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Topic: Sore right elbow from picking? |
Jim Hoke
From:
Tennessee, USA
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Posted 27 Dec 2011 11:59 am |
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| Anybody had problems with a sore right elbow from picking? Guitar players seem to get it in the left hand, not the right, if it's a tendon problem. Those muscles are connected to the elbow, via tendons, or something like that I think. Thoughts? |
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Fred Glave
From:
McHenry, Illinois, USA
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Posted 27 Dec 2011 12:47 pm
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You must be talking about me. Stretch. Take breaks. Rest. Overplaying is easy to let happen. If I don't keep track of time, I can play for hours at a time without rest. Then, right elbow ouch.
_________________
Zum Encore, Zum Stage One, Fender 2000, Harlan Bros., Multi-Kord, |
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John Billings
From:
Ohio, USA
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Posted 27 Dec 2011 4:14 pm
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Jim,
I'm thinking posture and position when I read your post. It's important that your guitar is at the right height. That your seat is at the right height,,,, and in the right position. I'm 6'2" and have none of these problems. My right elbow just lightly brushes my ribcage. It's completely relaxed. The muscles that control my elbow are in complete neutral. They're not involved at all.
Last edited by John Billings on 28 Dec 2011 5:32 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Fred Glave
From:
McHenry, Illinois, USA
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Posted 27 Dec 2011 4:56 pm
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John, wrap your left hand around your right forearm high up near your elbow. Then open and close your right fist. You can feel the muscles and tendons constrict and relax. If you play too long at a time, it's possible to develop repetitive motion problems. Not all tennis players get tennis elbow, but the term had to come from somewhere.
_________________
Zum Encore, Zum Stage One, Fender 2000, Harlan Bros., Multi-Kord, |
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Ron Pruter
From:
Arizona, USA
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Posted 27 Dec 2011 9:13 pm
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Jim,
I don't know your situation but, If you are playing a Single neck, maybe playing an SD-10 would give you some support. (A resting pad) Ron
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Emmons SKH Le Grande, '73 Fender P/J bass, Tick tack bass, Regal high strung, USA Nashville 112. |
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Jim Cohen
From:
Philadelphia, PA
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Posted 27 Dec 2011 9:55 pm
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I have been developing this problem too, but as a result of many hours of practicing standard guitar, not steel guitar. So maybe it's from the other instruments you play, Jim?
Best wishes,
Jim
_________________
www.JimCohen.com
www.RonstadtRevue.com
www.BeatsWalkin.com |
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Lane Gray
From:
Topeka, KS
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Posted 27 Dec 2011 11:52 pm
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I'll second the "you got yer ergonomics all wrong
_________________
2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects |
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Jim Hoke
From:
Tennessee, USA
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Posted 28 Dec 2011 5:52 am Sore right elbow from picking?
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| Thanks for the replies. Jim, this is recent so I doubt it's sax. I'm playing a D-10, Ron, so I'm thinking maybe I'm sitting too low. My elbow doesn't hang straight down; it's out a tad. I rubbed it a bunch yesterday and that seems to help. I'll take your advice Fred, also. It probably has something to do with being an ageing boomer. Taking up steel at this point in life, after playing harmonica, clarinet, etc. in my youth is all back-ass-wards. Oh well..... |
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Doug Garrick
From:
Grand Junction, CO
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Posted 28 Dec 2011 6:16 am
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| Jim, I had that same problem until I went with an adjustable seat and got my elbow up even with the top of the guitar. (note Lane Gray's avatar - his right arm position looks perfect in that picture) |
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Lane Gray
From:
Topeka, KS
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Posted 28 Dec 2011 6:19 am
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You don't say where in Tennessee, but you should be able to find a vet to give you pointers. This instrument should hurt your brain, not your body.
_________________
2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects |
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Jim Hoke
From:
Tennessee, USA
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Posted 28 Dec 2011 7:12 am
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| Yer right. For as little attention as steelers ever get onstage, we should at least be compensated with freedom from pain. Let those prancing guitar players get the knee surgeries and wrist operations. At least they'll have lotsa chicks to ease their recovery. |
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Fred Glave
From:
McHenry, Illinois, USA
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Posted 28 Dec 2011 8:23 am
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None of us are built the same or have the same histories or situations. For example I played baseball growing up and in college and developed tendonitis in my right arm and elbow from pitching. I also play 6 string. My son is in little leaque and I coach, so I still have to throw the ball quite a bit. So I am more prone to developing soreness in my elbow. My posture at the steel is fine according to all the advice I've recieved over the years. Maybe I slouch a little, but my arm hangs correctly and my height is correct. My symptoms develop when I have several extended sessions of 2-3 hours at a time without a break. But then again, my rear end also gets a little tired after those long sessions too! 
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Zum Encore, Zum Stage One, Fender 2000, Harlan Bros., Multi-Kord, |
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Lane Gray
From:
Topeka, KS
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Posted 28 Dec 2011 10:38 am
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I'm curious: has any of us consulted with a sports medicine/chiropractor to see whether a couple generations of accumulated wisdom re: posture/ergonomics actually has it correct?
Couldn't help but wonder
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2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects |
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Adair Torres
From:
Sao Paulo, Brazil
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Posted 3 Jan 2012 7:16 pm
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Hey Jim.
You must be talking about me too.
The doctor said this pain I feel is tendinitis or epicondylitis. I am in treatment. The pain is unbearable. 
_________________
Adair Torres - Boss at TowerS Steel Guitars
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Zum D10 8X7 Wineberry 2010.
Emmons SD10 3X8 Black 1994.
Derby D10 8X8 Rosewood 2008.
TowerS SD10 3X5 Imbuia Mica Finish 2018 |
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Ariel Lobos
From:
Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Posted 3 Jan 2012 7:26 pm
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Yes , I had this problem too, it's a bad posture , i have to do 45 minutes of exercises by day to fight it and works, yoga-karate elongation mixed by a good Doctor here...check if your shoulders are up when you play , that's a good way to test bad posture and tension.
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ShoBud The Professional 72.Emmons PP D10 83. Fender Stringmaster, triple neck. 1927 Weissenborn style 1. Fender Twin Reverb 77. Fender Princeton Reverb 78. |
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Bob Hoffnar
From:
Austin, Tx
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Posted 3 Jan 2012 9:12 pm
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I had that problem myself so whatever you do don't try and play through it and ignore the pain. You can cause yourself some very big problems. Nerve damage is serious and not to be trifled with. I was on the road and got some very good advice from doctors and physical trainers that saved me. The pain was unbelievable and it was a big hassle getting better but I did. Don't let it go as far as I did. Big Mistake.
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Bob |
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Erv Niehaus
From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
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Posted 4 Jan 2012 9:42 am
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You might try using your fingers instead of your elbow.
At one time I played by ear but found out the fingers work best.  |
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