent on the tune; I've been trying to nail the opening to "Josie" by Steely Dan over the last few days, and have called it quits. The change from a D/G to Abm13 is too much, and tells me that Larry Carlton was a force of nature.
Sorry for quoting myself, but an example that may explain my thinking and help the OP, I fiddled around with the above chords earlier. Tonally, I can do the D/G by doing a Bm on the G, B, and E strings with an open D and do the Abm13 using the E7 shape I'd use with the low E on the 7th fret, but fretted with the ring and little finger on fret 5 using the D, G, B, and E strings.Also consider only playing the chord notes that matter, in that (sorry if I'm teaching to the converted, here) to play an Am9 you only need the notes A / C / G / B and could even omit the G. Then again, I suppose it's dependent on the tune; I've been trying to nail the opening to "Josie" by Steely Dan over the last few days, and have called it quits. The change from a D/G to Abm13 is too much, and tells me that Larry Carlton was a force of nature.
You might have to re-learn how you are playing the intro? A good video here breaking down the chord/arpeggio sequence in the intro:
I tried playing this for the first time today using the tab online and then listened to the actual track. Although the key is listed online as C#major, the guitar must be tuned to E flat - as there is an open E in the arpeggio alternating with the E played on the G string if that makes sense. Either that or play it in D major. A bit confusing.
A couple of things to point out with difficult chords, don't put too much pressure on the strings as this will fatigue your fretting hand, break them down into their components. Here there are 3 things going on with the melody plus quite a complex picking pattern. As far as finger strength exercises go - chromatic scales are good as they flex the fingers and strengthen them (and are very boring but effective).
I tried playing this for the first time today using the tab online and then listened to the actual track. Although the key is listed online as C#major, the guitar must be tuned to E flat - as there is an open E in the arpeggio alternating with the E played on the G string if that makes sense. Either that or play it in D major. A bit confusing.
A couple of things to point out with difficult chords, don't put too much pressure on the strings as this will fatigue your fretting hand, break them down into their components. Here there are 3 things going on with the melody plus quite a complex picking pattern. As far as finger strength exercises go - chromatic scales are good as they flex the fingers and strengthen them (and are very boring but effective).
cherryowen said:
Maybe re-voice the chords using other strings? ISTR that Mr. Brightside has quite a complex picking pattern high up on the neck.
Also consider only playing the chord notes that matter, in that (sorry if I'm teaching to the converted, here) to play an Am9 you only need the notes A / C / G / B and could even omit the G. Then again, I suppose it's dependent on the tune; I've been trying to nail the opening to "Josie" by Steely Dan over the last few days, and have called it quits. The change from a D/G to Abm13 is too much, and tells me that Larry Carlton was a force of nature.
I had a go at this for the first time too using guitar tab and memory of the intro. That last change is the most difficult bit as you have to mute the A and D string either with an incomplete bar chord or muting A/D with one of the other fingers playing the chord - otherwise a doddle. No really it isn't, what works for me is to play the chords it in positions 1st, 2nd, 2nd, 3rd - for the 4 chords before the funky bit with Em7.Also consider only playing the chord notes that matter, in that (sorry if I'm teaching to the converted, here) to play an Am9 you only need the notes A / C / G / B and could even omit the G. Then again, I suppose it's dependent on the tune; I've been trying to nail the opening to "Josie" by Steely Dan over the last few days, and have called it quits. The change from a D/G to Abm13 is too much, and tells me that Larry Carlton was a force of nature.
Edited by Yahonza on Thursday 17th August 00:33
Thanks chaps. I may have sold you a dummy re brightside. I can still play it (just like Carl) and find the riff very satisfying.
But it is getting harder so I want exercises to make it easier..
Scales are good and I'm doing them (never really bothered before), and I have found some yoga stretches.
Will keep you posted.
But it is getting harder so I want exercises to make it easier..
Scales are good and I'm doing them (never really bothered before), and I have found some yoga stretches.
Will keep you posted.
Read briefly this morning that Brian May is starting to get concerned, both about standing up for two hours and the actual finger work too.
Age is a bu66er but it comes to all of us. Well most anyway.
Watched Peter Frampton farewell concert on TV last night, he has to sit down now, worried he'll fall due to a degenerative muscular complaint.
Age is a bu66er but it comes to all of us. Well most anyway.
Watched Peter Frampton farewell concert on TV last night, he has to sit down now, worried he'll fall due to a degenerative muscular complaint.
Yahonza said:
cherryowen said:
Maybe re-voice the chords using other strings? ISTR that Mr. Brightside has quite a complex picking pattern high up on the neck.
Also consider only playing the chord notes that matter, in that (sorry if I'm teaching to the converted, here) to play an Am9 you only need the notes A / C / G / B and could even omit the G. Then again, I suppose it's dependent on the tune; I've been trying to nail the opening to "Josie" by Steely Dan over the last few days, and have called it quits. The change from a D/G to Abm13 is too much, and tells me that Larry Carlton was a force of nature.
I had a go at this for the first time too using guitar tab and memory of the intro. That last change is the most difficult bit as you have to mute the A and D string either with an incomplete bar chord or muting A/D with one of the other fingers playing the chord - otherwise a doddle. No really it isn't, what works for me is to play the chords it in positions 1st, 2nd, 2nd, 3rd - for the 4 chords before the funky bit with Em7.Also consider only playing the chord notes that matter, in that (sorry if I'm teaching to the converted, here) to play an Am9 you only need the notes A / C / G / B and could even omit the G. Then again, I suppose it's dependent on the tune; I've been trying to nail the opening to "Josie" by Steely Dan over the last few days, and have called it quits. The change from a D/G to Abm13 is too much, and tells me that Larry Carlton was a force of nature.
Edited by Yahonza on Thursday 17th August 00:33
I got one of these last week.
https://amzn.eu/d/bu1LsKK
Which along with basic scales and a bit of hand stretching is certainly making a difference.
I have a lot less stiffness in my hand, never going to be doing massive fret stretches but think Brightside is safe for a while.
Need to work on my tennis elbow now (although I have ever played!).
D
https://amzn.eu/d/bu1LsKK
Which along with basic scales and a bit of hand stretching is certainly making a difference.
I have a lot less stiffness in my hand, never going to be doing massive fret stretches but think Brightside is safe for a while.
Need to work on my tennis elbow now (although I have ever played!).
D
davidd said:
I got one of these last week.
https://amzn.eu/d/bu1LsKK
Which along with basic scales and a bit of hand stretching is certainly making a difference.
I have a lot less stiffness in my hand, never going to be doing massive fret stretches but think Brightside is safe for a while.
Need to work on my tennis elbow now (although I have ever played!).
D
I came on to reccomend using a tennis ball and giving it a squeeze x10 ,it hasn’t cured my stiffness but definitely eased it .https://amzn.eu/d/bu1LsKK
Which along with basic scales and a bit of hand stretching is certainly making a difference.
I have a lot less stiffness in my hand, never going to be doing massive fret stretches but think Brightside is safe for a while.
Need to work on my tennis elbow now (although I have ever played!).
D
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