The Acoustic Guitar Forum

Go Back   The Acoustic Guitar Forum > General Acoustic Guitar and Amplification Discussion > PLAY and Write

Reply
 
Thread Tools
  #1  
Old 12-18-2017, 04:37 PM
cefobe cefobe is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Madrid - Spain
Posts: 863
Smile Exercises to strengthen the fingers of the guitarists

Exercises to strengthen the fingers of the guitarists



Regards
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 12-22-2017, 01:58 PM
dkstott dkstott is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Middletown, Connecticut
Posts: 1,368
Default

The only exercise program for guitarist hands that I'd recommend is simply playing the guitar. No need for any specialized efforts. 😕
__________________
2003 Froggy Bottom H-12 Deluxe
2019 Cordoba C-12 Cedar
2016 Godin acoustic archtop
2011 Godin Jazz model archtop
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 12-22-2017, 02:41 PM
amyFB amyFB is offline
Charter Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Lehigh Valley, Eastern PA
Posts: 4,599
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by dkstott View Post
The only exercise program for guitarist hands that I'd recommend is simply playing the guitar. No need for any specialized efforts. 😕
MY hands would argue with your recommendation.

I'm quite sure that had I regularly exercised my hands and made sure all the muscles got a workout, and not just the fretting muscles, I'd not be sitting here with a splint and the onset of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

I taught my left hand how to grip, and grip hard, and let me tell you - 30+ years of practice did a bangup job of teaching those muscles how to grip hard better than anything else that hand might do.

Stretch , at the very least, stretch those hands and fingers in the opposite direction, at minimum once an hour, or more often, while playing.

I am my own worst enemy sometimes, and I suspect I'm not alone.

good luck to us all - take care of your hands, it's pretty critical equipment for enjoying guitar playing.
__________________
amyFb

Huss & Dalton CM
McKnight MacNaught
Breedlove Custom 000
Albert & Mueller S
Martin LXE
Voyage-Air VM04
Eastman AR605CE
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 12-22-2017, 04:00 PM
rick-slo's Avatar
rick-slo rick-slo is offline
Charter Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: San Luis Obispo, CA
Posts: 17,170
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by dkstott View Post
The only exercise program for guitarist hands that I'd recommend is simply playing the guitar. No need for any specialized efforts. 😕
Yes for the vast majority. Also good guitar setup, comfortable guitar neck profile, perhaps playing on a short scale guitar. Try a warm up period and with some stretching (in moderation) if helpful. Of course consider medical treatment of issues such as arthritis and carpal tunnel.
__________________
Derek Coombs
Youtube -> Website -> Music -> Tabs
Guitars by Mark Blanchard, Albert&Mueller, Paul Woolson, Collings, Composite Acoustics, and Derek Coombs

"Reality is that which when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away."

Woods hands pick by eye and ear
Made to one with pride and love
To be that we hold so dear
A voice from heavens above
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 12-22-2017, 05:57 PM
Toby Walker's Avatar
Toby Walker Toby Walker is offline
Charter Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Stationary home in NJ. Mobile home on any given highway.
Posts: 9,083
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by dkstott View Post
The only exercise program for guitarist hands that I'd recommend is simply playing the guitar. No need for any specialized efforts. 😕
It really all depends on your technique. I've seen plenty of players who will never get to the next level because their technique is severely holding them back. The problem is that they never realize it.

A well-thought-out exercise program addresses just these problems.

I came up with a series for Homespun Music Instruction called "Licks-ercises" that not only teaches proper technique, but all the exercises in the program are actually really cool licks that a player will utilize in all kinds of situations. In a very real way, it's pretty much what you're talking about: playing the guitar.
__________________
Fingerpicking Acoustic Blues/Rag/Folk/Slide Lessons
https://www.tobywalkerslessons.com/
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 12-23-2017, 07:17 AM
lowrider lowrider is offline
Charter Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2016
Posts: 7,012
Default

Here's what I do every day to stretch and strengthen my pinky;

Starting with the first finger on the third fret or what ever fret that you can spread your fingers over four frets play first finger sixth string then fourth finger sixth string, play down and back up. Then third finger fourth fret and fourth finger on the same fret as before down and up. Next third finger/ fourth finger again. Then I move to the first finger second fret, do again. Then first finger first fret.

Then I move up to the 12th fret and do a blues shuffle over 5 frets and move down one fret at a time until I can't make the stretch. Right now I can get to the 6th fret smoothly and the 5th with real stretching. My goal is to get it to the 3rd fret

I do these morning and afternoon as part of my warm up. The whole warm up takes between 20 and 30 minutes, sometimes more.
Reply With Quote
Reply

  The Acoustic Guitar Forum > General Acoustic Guitar and Amplification Discussion > PLAY and Write

Thread Tools





All times are GMT -6. The time now is 08:52 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Copyright ©2000 - 2022, The Acoustic Guitar Forum
vB Ad Management by =RedTyger=