1 Topic by AJ23 (edited by AJ23 25-09-10 17:42:25)

  • AJ23
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Topic: This might sound strange....

Ok, this may or may not be something that you've encountered before in guitar playing. I broke my left wrist around 15 years ago. 10 years ago I had an operation on the wrist to cut away bone (as it was growing at a weird angle due to the prior damage) and insert a metal plate to hold it together.

The wrist does ache occasionally, especially when typing, but it's never really bothered me.

However, recently I began attempting barre chords and through bending the wrist into unnatural angles and applying pressure, I felt my forearm cramping like the muscle was going to burst out the skin. Lasted about 2 or 3 days and I had to put deep heat on it.

I just wondered, is this normal? Is the muscle just building and adapting to change? Is my technique incorrect? Or should I give the barre chords a miss as this could be damaging?

I really wouldn't want to give up on the barre chords....so I'm hoping it's a normal thing.

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  • polyal
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Re: This might sound strange....

it is normal
just take it gradual and keep assessing the issue .. hopefully its just normal muscle fatigue..and will ease
as you get more into it...keep plodding on with your barre chords and best of luck

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3 Reply by AJ23

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Re: This might sound strange....

Ah that sounds good to know, do you think if I change to an electric guitar it may help? I've heard barre chords are a lot easier to play for beginners......

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4 Reply by polyal (edited by polyal 26-09-10 13:38:19)

  • polyal
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Re: This might sound strange....

electrics usually have lighter guage strings ( thinner ) and are easier to press onto the fingerboard
the height of the strings ( action ) are usually lower on an electric  also...so having one could be useful
for you to practice barre chords and gradually build the strength in your hand....they are also very handy
to have around so it woudn't be a waste of money.....have both no need for either or...

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5 Reply by Olly

  • Olly
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Re: This might sound strange....

When I was teaching I found a lot of people tending to try to apply immense pressure when playing barre chords. This did lead to some serious aching.

Often this is a common mistake as if all the notes do not sound the actual reaction is to press harder. In fact you may find that it is the positioning of your fingers that is preventing notes ringing.

So my advice would be to press as lightly as you can to try and work out how much pressure is really needed then play each note and see why individual notes might not be ringing.

You obviously need to apply some pressure for barre chords, especially on the acoustic but it would be worth looking into your technique a little to see if there can be any improvements.

As Polyal has said, electric guitars with a light gauge of strings makes barre chords much easier!

Olly's Website

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  • From: Liverpool, UK
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Re: This might sound strange....

I really struggle with bar (barre???) chords (never seen that spelling!)

After a few minutes of playing a song that is mainly bar chords my forearm really hurts. Good to know I'm not the only one.

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7 Reply by Olly

  • Olly
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Re: This might sound strange....

As far as I know, Barre is the correct name but it is also common, and not necessarily incorrect.  to see them referred to as bar chords

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  • polyal
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Re: This might sound strange....

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barre_chord

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  • Registered: 22-09-10
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Re: This might sound strange....

yes bro little aches n pains come with the territory  being a plumber i have to take a few pain killers b4 i rock out these days  or a couple of doobies    default/hmm

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