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Topic: Bar Hand Cramps |
Lonnie Terry
From:
Penticton B.C. Canada
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Posted 5 Jan 2012 8:49 am |
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| After playing for about 45 minuets I get bad cramping in my bar hand ,I have tryed 7/ 8 and 3/4 bars any sugestions welcome |
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Lane Gray
From:
Topeka, KS
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Posted 5 Jan 2012 9:05 am
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Dollars to doughnuts your guitar sits too high.
You should have a flat line across the top of your forearm through your wrist to the top of your hand. If you have a crest or a dip at your wrist, you put tendons and nerves in a bind.
Been There, Done That.
_________________
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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Clete Ritta
From:
San Antonio, Texas
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Posted 5 Jan 2012 2:05 pm
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I had the same issue when I started. It wasnt steel height for me (if anything the guitar was too low), but Lanes suggestion should certainly be considered and addressed. Besides position and posture, part of it is also moderation. If you play hard nonstop for 45 minutes (as the steel guitar will often inspire us to do), you may get fatigued, especially if you are just starting. The hand muscles are just not conditioned to the exercise yet. Make a fist, stretch and shake the hand out every so often to relax it.
I had left hand nerve damage years ago that cropped up as a numbness after long periods of practice initially. I switched to a 12 string bar which is bigger and heavier and that helped a great deal, but even with a normal 10 string bar it doesnt bother me so it does get easier.
Keep pickin' and grinnin' 
Clete |
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Ray Anderson
From:
Jenkins, Kentucky USA
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Posted 5 Jan 2012 2:22 pm Hand cramps
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Been There; Started using a 1" bar and that helped, but not completely. Mine was dehydration: problem solved with good ole Gatorade ( coffee is just not enough).   |
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Dale Hansen
From:
Hendersonville,Tennessee, (USA)
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Posted 5 Jan 2012 5:32 pm
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Ray has a very good point. I'm more prone to De-hydration in the colder winter months. This year, for the first time, I've been having some cramping in my bar hand, too.
This week, I just simply 'toughed it out' until it quit bothering me. Gatorade, and an aspirin a few minutes beforehand, might be a good idea, though.
DH
_________________
Bessdang Gizmos - "An Equal Opportunity Annoyer" |
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Bob Hoffnar
From:
Austin, Tx
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Posted 5 Jan 2012 8:44 pm
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You might be gripping the bar too hard. The bar should feel like its floating and your hand is just guiding it. Like how violin player holds the bow. Relaxed yet firm.
Hard to describe. I had that problem for a while. Joe Wright and Buddy Charleton really got on me about it.
_________________
Bob |
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Dan Beller-McKenna
From:
Durham, New Hampshire, USA
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Posted 6 Jan 2012 4:32 am
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Funny,
I noticed this week that I am gripping the bar too hard. Pushing down too hard on the strings, actually. Not sure where this came from; I usually keep a very relaxed bar hand. i also noticed yesterday that i was feeling pretty dehydrated..... Hmmmmm....
Richard, you just aren't drinking enough coffee. Mmmmmmm.....Coffee: my drug of choice.
Dan |
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