by Art Sims » Fri Jul 12, 2013 6:37 pm
This is an interesting thread to me because, now 70, I’ve struggled with weak and tender hands since about age 50. Squeeze down on a pair of pliers, open a jar of pickles, play demanding chords on the guitar – what happens? Stiffness, swelling, soreness. And, playing for long periods does indeed bring on the cramps in my left hand. Swelling and stiffness subside after a few days and I can play again. Seeking easy fingerings that don’t demand as much from the hands seems like the best solution for me. One great thing about a guitar is that there are numerous places on the neck where things can be played, some much easier than others, and fortunately, open strings can be mixed in for a lot of the notes when I get the music I play into the most playable keys. Making things easy on the hands is the main thing that enables more playing and for longer periods for me.
I’ve read that Les Paul played into his 90’s with really terrible arthritis in his hands and that Django Reignhart with severe injuries developed techniques for playing with basically two left hand fingers.
Heartfelt sympathies here to all you guys dealing with such things. Finding ways to keep playing can be a challenge. But for those who really love it, you just keep doing what you can.
Art Sims
