Been playing for a bit, but my hands cramp up real bad. Any tips?
Try lighter strings and make sure your guitar is set up properly. You don’t need a death grip to get a clean note—use just enough pressure. Check your posture too, not just your hands but your whole body. And don’t forget to stretch, massage, and use heat when needed.
@Skyler
Appreciate it! Gonna give those a shot.
Tuning down to E-flat can make a difference. Strings will be a bit looser, which helps with hand strain. If you sing along, it might suit your voice better too. You can still play standard E songs—just gotta adjust a little.
@Kim
Great tip. Also, a capo can help in some situations. I use a good one, makes life easier!
@Kim
Love singing, even if I probably shouldn’t! Gonna try this, thanks!
Been doing stretch pentatonic licks, and man, they hurt! Ice packs help, even mid-practice.
Ollie said:
Been doing stretch pentatonic licks, and man, they hurt! Ice packs help, even mid-practice.
Had to look that up… that looks tough! Definitely gonna give it a shot!
Ollie said:
Been doing stretch pentatonic licks, and man, they hurt! Ice packs help, even mid-practice.
Had to look that up… that looks tough! Definitely gonna give it a shot!
Don’t ice just to numb pain so you can keep playing. If it hurts, stop and rest. Pain means something is off, maybe posture or form. Fix that first, don’t just mask the issue.
Breaks help. Instead of one long session, try splitting it up. 30 minutes? Do two 15-minute sessions, or three 10-minute ones with rest in between.
Adrian said:
Breaks help. Instead of one long session, try splitting it up. 30 minutes? Do two 15-minute sessions, or three 10-minute ones with rest in between.
Been doing three 20-minute sessions daily. Hoping it gets easier with time. Thanks!
@Eli
Your hands are adjusting, like any muscle doing something new. And yeah, getting older means random aches just become normal. My knee’s been hurting for 15 years, wouldn’t know what to do if it stopped!
@Adrian
Some days, everything hurts…
I hear you. But honestly, playing guitar daily helps with aches and even boosts mood. Just keep at it!
Start slow. Do a daily 20-minute warm-up focusing on 2, 3, and 4-finger exercises. Play at 60 BPM, prioritize precision and relaxation. Your hands will get stronger over time.
Wynn said:
Start slow. Do a daily 20-minute warm-up focusing on 2, 3, and 4-finger exercises. Play at 60 BPM, prioritize precision and relaxation. Your hands will get stronger over time.
I rush too much… gotta slow it down. Thanks!
Started playing at 50, and my arthritis makes things tricky. Stretching before and after practice has helped a lot.
Tatum said:
Started playing at 50, and my arthritis makes things tricky. Stretching before and after practice has helped a lot.
Makes sense, just like with exercise. Stretching matters!
@Eli
Got my wife a heated hand massager, and I keep stealing it. Helps a ton! Hope things get easier for you!
How big is your guitar neck? Some older players find fatter necks easier on the hands.