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Thread: Ive got a problem

  1. #1

    Default Ive got a problem

    My top knuckle(closest one to my nail) on the ring finger of my left hand(the one i fret with) aches when i practice for extended periods. Last week it got bad enough to me taking a day off. Obviously this is bad technique. What am i doing wrong? Or is this normal? Im 24 so im assuming this isnt arthritis.

  2. #2
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    Default Re: Ive got a problem

    How long have you been playing mandolin and have you recently been picking up speed? My left hand usually complains a bit when I practice a lot playing as fast as I can play. I take it as a sign to slow down for a bit and focus on maintaining the lightest touch I can

  3. #3

    Default Re: Ive got a problem

    I started in july and yes ive been speeding up.

  4. #4
    but that's just me Bertram Henze's Avatar
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    Default Re: Ive got a problem

    Too much pressure and/or no warming-up exercise?
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    Default Re: Ive got a problem

    Im working out of the hal leonard book so i dont know any warm ups

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    Middle-Aged Old-Timer Tobin's Avatar
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    Default Re: Ive got a problem

    When you're first starting out and you're trying to speed up, this can be a common issue. It's probably related to "flying fingers". The natural way people try to play faster is to launch their fingers way up off the fretboard when releasing a string, and then slam them back down onto the strings. This is very hard on the joints as well as the fingertips. You sort of expect to have sore fingertips when you're developing calluses, but the joint pain will start to alert you to the problem.

    In short, you need to back off of speed a little bit and focus on technique. Keep your fingers as low and close to the strings as you can so that they are ready to make contact with the strings with minimal movement and force. Keep a light touch on the strings when fretting (as light as you can while still getting a clean note). When you release, don't let your fingers fly up like they just got burned on a stove. They do need to snap up quickly for a clean let-off, but you need to limit their range. Once you can control the range of your fretting fingers, THEN you should start to increase your speed.

    By keeping your fretting fingers hovering low over the fingerboard, you will avoid the need to slam them down on the strings. A young feller like yourself should not be experiencing joint pain like that when using good technique.
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    Default Re: Ive got a problem

    I noticed you have another thread where you mention G string buzzing and that pressing harder fixed that. Be sure your setup is okay. Shouldn't have to press too hard.
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  10. #8

    Default Re: Ive got a problem

    Yea its my technique with the buzz. I had a guitar tech set my mando up. And ill try doing the slowing down and lowering my fingers

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    Default Re: Ive got a problem

    I wonder if your sore knuckle is related to pressing harder. That ring finger is often used on the 5th and 6th fret on the G. If the action is high that would add to the knuckle stress and the buzz. It's not necessarily the case that a guitar tech would do an optimum setup on a mandolin. But hopefully your guy did.
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  13. #10

    Default Re: Ive got a problem

    Im not gunna lie it is a ton of pressure in that exact situation

  14. #11

    Default Re: Ive got a problem

    Quote Originally Posted by xav88 View Post
    ... Im 24 so im assuming this isnt arthritis.
    Well I hope not, but some people do get rheumatoid arthritis at non-old ages.

    I've had arthritis in my fingers since I was a teenager, that's one of the reasons I backed off from mandolin and focused on more easy-to-play instruments, at that time.

    One of my aunts had debilitating rheumatoid arthritis in her jaw by the age of 16.

    The whole rest of that side of the family is just riddled with similar early-onset issues.

    In their case, it appears to be hereditary, not dietary or something they're doing to 'cause' it, because even a few of them who were brought up halfway around the world (by people other than their biological kin) have ended up with the same set of early-onset arthritis problems.

    Positive thinking is good and all that, but fighting genetics can be an uphill battle. Sometimes the best a person can do is to 'maintain' and just try to not get any worse.

    Anyway, good luck, and I hope whatever it is, is less serious and clears up soon.

  15. #12

    Default Re: Ive got a problem

    What is an extended period of practicing for you? If it is more than an hour, you should take a 10 minute break after 50 minutes, at the outside. If that doesn't make a difference, try a 5-10 minute break after 30 minutes.

    During the break, do some hand/arm streching, etc. and some no-playing musical stuff.

  16. #13
    Registered User Louise NM's Avatar
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    Default Re: Ive got a problem

    How do you hold that finger when you play? You want a little bit of a bend in all the joints. If you hold that joint straight, or worse yet bent inward, you're putting extra stress on it.

    For almost everyone, the ring finger is the least strong one. You are asking it to things it's never done before.

    The Hal Leonard book does have scales in it. Those are always a good place to start for warming up. You can always start at the beginning of the book each day and review old pieces before jumping into the new one you are working on.

  17. #14
    Registered User Ivan Kelsall's Avatar
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    Default Re: Ive got a problem

    From xav88 - " I'm 24 so im assuming this isnt arthritis ". You can't make that assumption !. Arthritis can hit you at any age. In younger people it's called 'Ideopathic Juvenile Arthritis'. Your pain could be caused by many things - but get it checked out,just in case. There's no sense at all in not doing so,
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  18. #15

    Default Re: Ive got a problem

    I think i might actually bend slightly inwards. And yes i probably should get it checked.

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    Default Re: Ive got a problem

    Tendinitis can present in some funny ways. If your set up is good you can try either backing off, dividing practice timeninto a couple of shorter sessions, or even try lighter gauge strings like J73s until your hands get into playing shape. It takes time and patience, neither of which I had much of when I was 24

    But, yes, get it checked out, and preferably by a hand specialist if the usual rest, ice, etc doesn't work...
    Chuck

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    Default Re: Ive got a problem

    You could be hyperextending the one knuckle to do mini-barre chords (which i think is the only way I can do mini-barre chords with that finger, maybe others don't have to do this).

    So the other advice is good, don't play for long without breaks, increase total practice time/day slowly, lighter gauge strings/lower action, take a day off every week or at least a light day
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    Default Re: Ive got a problem

    A couple of lessons with a good teacher could help a lot with technical issues. Even the you tube ones may show you somthing you are doing wrong. I second the ideas of checking the setup on your mandolin and trying to minimize movement when speeding up.

  22. #19
    Innocent Bystander JeffD's Avatar
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    Default Re: Ive got a problem

    Some great advice in this thread.

    Two comments:

    Sometimes what's going on isn't everything that's going on. I had extreme left hand and finger pain after playing for only half an hour, and the real cause was uncontrolled type two diabetes. Good to pay attention to the trees, but take a look at the forest as well.

    Secondly, while it may not pertain in your case it might be of interest to anyone who reads this thread. A great book: Playing Less Hurt - An Injury Prevention Guide for Musicians by Janet Horvath. Talked about here.

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    Default Re: Ive got a problem

    Go for low action, light strings. Ease up on the finger pressure so you know exactly how much pressure it takes for a clean sound. Might be less than you think.

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