Avoiding Tension and Sore Muscles

Are you supposed to be in pain when you play?

I get that question a lot, and while your fingers may get sore and your hands may be tired in the beginning, being in pain usually has to do with a mechanical problem. Let's look at some of the reasons you could be experiencing unnecessary pain or soreness.

Where do you practice, and where is your music?

I've had students tell me they practice in a recliner, sitting on the edge of the bed, or on a nice, comfy couch. So where do you put the music? "On the floor, on the coffee table, or on the side of the bed." A basic music stand costs about $15, go get one now! Set it up where there's plenty of light, get yourself a nice chair with no arms, and practice in a room where there are no distractions. One banjo student even told me he practiced with the radio on the background, tuned to a station that had nothing to do with banjos or bluegrass music.

Relax your picking hand.

Beginning guitar students tend to hold the pick tightly so they don't drop it. You need to hold it tight enough so that it doesn't wriggle around, but no so it feels like you're making a fist or squeezing it. A medium gauge pick is probably a good choice, but picks are cheap, buy some different thicknesses, sizes and shapes. I use Jim Dunlop nylon picks with little bumps on them to keep them from spinning around or feeling slick. This is really important if you play outside in hot, humid conditions.

The fretting hand can relax as well.

When you first start learning you do have to hold the strings down using a lot of pressure, but as your fingers toughen up you don't have to push so hard. My students tell me it doesn't look like I'm pushing that hard and that's because I'm not. Yes, there are certain chords and fingerings that require more pressure, but it's not as bad as you think.

Sit up straight and hold the guitar correctly.

Again, this eases tension and makes it less difficult to get nice, clear notes and chords. If you're not sure how to sit, there are pictures and descriptions in almost any guitar instruction book or on the internet. Have your guitar teacher help you sit and hold the guitar correctly, you'll be amazed at what a difference it makes.