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I have noticed that when I play in plectrum tuning/C tuning (CGBD), I tend to get a pain in my left hand sort of at the base of my thumb, and it makes it kind of painful to play. It mostly happens with the major and minor bar chord form. I was wondering besides using a different tuning or not using the bar chord forms in C tuning, what can I do to avoid this pain.
Well, you could try this. One of the causes is often lack of independence of finger movements - the other fingers collapse slightly to support the bar chord. And thumb placement is important. Steve Caddick did a video on left-hand movements on a tenor, which is useful for plectrum playing as well. But here's my video:
I get the same pain after too many barre chords in a practice session... I wager it is a: applying pressure incorrectly/too much? or b: needing to build up what endurance one can in that region. I don't have a formal teacher, so I am just guessing based off my own hand cramps (also at times in the back of my hand when shifting). I just stop when that occurs... no point in "pushing past the pain" when it comes to your hands.
The best I have came up with was changing the action that allowed me to barre with a far lighter touch while maintaining clarity. Also, as a gift, I received a Grip Master hand exerciser that has individual finger tension springs. Since I have been using it the past couple weeks, the pain in my hand has not occurred that often (I actually can't remember getting cramps since I have been using it, but I have brain "cramps" too - lol )... could be coincidence, or due to the sweeter action I am currently using, or possibly related to the grip endurance, perhaps a combination?
But that has been my experience at least, for what it's worth.
In a different vein, potassium is a good cramps preventative. Foods high in potassium include bananas as well as some dried fruits such as apricots, raisins, dates, and figs. For what it's worth I eat a banana every day (not because I'm worried about cramps, I just like them!) and I don't get cramps. Of course I'm also not prematurely grey, don't have acne and don't get into car accidents, and I'm not clear that the banana-a-day regime impacts those conditions . . .
Best of luck. Rob's exercises look good and are likely worthwhile, cramps or no. Of course you have to ask: is =he= prematurely grey?!
My fretting hand cramps for about the first 10 minutes I play - after that everything loosens up and I'm good for hours... only after a 3hr gig, I can't feel my fretting hand thumb for a day or 2. It goes completely numb. I have plenty of dexterity, it just goes numb for a day. Probably can't be good.
yeah, I've taken to playing for 15-20 minutes at home before a gig and I'm fine - the numbness though - that happens no matter what. I'm not sure if I'm doing any permanent nerve damage or not.
One of the the secrets behind avoiding left hand cramps - especially when playing a high string tension instrument - is to shift between various grips - sometimes in a drastic way - sometimes with only small variations.
One of the the secrets behind avoiding left hand cramps - especially when playing a high string tension instrument - is to shift between various grips - sometimes in a drastic way - sometimes with only small variations.
Yes. I just realized this during the past week with my mandolin playing. Thanks for confirming it.
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