PeteM wrote:
Wear fleece-lined gloves for at least an hour before the show.
10 minutes before a gig I rub my hands together and on my thighs, in a fist and flat... palms and fingers. If it's really cold I start by claping my hands to get the blood flowing. I also swing my arms in a circle, floor to ceiling. This also relaxes the shoulders, which for me is very important before playing. Just be careful that you don't whack your knuckles on a table or any other props that might lurk in the wings or backstage.. I've done that before. ☹
As a matter of interest I also do stretch exercises before playing a gig... it helps to warm the whole body up which ultimately helps the fingers. Does anybody else do this?
+1 to all of the above, and yes - I also stretch before I play! (posted about this elsewhere on the forum before).
@X-rated Bob, for future reference, you can get reusable hand warmers (like mini hot water bottles, without the water), which are fantastic (just Google for them - there are loads available online). Heavy duty gloves are the bomb though, and fingerless gloves and arm warmers can be great for gigs where the stage climate is a little icy. Most importantly though, before the gig, get your whole body and your hands moving, and then insulate to keep the warmth in before you play. Good luck! ?
