• Zurf
  • Zurf
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  • From: Virginia, USA
  • Registered: 2007-06-27
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Topic: Stretch that wrist!

I am only now beginning to realise the importance of body position.  It's been interesting.  HannahBeth asked about using her thumb earlier today, and I hope I answered her correctly.  I've found that how the arm is positioned - especially the elbow up or elbow down - makes an enormous difference to how well I can apply pressure with my fingertips.  As I relearn this - my wrist and fingers are learning that they are not as flexible as they ought to be.  So... another basic skill to relearn the right way.  I guess this is the difficulty of teaching myself.  I expect students with teachers are way, way ahead of me on this.  C'est la vie.  It is the journey that is fun. 

- Zurf

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  • From: Tooele Ut
  • Registered: 2006-03-04
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Re: Stretch that wrist!

Those of us who are self taught tend to carry a lot of bad habits.  Sometimes I realize I am wrong and try to improve it, such as body position, only to go back to the old ways in most cases. Old dog, new tricks comes to mind.  I still say that bad habits are relative.  If you are comfortable with them, who is to say they are wrong.  What you become used to ends up being the right way for you.

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  • Zurf
  • Zurf
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Re: Stretch that wrist!

I agree with you, but in this case the bad positioning is preventing me from getting my pinky up two fret on power chords and I can't get a boogie-woogie shuffle going.  So I am having to stretch my fingers and get my wrist to the right place so that I can do what I want to do. 

- Zurf

Granted B chord amnesty by King of the Mutants (Long live the king).
If it comes from the heart and you add a few beers... it'll be awesome! - Mekidsmom
When in doubt ... hats. - B.G. Dude
  • Astronomikal
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  • From: Texas
  • Registered: 2009-11-01
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Re: Stretch that wrist!

Zurf wrote:

I agree with you, but in this case the bad positioning is preventing me from getting my pinky up two fret on power chords and I can't get a boogie-woogie shuffle going.  So I am having to stretch my fingers and get my wrist to the right place so that I can do what I want to do.

I have the same problem.  I play right-handed.  I find that when I sit and lean the guitar against my left leg (instead of on my right) and tilt the neck up to almost a 45 degree angle it takes a LOT of strain off my wrist and allows me to stretch further with my fingers on the fretboard.

It looks a bit unconventional, but it works for me.  I have no idea how guys like Billy Joe Armstrong and Dave Grohl can do power chords with their guitars hanging down at their thighs.  My wrist just doesn't work that way.

"Just because you've always done it that way doesn't mean it's not incredibly stupid." - Despair, Inc.
  • From: Probably Somewhere
  • Registered: 2010-12-09
  • Posts: 2,446

Re: Stretch that wrist!

If your neck is in the right position you don't have to press a lot with your fingers. You can drop your shoulder and hang your arm off of the fretboard, using the weight of your arm to apply pressure rather than grabbing with the fingers.

  • Registered: 2007-03-24
  • Posts: 1,108

Re: Stretch that wrist!

Agreed. Wrist position is so, so important. I developed a real bad wrist position from always playing while sitting and watching TV. It's a hard habit to break and I struggle with it. My palm is almost always flat on the neck unless I make an effort. Amazing how far I've come with such a basic flaw. It's almost like relearning

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  • From: NY
  • Registered: 2009-08-26
  • Posts: 4,320

Re: Stretch that wrist!

I'm sure I must have bad wrist position as well.  I have double jointed thumbs and so I do NOT put my thumb on the back of the guitar neck because then it pops out of joint and hurts... but by NOT doing this, I'm sure my wrist is in a bad position in the end.  I also find, the longer I play at any given time, the harder I tend to push with my fretting fingers (even though it's not necessary).  I have to constantly check my pressure, else my fingers get sore quicker.  I have a feeling the whole thumb thing would probably solve this problem but I digress... I have a double jointed thumb.  sad

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Re: Stretch that wrist!

This is something I have not even paid much attention to.  Ill have to see what I do.  I know I hang my left hand by my thumb a lot. I have started using it more to mute the E string.  Playing open chords I try very hard to keep my fingers curled so that  a pencile could go through them (little trick I saw wayyyy back on a vidieo) but tend to flat finger power chords.  I know I cant play all slung low either.  Looks damn cool though! LOLOLOL

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  • From: Probably Somewhere
  • Registered: 2010-12-09
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Re: Stretch that wrist!

I had to stop playing for 3-4 months in college because of not only wrist tension, but also tension in the neck and shoulders from kinking 'em up too much with the guitar strapped on. Be careful!