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Topic: practice is becoming a pain the wrist |
Don Ciomei
From:
Georgia, USA
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Posted 25 Jul 2005 7:48 am |
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I'm retired AT&T and have been playing
the lap steel around three years. I've
developed an annoying pain in my wrist
and into the forarms. I think the steel
I use is cheap, I don't know where it
came from, It's a bullet nose of average
weight. Does anyone have any suggestions
on a good tone bar that may help.
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Keith Cordell
From:
San Diego
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Posted 25 Jul 2005 8:05 am
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I use the Lap Dawg, when I need a Stevens type steel. I use one of the leaded glass bars for round nosed apps; you don't have to hold on like with the metal ones, it sticks to your fingers. Might want to check with your doctor to see if you are developing Carpal-Tunnel Syndrome... there are ways to relieve the pain with exercise and meds.
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GFI s10, Georgeboards 8 string, National D8,Silvertone U-1 goldtop, Peavey Delta Blues, Goodrich H10K VP, Boss Vwah, Line6 DL4 delay, Jacques Bat Fuzz, Dunlop Lap Dawg bar
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Ian Finlay
From:
Kenton, UK
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Posted 25 Jul 2005 1:58 pm
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I find the height of the steel relative to my chair is critical for this. A few inches to low on the seat and I'm in pain after a few minutes. I got a QuickLok padded portable piano bench - played an hour last night with no problems.
Ian |
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Don Kona Woods
From:
Hawaiian Kama'aina
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Posted 25 Jul 2005 2:21 pm
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| Quote: |
| "practice is becoming a pain in the wrist" |
REMEMBER THAT PRACTICE ALSO HELPS ONE NOT TO BE A PAIN IN THE BUTT TO OTHERS. 
Now on a more helpful note: Above suggestions are good and I would slant the guitar away from you, so that your wrist does not bend.
Keep on listening, there will be plenty of other good tips from SGF members.
Aloha,
Don[This message was edited by Don Kona Woods on 25 July 2005 at 03:54 PM.] |
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John Pelz
From:
Kettering, Ohio, USA
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Posted 25 Jul 2005 8:16 pm
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I don't have any first-hand knowledge to share on this, but you might want to try searching through the various Steel Guitar Forum archives, Don -- might be some helpful information there.
I just did a quick search of the "No Peddlers" section, using the search-term "wrist," and some possibly relevant threads (titled "carpal tunnel," "tendonitis," "guitar angle on lap?" and the like) turned up. A better-chosen search-term might turn up even better results.
Also Don, this thread reminded me of an excellent Hawaiian Steel Guitar Ass'n. article by Lorene Ruymar and John Ely, dealing with injury prevention (related to practice & playing of the steel), and how proper posture, technique, and such can prevent injury. Hopefully some of that info may be of help to you.
~~Edited to add~~
Oh, and Keith's recommendation above (to see your doctor) is a good one. I had a pinched ulnar nerve in my left arm some years ago, which was causing tingling in parts of my left hand. The doc did his thing, and, with physical therapy, that arm and hand are now fully usable & tingle-free. There are ways of working around these injuries, if that's what this turns out to be. (Hopefully it isn't!)[This message was edited by John Pelz on 25 July 2005 at 09:24 PM.] |
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Alan Kirk
From:
Scotia, CA, USA
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Posted 26 Jul 2005 5:20 am
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Stretch before playing. Take lots of breaks and stretch at each one. When you feel pain, STOP! Practicing is not a macho contest.
Most doctors don't know how to deal with musical instrument-related injuries. Orthopedists have more experience with it.
Some people are more susceptible to these types of injuries than others because of their bone and muscle structure.
As others noted above, make sure you are sitting in an ergonomically correct position: Sit up straight, elbows bent naturally at your sides (not too high, not too low), keep wrists as straight as possible.
I have a problem with my left elbow, which is irritated by picking up the bar and moving it. Consider rigging a bar holder for your left hand so you don't have to constantly squeeze it.
Take care of yourself.[This message was edited by Alan Kirk on 26 July 2005 at 06:22 AM.] |
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