Category
Health & Ergonomics
Playing guitar asks a lot of your fingers, wrists, shoulders and back, especially when you practice a lot. In this category you read how to play in a way your body can keep up with: with good posture, a warm-up and enough rest. If you already have sore fingertips, RSI or an overworked wrist, you will find tips to reduce the complaints and build back up sensibly. There are also articles for players with small hands, arthritis or limited mobility, and about what making music does for your concentration and stress.
Just starting out? Then first read the guide playing guitar without pain and make a habit of the warm-up exercises. Do your fingertips hurt in the first weeks? Have a look at preventing finger pain. If the pain lasts longer, read recovering from overuse and see your doctor or a physical therapist if the complaints persist.
Start here
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Tips to Prevent Injuries When Playing Guitar
You prevent guitar injuries mainly with four habits: a relaxed posture with the guitar at the right height, a short warm-up, pressing no harder…
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Stretching Exercises for Guitarists
Good stretching exercises for guitarists are short and gentle. Stretch your fingers, wrists, forearms, shoulders and neck one at a time, hold each stretch…
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Ergonomic Posture for Playing Guitar
An ergonomic playing posture means sitting or standing so that your back stays straight, your shoulders are relaxed and your wrists bend as little…
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How to Recover From Overuse From Playing Guitar
How do you recover from overuse caused by playing guitar? Stop playing as soon as you feel pain, rest your hands and wrists until…
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Warm-Up Exercises for Playing Guitar
Guitar warm-up exercises loosen up your fingers, hands and wrists in a few minutes, so you play more relaxed and are less likely to…
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Avoiding Wrist Injuries When Practicing Guitar
You avoid wrist injuries when practicing guitar mainly with a straight wrist, little tension in your hands and enough breaks. Wrist problems in guitarists…
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How Playing Guitar Helps With Stress
How does playing guitar help with stress? Playing guitar demands your full attention, so worrying thoughts fade into the background for a while and…
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Why Playing Guitar Is Good for Your Brain
Why is playing guitar good for your brain? Because while you play, you use your motor skills, hearing, memory and attention all at once.…
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Learning to Play Guitar with Limited Mobility
Learning to play guitar with limited mobility is perfectly possible, as long as you match your instrument, posture and technique to what your body…
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Learning to Play Guitar With Arthritis
Learning to play guitar with arthritis is perfectly possible if you adapt your guitar, technique and practice routine to your hands. Choose a guitar…
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Learning Guitar With Small Hands
You can learn to play guitar just fine with small hands or short fingers. The biggest difference comes from a guitar that fits your…
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How to Prevent Finger Pain When Learning Guitar
Sore fingers from playing guitar? Sore fingertips are normal in the first few weeks and ease off once calluses form. You avoid unnecessary pain…
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Playing Guitar with RSI: Tips and Tricks
Playing guitar with RSI is often still possible if you reduce the load on your hands, wrists and arms. The main tips: play with…
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The Health Benefits of Making Music
What are the health benefits of making music? Making music trains your memory and concentration, helps you relax, keeps your fine motor skills supple…
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Is Playing Guitar Good for Your Concentration?
Is playing guitar good for your concentration? For many people it is: while you play, you watch your fingers, the rhythm and the sound…
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Playing Guitar with Thick Fingers: Tips and Tricks
Playing guitar with thick fingers is perfectly possible. Choose a guitar with a wider neck, place your fingertips as upright as possible right behind…