frethand issues

[The_Active_Conundrum]

So I've started practicing again. Harder like I used to. Instead of none like since I started GASing over fuzz and modulation pedals (thanks guys).

But selling most of my gear and getting back to more "basic" stuff, I realize wow I suck at this instrument now.

So I decide I need to fix it. So here I am wigglin scales and chords and learning songs again.

My fret hand thumb keeps being stiff, the joint "crack"s a lot when I bend it and the fucker hurts. It isn't so much as to be agony, but its enough to get me thinking- because I don't remember going through a pain phase like this when I started. And I don't Think I'm using any weird tension.

so its like
-practice a run
-feel stiff
-bend
-POP!
-yikeswtf
-repeat
-shit this can't be normal.

Anyone have any weird body junk that goes on? Or am I doomed/alone? also- how do you fix your quirks/ticks/problems?

[The_Active_Conundrum]

are you saying you actively straighten out and then bend your thumb over and over again as you pick?

Nah, that's silly.

My thumb stays straight-ish but then starts feeling stiff and wonky and since I'm not like....performing or anything, I can pause and full bend and it POPs.

it also happens kinda regular through the day, but moreso now I'm playing guitar more and with absurd frequency during guitar time. like its farcical.

[Eivind August]

Step 1: Masturbate a lot.
There is no step 2.

[goroth]

i'll steal this thread and ask;

how the fuck do people downstroke slayer/metallica fast for such lengths of time?

I still can't play master of puppets without getting the pump, and i've know that song for like 7 years. Sometimes I just get lazy and play it with alternating picks (talking verse) but it ain't the same thing.

Same boat for me duder!

[tremulant]

i have had some similar issues with my technique. I got my degree in classical guitar, and after i was finished i started adapting it's technique to electric.

a few things need to be taken into consideration:

-how low/high do you wear your instrument?
-taking extra care to try and play with as straight of a wrist as possible - one way to enable it is to bring your elbow out on your fret hand.
-any time you feel a pop of something clearly not doing what it's supposed to be doing, stop! tendons don't beef up like muscles do, so anytime you do the repeat part of it, it's ultimately detrimental to the greater good. that part can be really frustrating because in my case, i have one double jointed thumb on my left hand, so holding any barre chord for more than 30 seconds WRECKS my hand and it only got worse throughout the night. having to stop after no time at all on the clock essentially before my hand starts hurting was cutting into my bands practice time, whatever. here we are


and while a change of technique is ultimately the road that should be traveled, a band aid along the way helps from time to time:

http://www.allivet.com/p-584-absorbine- ... t-gel.aspx

that shit is phenomenal. it's intended for horses, but to apply it to a horse you need to put it on your hands anyways; its completely safe for humans to use. it feels like you put an altoid on wherever you apply it. but anytime i use it any sort of tendon/joint problem i'm having gets shelved for a few weeks before i feel any pain again. a little goes a long way.