Bar hand pain

Richard Tague · From: Cowden, Illinois, USA

Being new to learning the psg (about 3 weeks into it), I'm having pains in my bar hand. Specifically, the thumb muscle and the tendon. Is this common? Am I using the "wrong" grip on the bar? Will a different size bar help? Or should I just suck it up and get strong. I understand that I'm using muscles that are not use to being used. But...

I'm currently using an Emmons 7/8" x 3 5/16" bullet shaped bar, that weighs 8.7oz. ((Maybe called a "12 string bar" Question

)

Typically, I'll "play" (and being new, I use the term Play very loosely Embarassed

) for about 1 to 1 1/2hrs daily, mainly learning grips, easier ways to transition from chords, etc., finishing up running thru a 1/2 dozens classic country tunes.

I've played bass for 30+ years, so Yes, I do have a fair amount of arthritis in my left hand. But, nothing 2 Aleve an hour before showtime won't take care of.

Donny Hinson · From: Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.

It could be just due to your own physiology and ailments, but I would rather suspect you are gripping the bar too tightly, or pressing it down too hard, or both. The bar hand should be very relaxed, and the bar should only be held tightly enough to make good contact with the strings and to keep from continually dropping it. Wink

Tom Gorr · From: Three Hills, Alberta

One of the more interesting tidbits on barhand posture I've seen is in the Zane King free lesson(s) video's on youtube....That one got me trying out different bar grips.

Daniel Policarpo · Posted 5 Feb 2014 7:56 pm

I had some discomfort in my bar hand after the first few weeks, too. It will go away when you find the right technique that fits your hand. I studied a lot of players and came away with a pretty decent thing where at least my hand hasn't gotten sore at me since, and I can keep the bar straight to the frets and give a little hula-wiggle now and then.

chris ivey · From: california (deceased)

what donny said!
those are the areas on my hands that act up from time to time also from all the stuff i've done in my life. relax that hand as much as possible.....and as my mom (who haid pretty bad arthritis) said,just keep moving your fingers when you can.

Richard Tague · From: Cowden, Illinois, USA

Thanks, guys.

I did watch one of Zane's video, where he talks about uaing the weight of his arm vs pushing.

Maybe I just need to toughen up. lol

Thanks again,
Rich

Wayne Neal · From: Ohio, USA

Annother thing to look at is how you are sitting behind the steel...I find if for some reason I get "twisted" too far one way or the other it causes my wrist to be at an odd angle and my hand starts to hurt.

I had surgery on both wrists last year. (My hands hurt so bad I was dropping picks and could'nt feel strings.) And bar hand pain still happens to me on occasion. Oh Well

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Lane Gray · From: Topeka, KS

You'll have carpal tunnel issues (especially thumb tendons) if your wrist either humps or dips going from arm to hand.
Adjust guitar height so that the transition is straight.
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Jack Aldrich · From: Washington, USA

Learned from Alan Akaka (from Jerry Byrd)- the bar should rest on the strings, and the right hand should just position it, not lift it. Pick lightly, and compensate by turning up the volume. There is NO pain in either hand from this technique. As I recall, Jeff Newman told me the same thing, but I didn't listen that well. - Jack
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Dave Campbell · From: Nova Scotia, Canada

i had the same problem up until a few months ago. there's a lot to think about when starting out, and i think i was just tense.

Norbert Dengler · From: germany

don`t worry, that`s normal, i always have it when i didn`t play for a couple of days but it disappears after a while.
Smile

James Taylor · From: United Kingdom

I feal lane is right as I had problems , but when I adjusted the seat all was much more comfortable and easier on the hand .JAMES TAYLOR

Ian Rae · From: Redditch, England

I'm always wary of repetitive-strain type conditions, and it strikes me that while everything that's been said so far about relaxation and seat height is absolutely true, there's no escaping the fact that to keep the bar straight, the wrist has to pivot in the horizontal plane. There may be one fret somewhere down the nut end where it's straight, otherwise it's going to be bent. I find if I practise for long periods above the 12th fret (which I have to if I'm ever going to be accurate up there) I do feel it a bit. I suspect moderation is the only answer.
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