Hand cramps using power chords

Anyone else having cramps in there picking hand while learning power chords? Any tips on how to reduce them or will they just fade away over time?

Should not happen or should i say , it has never happened to me . Check your grip on the pick , if you are holding onto it too hard , that could cause the pain , you onlly need enough pressure to stop it slipping when you strum , The power chord is just the root note , the fifth and the higher octave of the root note , because there is no third , it is neither major or minor , Sort of misleading name and you really don/t need to strum it that hard , Good luck

Originally Posted by: bookas58

Should not happen or should i say , it has never happened to me . Check your grip on the pick , if you are holding onto it too hard , that could cause the pain , you onlly need enough pressure to stop it slipping when you strum , The power chord is just the root note , the fifth and the higher octave of the root note , because there is no third , it is neither major or minor , Sort of misleading name and you really don/t need to strum it that hard , Good luck

Sorry. I guess my post wasn't clear. I meant my left hand, the hand forming the power chords is that one that is cramping.

Originally Posted by: keltic1701

Sorry. I guess my post wasn't clear. I meant my left hand, the hand forming the power chords is that one that is cramping.

Sound like you are using too much power on your fretting hand.. Do exercises where you find minimum pressure enough to chord to play cleanly. Start with a very light touch and increase the pressure bit by bit until the chord is playing cleanly.

bit like the callouses on your finger tips; ache like hell till you get used to it, time to put the guitar down when it hurts, next day it'll be better as your muscle develops.

Take care of the basics before you start.

Finger stretching for a few minutes, spider exercise for a few minutes then onto some simple chords. Preparation is the key.

Totally boring stuff I find but worth the effort. Once it's done, it's done and out of the way.

Joe.

trying something different may well make your wrist ache too, I've been playing the fundamentals 2 chord progression playin around with 7ths, I usually play barre chords and these fast open chords have my wrist aching, I just put the guitar down every 10 minutes or so and it'll sort itself out.