Beginner guitar question:

[DukieShane]

Hey guys. I started guitar this year and I'm at the point now where I can play barre chords with pretty smooth transition. Here's my question:

Is it normal for the left hand and wrist to hurt like hell after playing an entire song that mostly consists of barre chords? The muscles in my hand, especially between thumb and forefinger, ache pretty bad. Will this go away with time? Thanks,

shane

[gregerly]

I wouldn't say it's uncommon to find some soreness in your wrist after playing a song, but by no means should it hurt alot! I find that when I try and teach most people to play barre chords, they get so wrapped up in thinking that your index finger needs to actually hold down all the strings, when really your other three fingers are holding down 3 strings also. So think of it not so much as a barre, just a way to hold down the top and bottom strings. Usually when you think of it this way you will relieve some of the tension that is found when people first start playing barre chords. Try that and see if it helps.

Greg G.

[PilotC150]

Originally posted by gregerly
I wouldn't say it's uncommon to find some soreness in your wrist after playing a song, but by no means should it hurt alot!

I disagree. I think it is completely normal for it to hurt. Even hurt A LOT after play a full song consisting of Barre chords. The muscle that hurts isn't one that you use that often, if at all. Give it time, and it will strengthen. Just play that song over and over and over a few times per day, and will hurt less and less each time.

Keep in mind, Gregely, that on E-based minor barre chords you actually have to hold down 4 of the strings. And it's actually the G string that I find hardest to stay down. On my new guitar it's a bit easier, on my old one it was nearly impossible. I've been playing for almost 3 years, by the way (just for the record).

So anyway, don't worry if it hurts, if it keeps hurting for a few hours after you stop playing you might wanna worry, or if you feel something "pop" in your hand, but otherwise, it's just the muscle getting strained that isn't used to it.

[Mathers420]

yeah mine will still hurt if I play an entire song worth of barre chords

[DukieShane]

Awesome guys, thanks. Yeah, it doesn't hurt for hours after or anythign like that, just becomes progressively more painful to play the chord until it rests for a while. I was afraid it meant I had arthritis or something, lol. But I can already feel it start to hurt less, or take longer to hurt. Thanks again.

[I, Brian]

LOL! Those bar chords can really pull on your tendons and muscles!

It can be especially an issue where the guitar neck is fairly thick. I learned guitar on a tank of an acoustic. Nowadays I could pick most any other guitar and play it fine, whereas people who learned on those sweet skinny electrics would have difficulty doing anything musical with my first guitar...

[PilotC150]

Originally posted by I, Brian
LOL! Those bar chords can really pull on your tendons and muscles!

It can be especially an issue where the guitar neck is fairly thick. I learned guitar on a tank of an acoustic. Nowadays I could pick most any other guitar and play it fine, whereas people who learned on those sweet skinny electrics would have difficulty doing anything musical with my first guitar...

EXACTLY! That's why i'm so glad I learned on a crappy acoustic. Really, there's nothing better to learn on. Cuz once you learn to play that well, you can play ANYTHING. My friend, who learned on electric, can't play acoustic at all. Although I find myself "overplaying" an electric, if you know what I mean. I think if I buy an electric I'll have to get the thickest strings possible.

[kgoedman]

I know when I started out my wrists killed me after playing songs that were filled with barre chords.
I remember that Flake, by Jack Johnson, killed me. I was in pain afterwards.

[gregerly]

Originally posted by PilotC150
I disagree. I think it is completely normal for it to hurt. Even hurt A LOT after play a full song consisting of Barre chords. The muscle that hurts isn't one that you use that often, if at all. Give it time, and it will strengthen.

All i'm saying is that in the begining people tend to put way more pressure than neccesary when playing barre chords. I know from experience because I did it to, and once you can let your hand relax, it becomes much easier.

I studied some classical guitar and my techaer was developing this technique where it wasn't so much of pushing down the string as it was letting the weight of gravity kind of pull (not bending the string) but using the force of gravity on your hand to keep the string fretted.

Try fretting the sting and then while still fretting, let your hand kind of go limp and pull down (again not bending the string). This technique when done correctly will alliviate alot of tension in your hand when playing barre chords.

Greg

[Stuntcheeks]

The first thing I thought of was Flake by Jack Johnson, too. Damn, my hand hurts after that song.

ALL barres.

[bigeyedharper]

Originally posted by Stuntcheeks
The first thing I thought of was Flake by Jack Johnson, too. Damn, my hand hurts after that song.

ALL barres.

but its damn fun to play... i love playin jack johnson stuff. hella cool rhythms with the muting slaps and stuff.

[PilotC150]

My first all barre was Natalie Imbrugila - Torn.

[Flschbrger]

trick is learn on a crappy acoustic. everything after that will be smooth sailing