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Fingers will not arch no matter what I do

#81
themickster said:
Straight fingers are the same as bent backs. Got it. Playing bass is the same as power lifting. Got that too. Let's deepen our friend's worry shall we? You're right, though. I saw a bass player's fingers fall off last night, after he let them straighten for a few seconds.
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I know plenty of long-time musicians who have serious health issues or required surgery due to the strain an instrument puts on your body.

I have friends who have played 40+ years without surgery, and some punk rock buddies who said "I don't need no stinkin' technique, this is about ROCK AND ROLL!!!" and wound up needing wrist surgery in their 20's.

It's not about scaring someone. It's about the reality that the motions of playing an instrument have an effect on your body, and poor technique can absolutely lead to health problems if not corrected. It's also monumentally easier to address technique issues when you're new, than after you've played for 10 years, develop tendon issues, and have to relearn the instrument to mitigate the damage you've already done.
 
#82
DavidEdenAria said:
Where i have an issue is my thumb on my fretting hand....you do not want the thumb to be applying too much pressure and it should move easily....however, i cant always keep the thumb 'behind the neck properly' at times because of continuing pain and numbness in the thumb.

I see lots of bass players wrap the fretting hand thumb 'over the edge' instead of keeping it behind the neck....i cannot do this and it seems it is not ideal.
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Where to place the thumb often causes lot of confusion. While wrapping the thumb over the edge/top of the neck certainly is not ideal, it is not going to cause potential injury. In certain situations, like playing in the same area of the neck for longer periods, I don't see why not.

Basically the thumb should be allowed to go wherever it needs to, in order to support the fingers.
 
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#85
Regarding finger/hand strength gadgets: While I fully agree it is not helpful or desirable to use such gadgets for developing technique for playing musical instruments (Schumann famously ruined himself as a piano player inventing and promoting a gadget), such things may have uses for some people. Basically, stretching and building strength in your small muscles can reduce pain and the delay the onset of repetitive stress injuries. Now, if all you do is play guitar, then your guitar playing muscles are probably strong enough to play guitar without problems - BUT, some people do things with their hands other than play guitar, and if they develop pain or injury in their hands due to lack of strength or stretching while doing these other activities, then it may effect their ability to play guitar comfortably. Just something to keep in mind before we all go overboard on criticizing such things, where there may be room for such things in other people's personal health routines (and, I repeat, I do not like or promote any such gadgets).
 
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