bcampbe5 - Posted - 03/06/2007:  14:51:18

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I'm looking for some feedback from anyone who has used the "gripmaster". The claim is it improves strength,coordination, and speed in your hand.

For anyone who has used it; has it helped in these areas?

Thanks for any info.

Daniel D. Tedder - Posted - 03/06/2007:  16:32:38

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Never used that one, so I can't comment.
I do have an Ivanko Supper Gripper which I will highly recommend to anyone.

I think the best way to improve your hands for the banjo is by pickin' a lot. Practice till yer hands cramp, rest, repeat.

Texasbanjo - Posted - 03/06/2007:  17:03:09

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Several years ago my husband had hand surgery and all they gave him for physical therapy was a star shaped rubber "ball" (for lack of a better word) to squeeze to help get back strength and coordination. (He plays the dobro and bass, so he NEEDS good hands). He diligently squeezed that contraption until it was almost completely used up -- but it DID help his hand and the hand is now completely usable. So....... I guess what I'm tryingto say is: don't spend your money on something like the gripmaster when you can buy a rubber ball and squeeze it and get the same thing for lots less money.


Let's Pick!
Texas Banjo

Daniel D. Tedder - Posted - 03/06/2007:  17:07:26

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...a tennis ball or lump of clay will work also.

BANJ58 - Posted - 03/06/2007:  18:21:21

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Hello
I use a racket ball. Hold it between the thumb and the finger tips. squeeze and release until you cant. Then just squeeze and hold as long as you can.
Also, Chineze Health Balls work good.

ITS ALL GOOD IF YOU MAKE IT THAT WAY

STEVE@WVRVPARK.COM
http://WWW.WVRVPARK.COM

ALL PICKERS WELCOME, LETS JAM !!

The Pope - Posted - 03/07/2007:  06:17:15

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I use a Gripmaster whenever I think of it. I don't know if it does any good but I don't think it will hurt either!

The Pope

“You let the Blue Grass Music in your mind.”

Bill Monroe

Stev187 - Posted - 03/07/2007:  07:48:36

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I posted this as a comment on Brad's blog. Take my comments with a grain of salt. I used to sell these at a music store. I think they are a waste of time. Here's why:

1. For fingers, you don't necessarily want strength, but economy of motion, i.e. just the right amount of strength to sound the note and no more
2. The motion on the machine is nothing like what you actually do on the banjo
3. Your time would be better spent doing some exercises on your actualy instrument (always musically--never play without a pulse or sense of music)
4. You could injure yourself; musical injury comes from artificial and repetitive motion. If you don't injure your fingers, it's more likely you'll injure the tendons in your arm (carpal tunnel, cubital tunnel). This will bum you out beyond measure.
5. If you want to work on coordination and independent finger motion, just try to isolate patterns on a table or desk top WITHOUT using strain
6. You might "crosstrain" instead of using the machine; try to learn some scales on the piano or guitar. Piano scales are actually great, and any musician can benefit from keyboard time. Pick out triads by ear and test yourself on intervals

Can you tell I don't like the Gripmaster?

If you buy one, do so here:

http://elderly.com/accessories/items/GRIP.htm


Steve
Flint, MI

AD3AD3AD3 - Posted - 03/07/2007:  08:00:32

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The series of points made by Stev187 are all good ones. However, it sounds like you want somethinng that yu can keep in your pociet from time to time during the day, when you presumably don't have the option of actually picking banjo. If this is the case, a little light workout for a few minutes at a time shouldn't hurt and may help. I'f only used the balls and squeeze sacks, never a Gripmaster, so I can't speak directly to the issue of that brand. Truthfully, playing banjo everyday will increase your finger strength and dexterity without the need for extraneous devices although you might benefit from regular gym workouts to build up your upper body strength 'cause banjos are heavy.

AD3

gottasmilealot - Posted - 03/07/2007:  10:12:23

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Just practice and play. That will develop both your muscles and coordination. The world is full of gimmicks to part you with your money.

Keith

GP4 Tom - Posted - 03/07/2007:  12:53:35

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quote:

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Originally posted by gottasmilealot

Just practice and play. That will develop both your muscles and coordination. The world is full of gimmicks to part you with your money.

Keith

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Ditto to that Keith!

Finger muscle training is a part of learning the banjo. You're not trying to crack walnuts here, so spend your time doing scales or something productive on your banjo, it's a lot more fun than a rubber ball.

(don't get me wrong nothing wrong with rubber balls or other devices, especially situations like in the case of Sherry's husbands recovery)

Have Fun
Tom

boyratchet - Posted - 03/07/2007:  13:00:29

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If you look at the way the hand holds and the fingers squeeze the "Gripmaster" (I have my brother's that he bought 20 years ago), you will notice that it isn't exactly the way you hold the banjo neck and press down on the strings. The get that little extra "umph", my hand tends to bend back at the wrist rather than forward (which is the way you would hold a banjo neck), so I came to the conclusion that you are not traning the hand properly. I think Stev187 is exactly right in all of his advice. the banjo is all you need to train you hand to fret the banjo.

That being said I have one heck of an exercise that meets most of Stev187's requirements (except for the strain) given to me by a guitar playing friend, who described his finger movements on the guitar as "controlled muscle spasms". The exercise is a killer, and I have never been able to keep it up, so I have only my friends word that it works. Fortunately somebody posted a video of him from some time back of him goofing off on the guitar.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=mkue90t64Us

He swears by the exercise...well, that and countless hours of obsessive practice, listening and reading. In any event I can send it to you.

bcampbe5 - Posted - 03/07/2007:  13:31:08

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Thank you all for the replies. They are appreciated!

I agree that playing is the best prescription. Unfortunately, like many folks, my picking time is somewhat limited. So I need to try and find another means to regain my coordination/strength.

It's all very frustrating because you get accustomed to playing at a certain level and when you experience a set back, you question whether or not you'll be able to "get it back:"

I'm going to give the racket ball a whirl and see how that works.

Thanks again Everyone for the input!!

rstieg - Posted - 03/07/2007:  14:13:07

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Another option that may work better is something called "exercise putty". And it's a lot more fun! I have some, but never used it regularly. I hear it can be very helpful, however. Amazon sells several varieties (progressively harder to squeeze) and you could find others by searching on Google...

RICH
Pleasanton, CA

The truth is a moving target... perception is more important than reality... everything is relative...

GerhardP - Posted - 03/07/2007:  14:22:08

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Have you considered the 'Banjo Board':

http://www.hatfieldmusic.com/page6.html

You can use it in your car on the way to work if you sit in a traffic jam or at red lights (not while you drive though !). I really doubt anyone could lack the strength to pick the banjo, it's all about dexterity. Exercises for strength might achieve the exact opposite, your hand locking up instead of becoming loose. I know I can hardly play after using a screwdriver with force for a while.

Gerhard

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"Most bullet holes in banjos are a result of poor aim"
(Fretless Josh Saw in BNL July '02)

bcampbe5 - Posted - 03/07/2007:  15:52:30

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Thanks rstieg and GerhardP! I appreciate the info!

thkidd - Posted - 03/07/2007:  16:17:53

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I'm not sure if what I have is called the Gripmaster, but I think it is. It has individual buttons so you can exercise each finger separately, similar to fretting an instrument. It seems to help, although I will confess that I don't use it as much as I should. I also got the RuffCaps button covers that feel like strings under your finger. These are supposed to help build callouses. I keep it in the car and sometimes use it on highway trips.

"Measure your wealth not by the things you have, but by the things for which you would not take money."

jdmatthew - Posted - 03/08/2007:  00:10:22

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Someone gave me a gripmaster a year or so ago--I use it while I watch tv. Don't know if it has helped my picking but I sure can give a heck of a handshake!!

Jadie Matthew
Lampasas, Texas

Banjocoltrane - Posted - 03/08/2007:  11:52:45

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quote:

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Originally posted by Daniel D. Tedder

Never used that one, so I can't comment.
I do have an Ivanko Supper Gripper which I will highly recommend to anyone.

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Cool...i wonder if thats like these Crazy Ironmind grippers i have...if you can shut the #3 gripper you could probably crush someones hand into smithereens

Anyways, i dont think i'd use a gripmaster too often to help my picking...itll make your joints stronger, but I think eventually it would slow you down

KILL YOUR BANJO!!!!

axsis - Posted - 03/09/2007:  16:01:30

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I totally agree with Keith's reply on Gizmo's to take your money...I have been playin' 4 months..got a closet full of them.and even the dog won't stay in the same room with me when I practice.
For my dime..your money is best spent here.you folks are great!

"Mama Don't allow no Banjo pickers around here"!

2manyTaylors - Posted - 03/18/2007:  01:11:40

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Someone once wrote: "If you want to get in shape for running, RUN!" I would say, if you want to strengthen your hand for picking, PICK. I have a gripmaster or two around, but they don't necessarily work the picking muscles. They do improve grip strength, like several have said, are good for re-habbing an injury, or helping you shoot better!

"I'll fix it! Bring me a hammer and some duct tape."

Dr.Ken - Posted - 03/18/2007:  06:53:28

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Anyone remember that great movie with Charles Bronson and Jan Michael Vincent called "The Mechanic." It's got to be one of my favorite movies. Charles Bronson was a hit man who trained with a ball of wax, I think. His fingers were so strong he could break a glass with his little finger.

Worked for him!

Daniel D. Tedder - Posted - 03/18/2007:  12:22:37

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That movie creeps me out...the ball of wax part was kewl.

~"If your reading this, then it probably means I'm dead, and, that you've just tripped a 15 second timer. Bang, your dead".~

jdmatthew - Posted - 03/19/2007:  00:20:06

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Roger Clemens sticks his hand in a bucket of rice (dry) and moves his fingers around to help his hand and forearm strength. Obviously he's done something right, although I'm not sure you could attribute it all to rice.

Jadie Matthew
Lampasas, Texas