Varying Neck Profiles...Bad Thing?

[Raz]

OK I need help and advice. Some of you may or may not know that I've been struggling with my Petrucci 7 string. My forearm tires quickly then begins to hurt. Now originally I thought this problem was exclusive to the Pet, due to its slim neck profile. I don't have this problem with any of my sixes, however all of my sixes have the exact same profile, since they are all the same guitar(SUB 1's). Now last night I was playing my Wayne Custom, totally different profile than the Pet, very thick, almost baseball like...and dang my forearm ached like crazy...so now what, is this the end...


So what I want to know is who else plays several different neck profiles, and if you don't you can still offer up an opinion. Currently I am playing like 4 different neck profiles...

 

[SteveB]

Raz,

Try stretching excersises for your hand before you play. Also, when playing take a look at your posture. Is the thumb of your fretting hand straight or bent backwards? Is the elbow of your fretting arm pointing out from your body? These things can make your hand hurt big-time.

Always try to keep your (fretting hand) thumb bent slightly forward when playing, and keep the elbow of that arm tucked toward your body.

I've had tendonitis for years, and I have a ganglian cyst on the tendons of the wrist of my fretting hand. Observing the things I mentioned really helps.

 

[Raz]

Thanks Steve, I must admit, I've never learned to properly play guitar, and although this info is helpful I wonder why I don't ache playing my SUB's?

 

[SteveB]

Raz,

I'd bet that the increased width of the 7-string fretboard is making you bend your thumb backwards when you play the lower (fatter) strings.

 

[Philip]

I believe it's because of the C-shaped neck in the Sub. It feels more natural to your hand. Pet has thinner neck. If you played C-shaped neck it will feel strange, I think you should dig a Pet more maybe you need to change your technique for these type of the neck

 

[kbaim]

If you play standing up, I'd say try wearing the guitar higher.

If you play sitting down, no strap, not sure.

 

[Raz]

I actually do wear the guitar quite high...perhaps Steve has a point, the extra string requires more stretching, but this problem hasn't occured before (I've been playing a seven for almost 1 year now)...I guess I can review some basic techniques and stretches before hand...

I guess what I wanted to hear was that other who play multiple profiles may or may not encounter the same thing.
I may be making things more difficult for myself by playing these varying profiles

 

[blackspy]

Technique and stretching are important when it comes to fatigue. It has alot to do with your practice as well, if you don't practice much you'll fatigue quicker. Same idea as weight lifting. You build up strength and can tolerate more of it. Do the things that fatigue your arm and hands more when just practicing, do them until you can't do it anymore. Rest, repeat. You will build it up.

The info everyone else gave about positioning and stretching is good advice as well.

If all else fails, try going to a reputable instructor and getting a lesson or two concentrating on positioning of your hand(s). I know I hold my pick wrong, and it tends to limit things I can do, so I got some 'professional' advice. I still do it a little weird, but I'm better than before.

 

[koogie2k]

An excellent hand stetching technique is demonstrated on JP's Rock Discipline video. If you want, I can send you the tab for it. It really stretches the fingers nicely and adds picking technique. I do this prior to playing as much as I can. Shoot me an e-mail if you want it. Plus, doing regular hand, shoulder, neck and wrist stretches prior to playing is always helpful.

 

[drewbixcubed]

When I read the original thread, I kept saying to myself, "It's all about stretching. Raz needs JP's Rock Discipline video."

SteveB & Koogs.....You're on it!!!!

That video blew me away when I first watched it. I love the fact that he covers so many techniques and DESCRIBES the advantages of using them (ie. he doesn't just say, "This is what I do...play like me.").

 

[SteveB]

Amen, Drew!

I have "Rock Discipline" in my laptop carrying case right now! I wish I had learned the importance of stretching years ago before I developed the problems that I have. Petrucci is such a great teacher.. I keep hoping he'll come out with another instructional DVD.

 

[cbpmmjp05]

An excellent hand stetching technique is demonstrated on JP's Rock Discipline video.

Bingo. I was just going to mention the same thing. In that video, he also demonstrates some very effective ways to warm up and stretch before even picking up the guitar. Good stuff.

 

[peat]

i play two necks

my jp6
and my old esp ltd which has a fatter neck

when i first got my jp6 both my wrists hurt like bastards for about a week
my mum told me i had tendonitis (shes a physio)
its cos i just went nuts with the legato and ignored the ache and didnt warm up properly

wild stringdom has some good stretching

i think the problem here is
if it is starting to hurt
stop doing it
usually happens with repeated patterns specially legato (for me anyway)

when are noticing the pain?

 

[Raz]

i play two necks

my jp6
and my old esp ltd which has a fatter neck

when i first got my jp6 both my wrists hurt like bastards for about a week
my mum told me i had tendonitis (shes a physio)
its cos i just went nuts with the legato and ignored the ache and didnt warm up properly

wild stringdom has some good stretching

i think the problem here is
if it is starting to hurt
stop doing it
usually happens with repeated patterns specially legato (for me anyway)

when are noticing the pain?

Well when I play, normally I just fiddle on the fretboard, not really Mr.Chords more just a lick/lead guy...

That's it I'm getting that DVD...I bid on one awhile back on on SleazeBay, but this time, regardless of price I'm getting it...I think I will eliminate all sources of error before I come to the conclusion that a certain neck radius effects my playing...thanks guys!

 

[edensdad]

I had to adapt to the shape of the Petrucci model as well, but only for 4 finger jazz chords and certain other chords that crunch your fingers together. I was so used to V-shaped and C- shaped necks that when I made those chords: D13 or C6 for example, there was space between my palm and the neck that fatigued quickly - my hand was expecting support there in an area of the neck profile that was flattened - I had to start fretting differently on it for certain chords. Then I go back to my Martin - C shaped neck (almost V)- It's like I have to have two styles. But I wouldn't trade the JP for metal and fast soloing - no fatigue there - easier than other guitars by a mile.

>^..^<

 

[Tim O'Sullivan]

Just a suggestion, have you tried laying off playing for a week or two? Might kill you in the short term of not being able to play your EBMM's, but in the longer term a good health investment maybe?

 

[beej]

Yeah Raz! Why don't you try modding your guitars for a while instead of playing

 

[ScottCoLefty]

Just a suggestion, have you tried laying off playing for a week or two? Might kill you in the short term of not being able to play your EBMM's, but in the longer term a good health investment maybe?

absolutely... When I first started gigging heavily, I blew out my wrist almost immediately....cold weather, not enough stretching, over-playing. I took a week/10 days with only stretching exercises (no playing)...that did the trick.

I have another vote for JP's video....blew the door wide open on my playing.
-scott

 

[mbgreene]

Raz

You can look at it as any other physical/athletic activity and condition yourself appropriately. Warming-up, stretching, easing into playing all help are all helpful. But if you are attempting something different which requires a change in hand position, arm angle, finger stretch etc. your muscle memory and conditioning aren't there and the results will most likely be fatigue or soreness.

Unless there is a physical issue (i.e. tendonitis, arthritis etc...) you can most likely get through it with practice. Just don't overdo it and allow the frustration to get to you. Experiment with strap length, neck angle etc. A lot of people find a comfort zone and stick with it. On the other hand, working into each instruments individual attributes allows a wider spectrum of instruments to use. If you want to play a variety of neck profiles just work yourself into shape for each.

Look at someone like the Edge. I think he plays 19 or 20 different guitars per show with different neck profiles, scale lengths, body widths and I think he's done OK for himself .

 

[phatduckk]

kinda along this topic ... anyone have any stretching techniques for a cramp in the picking hand?

I mostly play bass w/ a pick and figured id get more info on a "pick" issue here than on the bass side ...