Pain threshold - Minstrel Banjo2024-03-29T13:46:39Zhttps://minstrelbanjo.ning.com/forum/topics/pain-threshold?commentId=2477478%3AComment%3A90864&feed=yes&xn_auth=noSorry for the delay in respon…tag:minstrelbanjo.ning.com,2013-04-29:2477478:Comment:909432013-04-29T22:04:50.026ZAnthony G Spanglerhttps://minstrelbanjo.ning.com/profile/AnthonyGSpangler
<p>Sorry for the delay in responding, and thanks for all the replies!</p>
<p>It occurred to me after the fact that I <em>had</em> been outdoors digging post holes and push mowing for the first time this year, and that <em>might</em> have added something to the mix!</p>
<p>Ron and Terry, I tried lowering the angle, and that did feel a bit better. Dean, yes, I <em>do</em> tend to clamp down on it, and seeing that along with lowering the angle seems to be helping. Thanks for the warm up tip,…</p>
<p>Sorry for the delay in responding, and thanks for all the replies!</p>
<p>It occurred to me after the fact that I <em>had</em> been outdoors digging post holes and push mowing for the first time this year, and that <em>might</em> have added something to the mix!</p>
<p>Ron and Terry, I tried lowering the angle, and that did feel a bit better. Dean, yes, I <em>do</em> tend to clamp down on it, and seeing that along with lowering the angle seems to be helping. Thanks for the warm up tip, Terry!</p>
<p>Bart, my wife took guitar back in college and recalled that she had a similar sensation, and that it eased with continued practice, fingers crossed! Steel strings! Hmmm. Not ready for those, I think, heheh.</p>
<p>Tim, my scale is 26". I will definitely keep any eye on how this progresses. At the moment I'm having more trouble finding a little time to practice than I'd like, so no worries there (though I will have the place to myself for a few days coming up soon, so...). I'll try to put up a short clip when I can get through just a bit more "Juba" without butchering it <em>too</em> badly! Worst case, if it's just too long a scale, I might have to build another one :D.</p>
<p>Anyway, thanks again, everyone, I greatly appreciate it!</p>
<p>Tony</p> You should have someone watch…tag:minstrelbanjo.ning.com,2013-04-29:2477478:Comment:908092013-04-29T18:38:36.123ZTim Twisshttps://minstrelbanjo.ning.com/profile/TimTwiss
<p>You should have someone watch your angles.</p>
<p>I began with a longer instrument...27" scale. The particular angle required to play it irritated the shoulder, and I actually ended up with frozen shoulder. I switched to a shorter scale length ( 25.5" ) for several years, and my angle changed. It was subtle, but significant. So, just beware....it may not all be normal. Just keep an eye on it. I would also add that I played too long without breaks.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>You should have someone watch your angles.</p>
<p>I began with a longer instrument...27" scale. The particular angle required to play it irritated the shoulder, and I actually ended up with frozen shoulder. I switched to a shorter scale length ( 25.5" ) for several years, and my angle changed. It was subtle, but significant. So, just beware....it may not all be normal. Just keep an eye on it. I would also add that I played too long without breaks.</p>
<p> </p> What you are feeling is natur…tag:minstrelbanjo.ning.com,2013-04-29:2477478:Comment:908062013-04-29T18:04:19.948ZBart McNeilhttps://minstrelbanjo.ning.com/profile/BartMcNeil
<p>What you are feeling is natural and will go away with time and practice. When I took up banjo and mandolin I was sore like you but now I can play any length of time without the slightest pain and very little fatigue. Try it with steel strings and you will find out what pain is.</p>
<p>What you are feeling is natural and will go away with time and practice. When I took up banjo and mandolin I was sore like you but now I can play any length of time without the slightest pain and very little fatigue. Try it with steel strings and you will find out what pain is.</p> What is the scale length of y…tag:minstrelbanjo.ning.com,2013-04-29:2477478:Comment:908642013-04-29T01:31:59.478ZTim Twisshttps://minstrelbanjo.ning.com/profile/TimTwiss
<p>What is the scale length of your instrument?</p>
<p>What is the scale length of your instrument?</p> You likely are unconsciously…tag:minstrelbanjo.ning.com,2013-04-29:2477478:Comment:908612013-04-29T00:23:03.439ZDean Havronhttps://minstrelbanjo.ning.com/profile/DeanHavron
<p>You likely are unconsciously tensing the muscles in your shoulder, neck and upper arm while playing. I have caught myself doing this from time to time too, it can creep up on you when you are playing difficult passages that require a lot of concentration. Next time you sit down to play, pay attention to how your shoulder feels; if it's tense, take a deep breath, drop your arm and wiggle it, relax those muscles; check yourself regularly. Hold the neck in whatever position works for you that…</p>
<p>You likely are unconsciously tensing the muscles in your shoulder, neck and upper arm while playing. I have caught myself doing this from time to time too, it can creep up on you when you are playing difficult passages that require a lot of concentration. Next time you sit down to play, pay attention to how your shoulder feels; if it's tense, take a deep breath, drop your arm and wiggle it, relax those muscles; check yourself regularly. Hold the neck in whatever position works for you that requires minimal arm strength to keep it where you want it. Good luck!</p>
<p></p> Tony, bring the neck down. Do…tag:minstrelbanjo.ning.com,2013-04-28:2477478:Comment:906292013-04-28T22:46:24.269ZBell Banjoshttps://minstrelbanjo.ning.com/profile/TerryBell
<p>Tony, bring the neck down. Do what you can to stop the pain. If you're playing with the banjo between your legs, get used to playing it on your right leg. This shortens your left arm's reach of course. Before you play, grab your right shoulder with your left hand, rest your left elbow on your chest. Take your right hand and gently pull your left elbow to your right, feeling a stretch in your left shoulder. Do it for 30 seconds. Don't pull hard. Harder is not better. Above all, when you feel…</p>
<p>Tony, bring the neck down. Do what you can to stop the pain. If you're playing with the banjo between your legs, get used to playing it on your right leg. This shortens your left arm's reach of course. Before you play, grab your right shoulder with your left hand, rest your left elbow on your chest. Take your right hand and gently pull your left elbow to your right, feeling a stretch in your left shoulder. Do it for 30 seconds. Don't pull hard. Harder is not better. Above all, when you feel pain playing - Stop. You could be 'shredding' your shoulder muscles, like pulling an old sock apart when the cloth is old. Playing in pain only prolongs healing. How do I know this stuff? I had to do it.</p> some folks say to hold the ba…tag:minstrelbanjo.ning.com,2013-04-28:2477478:Comment:908582013-04-28T21:43:15.506ZRonhttps://minstrelbanjo.ning.com/profile/Ron
<p>some folks say to hold the banjo with the peg head up at an angle toward the ceiling.</p>
<p>That causes me pain like you mention . I hold it with the peg head parallel to the floor and things work better for me. It isn't supposed to hurt when you play. You might try different angles and see what works for you.</p>
<p>some folks say to hold the banjo with the peg head up at an angle toward the ceiling.</p>
<p>That causes me pain like you mention . I hold it with the peg head parallel to the floor and things work better for me. It isn't supposed to hurt when you play. You might try different angles and see what works for you.</p>