Sore fingers...

[TeleMark]

Hello, all...

I've got a quick question about finger pain. I've been playing mando for about 4 weeks now, and have been taking lessons (I'll also throw out here that I've played guitar for several years). Over the past couple of days, my index finger has been fairly sore at the knuckle joints. When I flex the finger (not playing), I can feel some discomfort.

I'm guessing it's because I've been learning songs with double-stops at the second fret. The higher tension on the mando requires much more pressure to fret the notes, which is taking some adjustments.

The question I have is this... should I take a couple of days off from playing http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif or should I "play through the pain?" My gut tells me to keep playing, but to lay off the double-stops for a couple of days. Any tips for a sore newbie?

Thanks,

TeleMark

[s1m0n]

"Playing through" tendonitis is *not* recommended. It's not like the ache of stretching muscles; all that happens is that it gets worse until you can't play any longer.

However, if it's just beginning, you have some options before you have to stop playing for a while.

You should stretch your fingers before playing--spider pushups will do the trick--and look into changing your posture and technique.

As well, try to reduce tension when you play.

These may be enough to avert future problems.

[pdlstl]

Lay-off for a couple of days.

In addition to your fingers healing, it's surprising how you will play better after a small lay-off!

[Asha]

Suggest:
1) Lay off a couple of days.
2) Stretch fingers gently before playing.
3) Ice them after playing.
4) Anti-inflammatories may help for the acute phase.
5) Alternate hot soaks and cold ice water soaks.
6) Don't play if it hurts.

[ShaneJ]

Another suggestion would be to make sure your mando is set up properly. Some folks like a very high action to get more volume out of the instrument. But that makes playing a lot harder too. If you're not worried about being heard over the noise of a screaming banjo, then get it set up for a lower action and the playability will increase.

[TeleMark]

Thanks, all, for the tips. I'll try to take tonight off (it's so hard!) and will try to incorporate some stretching. Anyone have any favorites?

I'm sure the action is part of the problem. The nut is VERY tall (it's a $99 Rover), but I'm planning on trading up to something like a MK or maybe a Breedlove or Rigel A model, and I don't want to put too much into this thing. I'll likely swap sometime in the next couple of months, so for now I'll probably just deal.

Thanks!

TeleMark

[jim simpson]

Telemark,
I would not continue to play your mandolin with the nut set up too high. For not too much money, you could order a set of string slotting files from Stew-mac. I have used mine many times over the years to have them pay for themselves. You could also take it to someone to have this done. A good set-up on any instrument can make a world of difference in the playability.

[Charlie Derrington]

If it is tendonitis, it will take a long time to heal. I had it myself a couple of years ago, and it took about six months of pretty heavy NSAIDs to completly rid myself of the problem.

Just don't overdo it. As Ben Franklin said, "Everything to moderation, nothing to excess".

Charlie

[J. Mark Lane]

Nice of people to try to help, but when it comes to things like hand pain in my view it is important to be accurate about what is happening. I'm not a doctor, but I've had a few muscle and joint problems over the years, and have a hand specialist among my health care providers.

Indeed, as Charlie says, if it is tendonitis (or arthritis or various other things), it is a serious matter and will require long term care with a doctor's supervision. However, it is probably not tendonitis.

Given the circumstances -- new to instrument, etc. -- it's probably just muscle fatigue. When I get that, yes, I perhaps play a little less, but I also continue to "work out" the muscles. It's just like working out at the gym. The more you push yourself, the more you succeed and develop.

As trite as it might sound, if you think it could be something else, just go to a doctor. They can probably diagnose it very quickly.

Mark

[TommyK]

I developed a 'death grip' from using a cheap, high action guitar that wouldn't allow me to play everyday due to pain. When I got a better guitar I retained the 'death grip'. Eventually I figured out I didn't need to choke the neck so hard. I can now play daily without pain.
How high is the action at the 12th fret? Can you set the saddle any lower?
There's a musician's health web site cited on one of the threads here. Try searching 'health'. It has a link to an article that specifically targets hand problems of guitarists (and other fretted instruments) and how to avoid them by doing stretching exercises.