A Call for Help to Guitar Players

[Steph]

I've picked up my axe for the first time in many years, and fucking hell I've forgotten how to position my fingers properly. I feel like I'm going to get carpel tunnel playing this thing.

Can anybody give me some pointers on how to position my hand in such a way as to minimize repetitive strain injuries? Is there some kind of exercise I can to do re-train my hand muscles for the proper configuration?

[Cool09]

Are you letting the neck dive? Rest the guitar higher on your knee and keep the neck up. Use your thumb on the back of the neck to counter the pressure from your fingers.

For exercises... pentatonic scales? Play some easy songs that don't have wrist bending chords (do POWER CHORDS instead).

[Steph]

I'd forgotten all about my pentatonics. Thanks, I'll try what you've suggested.

[filingo]

i do the old 1234 1234 1234 on each string up and down and up again

as fast you can whilst maintaining good up/down picking

[Seamus]

common shit that gives people sore wrists - point your thumb straight down the neck rather than pointing up or anything. Also dont curl your pinky or ring under the fretboard ever, when ur not using em just keep em out the way in front of the board, dont curl that shit. Make sure your not putting loads of force into it either, the more delicate your touch the better (for your hand and the sound.)

[filingo]

dont agree with that comment on the thumb, it should be pointing upwards. you can point it towards the headstock if you are being lazy but the proper position should be straight up.

[Seamus]

Wierd, all my teachers have said to point it to the headstock. This is an electric, not nylon we're talkin about yeah? Could be different in those cases.

[filingo]

mate


that was harsh

[Nicho Void]

I dusted off my guitars a few months back when I picked up Rocksmith. I actually enjoyed it quite a bit and learned some new practice techniques. Worth checking out IMO.

[evil edna]

i wrap my thumb over the top of the neck when playing chords and probably pointing towards the headstock when playing lead, but i dont think ive ever really given it much thought

[Derpy Torrin]

I just press the buttons and flick the bar thing when the screen tells me.

[evil edna]

literally hitler

[filingo]

I just press the buttons and flick the bar thing when the screen tells me.

the fucking worst

[tHornton]

how do i get that funky soul sound

[Spaztick]

how do i get that funky soul sound

same thing as on the keyboard: for black people's music you use the black keys

(pentatonic scale)

[filingo]

you get a fucking boss wah wah pedal tbh

[Seamus]

get thick ass strings and scoop all the mid on your amps eq also

[Spaztick]

So how legitimate would it be to go on stage and perform naked. Would this be a good move or would it ruin your musical career.

[filingo]

So how legitimate would it be to go on stage and perform naked. Would this be a good move or would it ruin your musical career.

awful +1 attempt.

in an attempt to make the thread useful, what strings do fhc people enjoy?

personally i use ernie ball 10's, the ones in the yellow packets. the 9's sound puny and weak and i cba with electrical cable on my guitar so i've just stuck with 10's.

i tried some other strings ages ago but ernie balls just hit the spot for me, and i got a load of packets cheap so.. v0v

[Seamus]

used to use 13s and tapewound 14s, but after 6 months of playing i still hadnt got hard enough calluses for them so called it a day.
now using 8s (lol) to get this sound-

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