Painful Barre Chords


jarler
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jarler
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01/24/2010 3:15 pm
Hey all. I've been playing a few months now and I dread practicing barre chords for one simple reason: they hurt my hand!

Maybe "hurt" isn't the best way to describe it. It's more like it exhausts my hand, specifically the area between my index finger and my thumb. After only a minute of barre chords, my hand hurts because the muscle feels so worn out. It's been this way for a long time and every time I practice them, it comes back. Also, I've noticed the longer I push myself to practice, the larger that area of my hand gets. I try to only put enough squeeze pressure to sound the notes, but even if I lighten up to the point of muting strings, it still happens.

Has anyone else experienced this? Is it simply a matter of building up the strength of my hand? It might be my imagination, but it seems to happen in the same amount of time now that it did two months ago, despite that I have been practicing.
# 1
RickBlacker
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RickBlacker
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01/25/2010 10:42 pm
Yes.
I skipped practicing them for a long time myself because of this. I'm not coming back and trying to get them down as well. I'm going on the same theory as normal exercise does. You're not doing to get it overnight. It takes time.
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# 2
Kwote
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Kwote
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01/26/2010 12:38 am
It shouldn't hurt. Try finding the minimum amount of pressure necessary. Adjust the angle of your fingers and or thumb until you find the most comfortable position. Remember to rest between strumming and chords. Never keep the strings pressed down all the time.
# 3
BrokenJera
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BrokenJera
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01/26/2010 1:35 am
a few ideas here:

the simplest answer is its just muscle pain and working on them regularly will help. get a clock with seconds on it and time your self to set a base line, dont just hold the barre but mix it up with major minor and open chords as well as lead lines and scales. check your time once a week until you are satisfied. this is a great time to learn your keys so if you need to write out the chords for every key and every time you practice use a different key and use those chords scales and modes to both learn and getyou hands stronger.

another idea is to work on a warm up routine. figure out what works for you and what doesnt and get on with it. this is a strange idea but you might also check you diet. add some protin and remove some of the bad carbs/ junk food. even though this sounds strange try to take one day a week off from practice. dont even get your axe off the stand or out of its case, just relax.

another idea is try taking up video games. i know alot of guitar players out there are laughing at me but it can really help. the modern controller can really help build up that muscle and tendons as well as help with hand eye and abstract thinking. just try to avoid those guitar playing games, even though they can help get your timing skills better. just aviod computer games unless you have a computer controller with a thumbstick.play a few hours a week and in no time your hand will start to feel better.

you can buy a few hand aids that will build strength but you need endurance and flexability more than brute strength to play well. i know a few things about this because in high school i caught a katana by the blade in my left palm. i got 9 stiches nerve damage and muscle pain that never goes away.

just take your time and and itll come.
They say the END is near, but I'm Tired of waiting.
# 4
Ed Jalowiecki
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Ed Jalowiecki
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01/26/2010 2:52 am
You'll get it over time. It will probably be easier for you on electric, rather than acoustic. You could also try lighter gauge strings, then you won't have to use as much pressure. When playing rhythm with barre chords, let your hand rest as much as possible when not sounding the chord.
# 5
Carl King
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Carl King
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01/26/2010 3:20 am
Yes, check to make sure your action isn't too high. Go to the music store and try playing on some random electric guitars off the wall and see if it still hurts as bad.

-Carl.

Carl King[br]GuitarTricks Video Director / Producer

# 6
des14
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des14
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01/30/2010 2:12 am
i learned that tilting my guitar up helps me with the barre chords......it might help you.....
# 7
kahunastev
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kahunastev
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01/31/2010 1:24 am
I switched to D'Addario light strings years ago for the same reason. They are easier to hold down, and I've always enjoyed their sound. Give it a try, or maybe switch between steel & nylon strings on different guitars to give your hand a rest.
# 8
jarler
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jarler
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01/31/2010 8:34 pm
I appreciate all the input guys! I discussed this more in depth with my live instructor and we think it's just that my muscles are weak and it will take time to build them up. Time will tell. :)
# 9
mja155
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mja155
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02/03/2010 1:20 am
Yeah as others have said. Your action may be too high so you have to press down harder and also you may want to get some lighter strings? On my electric the strings are so light that playing a bar chord barely feels like anything.

Try out some finger strengthening exercises. Playing the guitar will help strengthen your fingers over time. If they hurt stop playing because if you play with sore wrists and fingers they will get weaker.

I used to have the url for a really good video on youtube about this. Try stretching your wrists and fingers before each session, this video may help.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8I63ld7wZCs
# 10
wazupwiopiii
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wazupwiopiii
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02/03/2010 7:52 pm
I was at your place once. I have been playing for 6 years and have done some 'crazy' things to build strength in my hands. I strung my guitar with gauge 10's and pinched the fretboard between my thumb and forefinger. I set the guitar on a chair or couch, then I lifted the entire guitar between those two fingers. Pretty soon, you will be barring like crazy. I would get your guitar checked out by a tech to make sure the action is okay.
# 11
SlickString
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SlickString
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02/04/2010 9:20 am
Originally Posted by: mja155Yeah as others have said. Your action may be too high so you have to press down harder and also you may want to get some lighter strings? On my electric the strings are so light that playing a bar chord barely feels like anything.

Try out some finger strengthening exercises. Playing the guitar will help strengthen your fingers over time. If they hurt stop playing because if you play with sore wrists and fingers they will get weaker.

I used to have the url for a really good video on youtube about this. Try stretching your wrists and fingers before each session, this video may help.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8I63ld7wZCs


Good advice but those hand exercises on the video look brutal!! Good principle but to me it looks like excessive force. I would suggest to stop applying force before the tendons look like they might pop!
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# 12
meurigj
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meurigj
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02/06/2010 2:26 pm
My hands are not big enough for virtually all the guitar stuff on this website
# 13
JS4KIKZ
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JS4KIKZ
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02/06/2010 3:35 pm
Originally Posted by: meurigjMy hands are not big enough for virtually all the guitar stuff on this website


I've seen kids around 8yrs old playing like they've been at it for 20 years, so I'm not so sure that hand size has an extremely large factor in playing the guitar. The best suggestion I've heard so far is getting lighter strings, and from experience, I totally agree.

I just had my Martin acoustic adjusted and re-strung with lighter strings, and let me tell you.......what a difference it makes! I spent around $45 at a local Guitar Center and it was by far the best investment (besides this website) that I could have made, in becoming a better guitar player.

:)

Lenny
# 14
dr50376272
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dr50376272
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02/07/2010 3:47 am
i recommend hardening up my friend ! pain means something is good once you overcome it. i have a saying `pain is lying to you`.....
go to the gym, build up some muscle, and after a while a little finger pain wont mean anything to you!
good luck, and peace be with you !
# 15
jarler
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jarler
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02/07/2010 2:44 pm
I've spent some time practicing these, and while my hand still gets tired, it seems to take longer to get there than it was. Thanks for all the input guys!
# 16
5iron2
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5iron2
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02/12/2010 3:19 am
Lower the action at the nut end - I did mine and can now play the dreaded F barre chord
# 17
Ben_Fussel
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Ben_Fussel
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02/21/2010 11:25 pm
Maybe take some beginner lessons? I think it could be a lot of different things, a good teacher will quickly show you what to do and save you lots and lots of frustration.

I wish I'd taken that advice, like I've played guitar about 10 years on my own and built up a lot of bad habits, I finally had to go to an instructor to unlearn them...I still am.

I found what helps with barre chords for me, is maybe starting off with partial barre chords and you'll build up strength. The thing with guitar is that you don't need to be THAT strong to play, it's more about coordination. So if it's hurting your hand, there could be some issue other than finger strength.
# 18
jarler
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jarler
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02/22/2010 1:25 pm
It's been nearly a month since I posted my original question. I've been practicing my barre chords and they are much easier now. I can do a four measure barre chord progression for a good 5 minutes now before my hand gets tired. It used to happen within a minute or so.

Thanks for all your suggestions! :)
# 19
Ed Jalowiecki
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Ed Jalowiecki
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02/24/2010 3:08 am
Another thing to try is playing parts of the 6-string barre chord instead of the whole chord shape. You could try the lowest 4 strings, the middle 4 strings, or the highest 4 strings. Experiment with parts of the chord, because you're not always going to use the whole thing in different playing situations.
# 20

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