Posture

[Laird]

So, I've been dealing with some shoulder pain after too much playing for the last year or so, and so I started strapping my mando lower (as you'll see in the picture), thinking that the problem was holding my right arm up high enough to pick at chest level. Well, now that the pain is back, I'm wondering if hanging it too low is a problem, as I'm leaning my head and neck way forward to see what I'm doing. (Yep, I'm still at that level.) Lots of tension in the neck and shoulders that way.

Any wisdom to share?

Thanks in advance!

[Barbara Shultz]

My advice would be to push yourself to start playing the mandolin without looking at it. LISTEN to it, instead. In my opinion, everything that you have to do to look at the fretboard and your fingers, creates strain and tension.

This is how I think you should determine the right place for your mandolin. Sit in a chair, nice and straight. Pretend you are holding your mandolin to play, keeping your arms relaxed and down. You want your left wrist straight, not bent back.

This is where your mandolin should be when you play it. Adjust your strap to where it holds it in this position.

If you need to look at your mandolin, just look at the side of the of fretboard. Don't tilt your mandolin, keep it pointing straight ahead. In this position, you can look at the side of your mandolin fretboard without hunching over, or twisting your neck, body, etc.

Most of thinking you need to look at your fretboard is MENTAL. If you listen to what you are playing, you should be able to adjust your fingers without looking.

These are just my opinions!

Barb

[Laird]

Thanks for the advice, Barbara! I'm definitely working on getting to the point where I glance at the fretboard less. It's mostly when making jumps of more than a couple frets.

Let me put this question differently to the rest of you pickers: have you been able to alleviate chronic shoulder pain by adjusting the strap position? I'd love to hear your stories!

[distelfink]

Barb's tips are great--relax! If your shoulder is rotated forward, it is not in the optimal position for the joint for strength and endurance, and any movement might be irritating various structures. Try, if possible, to keep your shoulder in a relaxed position, and practice squeezing your shoulder blades together--this may strengthen some muscles and help you keep a better posture as you play.

If your shoulder has been hurting for that long, it may be a good idea to have it looked at if you have access to health care.