Originally Posted by: tracy mcconkeyHi,
Im fairly new and really enjoying the acoustic finger picking lessons and i'm distressed to find that im having pain in my left hand -- both in the front of my hand and in the thumb joint and muscle after practicing only a short time. Ive been at it 3 months and thought my hand would be getting stronger by now but instead it is getting worse. I have been doing stretches. Does anybody have any suggestions? I will be so sad if i have to quit!

Hi there.

Yes I too experience pain in my left hand, however there is a reason for that. I am 56 and been playing guitar since I was 15. I put it down for a few years but took it back up full time about 2 years ago.

Since then I have noticed pain similar to what you describe. I have had it looked at and found out I have a condition called Peripheral Neuropathy which in the hand is more commonly known as Carpel Tunnel Syndrome.

Unfortunately I have been told there is little can be done short of surgery and I have to live with it.

To help minimize this pain I find that if I play more on a nylon string acoustic guitar or electric guitar, and particularly with acoustic if I use a capo it helps lower the action and makes it a lot easier to press the strings down, especially doing barre chords.

Try a nylon string or using a capo. All u have to do with a capo is put it on the first fret and tune your strings back a half tone. Easy peasy!

Hope that helps?

Dimitri - Australia