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Re:Finger Stretching

Posted: Wed Apr 01, 2009 10:02 pm
by haoli25
my pleasure rcsnydley.

I think I will refine my previous post and say.....

Index finger on the first fret, middle finger on the third fret
Index finger on the first fret, ring finger on the fourth fret
Index finger on the first fret, little finger to the fifth fret.
then,
little finger on the fifth fret, ring finger on the third fret.
little finger on the fifth fret, middle finger on the second fret.
and repeat. It does get easier with a little practice.

Re:Finger Stretching

Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2009 2:21 am
by Chasplaya
I have a large ball of Blu Tac which I use as a squeeze ball, it gets kinda yucky after a while but it helps. I also do lots of repetion exercises using each finger going up and down chromatically on each string, this helps dexterity.

Re:Finger Stretching

Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2009 7:19 pm
by rcsnydley
Hey haoli thanks for the revision, I am going to make that a regular part of my warm up and practice.

Re:Finger Stretching

Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2009 10:10 pm
by pak452
haoli25 wrote:
my pleasure rcsnydley.

I think I will refine my previous post and say.....

Index finger on the first fret, middle finger on the third fret
Index finger on the first fret, ring finger on the fourth fret
Index finger on the first fret, little finger to the fifth fret.
then,
little finger on the fifth fret, ring finger on the third fret.
little finger on the fifth fret, middle finger on the second fret.
and repeat. It does get easier with a little practice.
I'm going to start doing this tomorrow.

Thanks Rick

Re:Finger Stretching

Posted: Wed Apr 15, 2009 1:21 pm
by TGNeil
Much of the advice given on this topic is related to finger strengthening--not stretching. Building up strength is important but will not help flexibility. In fact, it may even hinder it as muscles that get stronger tend to get tighter. A good finger stretch is to hold out your arm straight with fingers point up to the ceiling and palm away from you. Gently pull each finger back toward you with your other hand until you feel a stretch. Hold it for a few seconds and then repeat several times. Another issue that is often overlooked by guitar players is forearm maintenance. Since much of finger movement is tied into muscles in your forearm and wrist it is a good idea to maintain muscle health in these areas as well. I massage my forearms by laying one flat on my leg and taking the other hand or forearm and massaging across the muscles. You can do this on both sides of your forearm.

Re:Finger Stretching

Posted: Wed Apr 15, 2009 2:44 pm
by rcsnydley
Thanks for the tips gingold.

Keep Playing
Ric

Re:Finger Stretching

Posted: Sun Apr 19, 2009 8:10 am
by Lefty
I have no formal medical training, but it strikes that any exercises that try to force fingers out wider should be looked upon very seriously.
Joints don't have a lot of latitude and it may provide serious problems in later years.
Young developing hands should especially be cared for.
Strengthening muscles is one thing, but forcing joints out wider is another.

Re:Finger Stretching

Posted: Sun Apr 19, 2009 9:24 am
by rcsnydley
Good point 'lefty'. So, my questions would be to the whole "TotallyGuitars" community is, is their any professional medical person(s) who could address 'lefty's' concerns and is their anyone who has taken formal lessons that have worked on finger stretching exercises, i.e. covering more frets? Thanks.

Keep Playing
Ric

Re:Finger Stretching

Posted: Sun Apr 19, 2009 11:20 am
by buddy
I'm not sure what exercises that "force the joints out wider" Lefty is referring to. The fretboard exercises that others have given don't present any special risk that I can see. A general guidleine is: if it hurts don't do it! Some exercises may feel uncomfortable but if you feel any sharp joint pain it's not good. Muscles, tendons, and even ligaments to a certain degree, are elastic. They can be strengthened, lengthened, and trained. Joints are made to move only certain ways--depending on the kind of joint it is (hinge, pivot, ball and socket, saddle, etc.).

While I'm not a medical expert, I was once a licensed LMT who specialized in sports massage.

Re:Finger Stretching

Posted: Sun Apr 19, 2009 11:36 pm
by Lefty
Using screw cap lids between fingers is what I am referring to.
As far as kids go, growing bones shouldn't be forced.
As far as guitar technique is concerned, if your fingers are too small and you are a still growing, develop a technique ( of playing) that gets around it, or use a 3/4 sized guitar.