Hand/finger stretches

[Sponserv]

Can regular finger stretching exercises allow me to stretch across frets easier?

Conversely, is there any danger in manually grabbing a finger and stretching it?

I am not yet at the point that finger joint pain is creeping in. But I certainly do not want to hasten the inevitability.

What say you fellow "seasoned" players?

[Rev Roy]

Originally Posted by Sponserv

Can regular finger stretching exercises allow me to stretch across frets easier?

Conversely, is there any danger in manually grabbing a finger and stretching it?

I am not yet at the point that finger joint pain is creeping in. But I certainly do not want to hasten the inevitability.

What say you fellow "seasoned" players?

I didn’t start playing until I retired at 63. So I was concerned from the get-go about keeping my fingers limber as I launched into this late journey. I’ve been doing a version of these exercises pretty much from day one. Twice a day. Morning and evening. Seven years later I still have had no hand/finger issues. And I play for at least an hour (usually more) daily. Maybe they will help you too.

[lar]

Probably more than you need, but also ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1gGQD2Nw9O4&t=214s

https://www.seymourduncan.com/blog/t...for-guitarists

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPO-zST-7EE

and finally, from our own Silly

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMnrArFbkxU

Obviously, BE EXTREMELY GENTLE. I use a (one) finger to stretch another (one) finger, that way i can't overpower it, and I'm stretching and strengthening at the same time.

[Planemaker]

That guys “average” length fingers are at least 30% longer than mine between every joint !
Wishing mine were average

[Andyrondack]

Originally Posted by Sponserv

Can regular finger stretching exercises allow me to stretch across frets easier?

Conversely, is there any danger in manually grabbing a finger and stretching it?

I am not yet at the point that finger joint pain is creeping in. But I certainly do not want to hasten the inevitability.

What say you fellow "seasoned" players?

I doubt that you can emulate the finger/hand movements used when playing chords with one or two stretching exercises. If you have problems playing a particular chord shape then practice it with a capo on to shorten the scale and gradually move the capo toward the nut.

[Coler]

I think the best thing is to play guitar. Stretches etc are beneficial and especially when done during the course of actually playing. Andy gives great advice in terms of making the stretch achievable for you, then increasing difficulty as you make progress.

But it's good to know how to limber up and work out, especially at times during the day when you have nothing else to do so stretches certainly have a role.

[Jamolay]

Look at stretching as part of healthy maintenance of your muscles, ligaments and joints. Like any Althea’s, your hand and forearm are working hard and can be susceptible to injury and over use.

Stretching after working out does help prevent injury. I would not expect stretching to actually change or increase reach. Practice will hopefully accomplish that.

[llew]

I gotta start doing this...

[brad4d8]

Originally Posted by Coler

I think the best thing is to play guitar. Stretches etc are beneficial and especially when done during the course of actually playing. Andy gives great advice in terms of making the stretch achievable for you, then increasing difficulty as you make progress....

One on the guitar exercise that may help (possibly from Pumping Nylon, possibly not): on the sixth string, place your first finger on the first fret for a count of 4 or so, then while holding it down, put 2 on 2nd, 3 on third and 4 on 4th, keeping all of them down at the same time and holding for a count of 4. Then reverse the process. Do it again, but this time use frets 1-2-3-5, then 1-2-4-5, finally 1-3-4-5. Then repeat on the other 5 strings. May not be able to do all the stretches with spaces between frets at first, but don't give up.

[Mr. Jelly]

For me I have found stretching etc. causes problems and is a negative effect. The best warm up for me is to start lightly playing the guitar playing easy cowboy chords with a thin pick. After thirty seconds to a minute, I quit for a couple of minutes. Then start again. Take another break and then usually I can start going at it in a limited fashion. I should never work at anything until after a song or two. If I push my hand by either stretching or playing before it is warmed up, I can feel it for the day and sometimes longer. And that is what you are trying not to do.

[jaymarsch]

I find that playing is the best way the stretch my fretting hand. There are some great exercises out there specifically for fret board work. The pinky is challenging because it shares a tendon with the ring finger. Doing fretboard exercises that gradually build up your ability to stretch further can prevent injury.
Pumping Nylon as other folks have cited here as well as Pete Huttlinger’s DVD are great resources.
Best,
Jayne

[Silly Moustache]

Originally Posted by Sponserv

Can regular finger stretching exercises allow me to stretch across frets easier?

Conversely, is there any danger in manually grabbing a finger and stretching it?

I am not yet at the point that finger joint pain is creeping in. But I certainly do not want to hasten the inevitability.

What say you fellow "seasoned" players?

Hi, I don't think that you can artificially make your fingers longer, but stretching exercises like my "octopus" exercise simply shaking your hands out then do he "jazz hands as stiff as you can.

Thanks to Lar for mentioning my earlier hand exercise video - and here's an updated one :

When suffering from trigger fingers, some advised me to do the ball squeezing exercises to strengthen the fingers, but my hand physio lady said that such exercises are the best way to GET trigger fingers (!)

Our hands don't have muscles as such, the muscles controlling them are in our forearms - think of your palm and fingers as ropes and pulleys - we just need to keep them as free running as possible.

CTS and trigger fingers are all "RSI" and due to over, or mis-use.

We don't need more than normal strength to play guitar, just flexibility. I now realise that those fastest and slickest guitarists are those who have learned to fret as lightly as possible, putting the power in with their picking hand.

Remember!!! No exercises that cause pain is helping.

[Coler]

Originally Posted by brad4d8

One on the guitar exercise that may help (possibly from Pumping Nylon, possibly not): on the sixth string, place your first finger on the first fret for a count of 4 or so, then while holding it down, put 2 on 2nd, 3 on third and 4 on 4th, keeping all of them down at the same time and holding for a count of 4. Then reverse the process. Do it again, but this time use frets 1-2-3-5, then 1-2-4-5, finally 1-3-4-5. Then repeat on the other 5 strings. May not be able to do all the stretches with spaces between frets at first, but don't give up.

Great advice. I do this for 10 minutes daily and it has an effect. There's lots of variations, make up your own, work on your hammer ons and pull offs (all combinstiond) at the same time.

[Martijn]

I never manually grab one of my fingers in order to stretch it, for me that does not feel comfortable. As it could also damage the finger joints I would not recommend anyone to do so.
Increasing the flexibility of your hand/fingers can be done perfectly by playing appropriate guitar exercises, for example like the ones mentioned by @brad4d8.