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#1
09-20-2020, 03:15 PM
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Oww... my shoulder.
Well, it's official. My shoulder hurts from playing my Dreads and MJ this weekend.
I've been drawn to OMs lately because of minor discomfort while playing larger guitars (as well as a desire for variety) but nothing I'd describe as pain after the fact, until today. Being a pretty big guy, I always kind of scoffed at the idea and adopted the "bigger is better" principle. But now I'll humbly be awaiting my membership card in the mail.
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"What have I learned but the proper use for several tools" -Gary Snyder Bourgeois DR-A / Bowerman "Working Man's" OM / Martin Custom D-18 (adi & flame) / Martin OM-21 / Northwood M70 MJ / 1970s Sigma DR-7 / Eastman E6D / Flatiron Signature A5 / Silverangel Econo A (Call me Dan) 
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#2
09-20-2020, 03:26 PM
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Using a guitar strap might help or be another option before having to down size.
MGF
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#3
09-20-2020, 03:28 PM
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I'm not about to start liquidating my dreads yet.
Part of the problem was that a lot of my playing this weekend was on the couch in a bit of an awkward position.
__________________
"What have I learned but the proper use for several tools" -Gary Snyder Bourgeois DR-A / Bowerman "Working Man's" OM / Martin Custom D-18 (adi & flame) / Martin OM-21 / Northwood M70 MJ / 1970s Sigma DR-7 / Eastman E6D / Flatiron Signature A5 / Silverangel Econo A (Call me Dan)
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#6
09-20-2020, 04:32 PM
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Two things :
1. Posture 2. Exercise / shoulder muscle strengthening. Dreads and Jumbos were not designed for playing seated, but most of us do. We sit with bent backs, and with our right shoulder hunched up and tensed. Shoulders are very complicated mechanics, and they wear as we age. As we sink in that luxurious sofa, with our dread and with, perhaps, a few extra pounds around our waistline. It may not seem like it, but that is contorting. I discovered this in 2017/8 after losing a lot of weight and muscle tone after cancer treatment. Everything hurt but I was particularly concerned about the difficulty in playing my lovely dreads. Beacause of this and other issues, and despite advice from my cionsulytance I got a GP referral to the lovcal gym and rebuilt my upper body - I/m no Adonis, but I found that a little exercise managed to reduce and resolve my muscle issues. Now with access to gyms unavailable during the current situation, 15 minutes exercise with a 5kg dumbell in the back yard every other day still works.
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Silly Moustache, Just an old Limey acoustic guitarist, Dobrolist, mandolier and singer. I'm here to try to help and advise and I offer one to one lessons/meetings/mentoring via Zoom! Last edited by Silly Moustache; 09-21-2020 at 05:39 AM.
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#7
09-20-2020, 04:50 PM
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Posture and Sitting Down
Posture and Sitting Down are diametrically opposed concepts.
That's why some ergonomic assisting devices need to be used. Chair Guitar Strap Standing up when Playing MGF
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#8
09-20-2020, 05:03 PM
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I have found that as has already been mentioned, exercise and ergonomic adjustments should help tremendously. I also find that alternating between a larger and smaller guitar throughout my practice helps as well. Good luck.
Best, Jayne
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#9
09-20-2020, 05:03 PM
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It will be a learning curve, since this is new for me.
I got a new couch recently, and I definitely sink into it more than my old one, I think that has something to do with it. I've been doing pretty well with strength conditioning lately, but I could definitely work on my flexibility in my shoulders which I think is part of the problem.
__________________
"What have I learned but the proper use for several tools" -Gary Snyder Bourgeois DR-A / Bowerman "Working Man's" OM / Martin Custom D-18 (adi & flame) / Martin OM-21 / Northwood M70 MJ / 1970s Sigma DR-7 / Eastman E6D / Flatiron Signature A5 / Silverangel Econo A (Call me Dan)
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#10
09-20-2020, 05:10 PM
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Are you using a guitar strap
Not wanting to sound like a broken record.
Guitar Strap cured me of shoulder pain, though i don't use one anymore. BUT, if you get shoulder pain, the guitar strap would be the FIRST thing I would use. Standing up and sitting straight would be other items i would look into. MGF
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#12
09-20-2020, 05:45 PM
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I wear a strap, play seated and shift the guitar to the left side a bit. I also push the neck up, which I prefer as I play finger style. This drops the lower bout and makes it easier on the right shoulder.
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Barry My SoundCloud page Avalon L-320C, Guild D-120, Martin D-16GT, McIlroy A20, Pellerin SJ CW Cordobas - C5, Fusion 12 Orchestra, C12, Stage Traditional Alvarez AP66SB, Seagull Folk Aria {Johann Logy}:
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#13
09-20-2020, 05:49 PM
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Quote:
 The guitar strap can do amazing things, even when sitting down. MGF
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#14
09-20-2020, 08:41 PM
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Any excuse to buy another guitar is good.
But shoulder problems are very common, usually caused not by guitar but by life, and mostly easily fixed. Speak to your doc about xrays and referral to a good physical therapist. Health insurance will cover it. There are specific treatments and then exercises which when learnt are easy to do and keep you OK long term. - stevo PS: A guitar strap, set fairly short, enables many good positions with ease and comfort. I make mine out woven nylon cord avail in many colors, or paracord, even bootlaces. Last edited by ssynhorst; 09-20-2020 at 08:49 PM.
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#15
09-21-2020, 04:32 AM
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Also consider more advanced non-guitar-related solutions like massage therapy, physiotherapy, chiropractic, or dry needling. (This last one is doing wonders on my bad shoulder where all else failed). Good luck.
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