[Skrik]

I have been practising my blues rhythms, and have noticed that my left arm and hand starts aching, even after a couple of minutes of the regular I-IV-V shuffle we all know and love.

What gives?

Is the aching something that will train out -- is it a matter of my muscles getting stronger -- of is it a sign of danger?

And if I will grow stronger over time, how long will it take before I can shuffle for as long as I like without my arm hurting?

[Nutty]

It is most likely in the change to the style of music you are playing. Also, you could be a little more tense.

I remember when I bought my electric guitar a few months ago, I went through the same thing. I had been playing acoustic guitar for over 30 years (strumming only). I couldn't believe how sore I was after playing. So, the combination of the different style guitar and being tense did it.

Take a break if you need to to rest your body.

Good luck.

Nutty

[Stratrat]

Did you read this thread? A lot of the same advice applies. Your muscles will strengthen eventually in response to this "new" task put upon them, but if you overdo it you can end up injured and seriously set your progress back.

How long will it take? Too many variables to give any kind of intelligent answer to that one.

[MCH]

I suppose that's why they call it the blues.

Seriously though it's probably you're a bit too tense with the fretting hand. Or possibly the guitar needs a good setup to make it a little easier to play.

[Skrik]

Yeah, I read it, but my pain is nothing like RSI. It stops reasonably quickly once I put the guitar down.

[starsailor]

Hi Skrik, sounds like you're just cramping up a bit during playing could be partly due to tension but it's also because you're putting more pressure on those muscles, if you aren't getting a long term problem it's probably just fatigue but if you think it's getting worse you should consult a doctor, or a physiotherapist, here are some things that can help you build up hand strength, it's also good to do warm ups, when you see athletes before a race you see them doing stretches and running up and down on the spot etc. if you do anything from a cold start it's not good you need to get those muscles warm.
Give your hands a rest during practice not for ages just to give them a few minutes to recover, so play a bit, rest play a bit, rest, gradually over the weeks your hands should get fitter. You should be able to get all these products in Norway

Jelly hand exercise balls - Exercise Aids - Exercise and Rehabilitation - www.youreableshop.co.uk

BLACK GRIPMASTER Hand / Finger Strength Exerciser,Climb on eBay, also, Other Climbing Mountaineering, Climbing Mountaineering, Sporting Goods (end time 23-Mar-08 20:00:00 GMT)

Wrist Hand Arm Iron Exerciser Gripper Martial Arts PAIR on eBay, also Resistance Bands, Fitness Accessories, Exercise Fitness, Sporting Goods (end time 17-Mar-08 17:45:00 GMT)

Here's a short list of arm related injuries and the tell tale signs, it is important to be aware of these and see a doctor if you have any concerns

http://familydoctor.org/online/famdo...interview.html

Best Wishes and don't push yourself too hard

Chris

[Noodler]

I don't know if you ever feel comfortable enough to play blues shuffles in a key like G all night, do you? Would anyone here feel comfortable doing that?

This may seem like a weird idea, but ever considered a capo? Either that, or try playing higher up the neck. So instead of G at the 3rd fret, you can play G at the 10th fret of the A string. I find it much more comfortable. I use both of these ideas because I have stubby fingers, and a bad elbow. I mean I just wouldn't even try a shuffle at the 2nd or 1st frets standing up. . If you love keys like G, there are also open tuning options. Just throwing ideas out there, all of which I have seen done.

[Skrik]

Originally Posted by Noodler

I don't know if you ever feel comfortable enough to play blues shuffles in a key like G all night, do you? Would anyone here feel comfortable doing that?

When Status Quo play a concert, that is effectively what they are doing all night long. I've been thinking it must be possible.

Originally Posted by Noodler

This may seem like a weird idea, but ever considered a capo? Either that, or try playing higher up the neck. So instead of G at the 3rd fret, you can play G at the 10th fret of the A string. I find it much more comfortable. I use both of these ideas because I have stubby fingers, and a bad elbow. I mean I just wouldn't even try a shuffle at the 2nd or 1st frets standing up. . If you love keys like G, there are also open tuning options. Just throwing ideas out there, all of which I have seen done.

I have been moving up an down the neck, with varied results. It's the pinky-stretch at the top of the neck that gets me. Lower down I have less trouble. Also, an open root string helps, since I don't have that stretch between first and fourth finger.

Really, just hearing that other people's arms ache like hell after 5 minutes of shuffling would be rather consoling. It would mean I am normal.

[Noodler]

Well, let me make you feel better. I've got stubby fingers. Blues shuffles in G (3rd fret) were always hard, in F near impossible. They still are. If you gave me a choice, I'm choosing A or E baby! I'm just one guy, but hope that makes you feel better.

I will say though that they definitely get better and easier the more I play them, and if I was doing lots of blues in G over a few weeks or months, I'd probably even get to stretch to the b7. But it's been a while and I find that I lose stretchiness if I keep going for A all the time, or Bb, or some other cop-out key. I can't stretch to the b7 (ie 3rd to 8th fret) in G at the moment, I just tried. (edit: emoticon chosen to show facial expression while trying lol)