finger pain

[jsingles]

So I joined a new band about a week ago, and the material is heavier and faster than anything I have played before. We have been practicing every night for about 3 hours at a time, and it was going fine for the first few days, but now the lower halves of my plucking fingers (I use 2) are aching. It feels almost like a bruise. I am worried because we have our first show on saturday, and if my fingers are still sore on saturday, then my playing will deteriorate very quickly. I am also supposed to practice tonight and tomorrow night as well! Is there something I can do to get around these aching fingers? is the a totally normal phenomenon for people who are starting to play heavy stuff?

[smogg]

I have this problem on occasion, it seems to stem from too heavy of an attack. You are probably over doing it. Pain is bad. Either lighten your attack or maybe try using a pick to give your fingers a rest when they start to hurt. Just adjust your tone and volume to compensate.

[markkoelsch]

I would tell them you need a day off. Ice your fingers when you are done playing for a 20 minutes or so. Then do it every 2-3 hours for a few days.

That is a lot of really fast playing, and you need to pay attention to your fingers. Jumping into that amount of playing is like jumping into football practice without having spent a bunch of time over the summer working out hard. I know you have a show, so you might have to suck it up until then, but take a few days off afterwards, and then cut back on rehearsals to a few a week.

[standupright]

pluck lighter. run your pups hotter. let your pups and amp do the work.

[quale213]

as much as i hate to agree, a pick may be the way to go. I know when I first started with my current band, i had very similar problems. i turned the gain up a bit and just played softer. Also, are u playing by the bridge or neck? try moving to the neck if u are playing on the bridge, as the neck has less tension. Hope this helps a little

[4bpauly]

i used to rehearse in a heavy band about 3 days a week.. i never had problems, except when i played shows, i would get blisters after a 45 minute set

there are a few things to do:

- take a night off
- ice your fingers
- put a little krazy glue on your fingers, it will take some of the pain away and also adds a little bit of click if you do it right.
- tell your guitar players/vocals/drummer to turn down and hit a little lighter during rehearsal... heavy music is great and it is good to play with intensity, but save the crushing volume for the shows

[jsingles]

thanks guys, i was thinking i might still rehearse for the show but just use a pick...

yes i have been going crazy over the bridge pickup, and i probably shouldnt...
hopefully the pain subsides before saturday. thanks for the advice