Trubore wrote:
As some of you know, I've been working hard on my technique the last couple of weeks. I made some good progress (I think that is normal if you practise at least 2 hours a day - constructively).
I started working on bending and vibrato intensively the last 3 weeks (using all my fingers). Initially I didn't have any problems, but the last 2 weeks I started experiencing more fatigue than usual. I rested for about four days, and felt great. Saturday I put in about 4 hours - big mistake. Sunday my left hand hurt a little bit, but yesterday was really bad. The tendon between my index and middle finger hurt terribly on the top middel part of my hand, just after the "hump" . Sorry for a vague description - I'm an engineer not much use on anatomy.
At one stage in my life I practised piano for 8 hours a day consistently - sometimes more. I never had a problem like this. I warm up properly, and don't experience the pain while playing, only after. What have your experiences been like? Any tips on bending/vibrato technique?
Go see a physio or similar specialist. Tender soft tissue needs looking at.
People studying classical instruments in a formal setting are usually taught good posture even if not overtly. Classical guitarists are taught a proper posture which has the benefits of having the instrument well balanced and the hands and neck well placed and at a comfortable angle. That doesn't happen in rock 'n roll.
Another possibility is that the injury is caused by something else but is aggravated by guitar playing. I had an RSI in the left hand and still have one in the right elbow (the former was a quick fix operation, the latter is more complicated). I work in IT. My physio found trapped nerves in the right elbow and could remobilise them but the long term solution was either surgery or eliminating the root cause. I found that by using an ergonomic keyboard and by using the mouse with the "wrong" hand I could keep the discomfort largely absent.
Don't ignore this. See if you can find somebody who specialises in arms and hands or maybe somebody who works with musicians (maybe ask around the musical school at Potch University).
