Question for you old guys. Last night I was playing my Tele and I was haveing a heck of a time with my fingers stiffening up on me. I was haveing the same trouble today. I'm probably not playing often enough. Are there any Exercise to help with that, or is just playing more often the answer? When I play like this it sounds terrible. Maybe I could use an exercise in Self Discipline.
----Danny,

My bass teacher uses a grooved wooden roller that he rolls between his hands from fingertip to base of palms. He had me try it one day when I mentioned my hands felt stiff. It definitely helped -- I'm GUESSING because it got circulation really moving in my hands. He also always makes me do some warmup scales.

What I also find tires my hands is when I don't maintain good left hand form, especially when I don't keep my left thumb bent. If I don't keep my thumb bent, my entire hand gets tensed up. And then the weakest fingers get tired faster, and everything falls apart.

And playing EVERY DAY is key. (And I'm lucky I don't aspire to play bass for a thrash metal band, cuz my fingers will never manage that. )

_________________
Shirley Has The Blues

Blacktop P Bass
mim Deluxe P Bass Special
mim P Bass
Ibanez BTB405

Hi Danny,

The only exercise that works for me is alternately pressing each finger of my fretting hand individually against the thumb of the same hand. I count the pinky and ring finger as one finger as I usually use them together on the fretboard up to about the 12th fret since I play bass and the pinky isn't strong enough alone. So I do the pinky and ring finger together usually. I do this about 5 seconds per finger multiple times before I know I have to play, often I do this when driving. I don't need any special exercise gadget, just my thumb. Doesn't hurt to do it when your aren't going to be playing either as it builds strength and warms up the muscles and tendons. I hurt my left index finger refilling a fire department tanker from a hydrant when the quick connect blew off and jammed the finger. I thought I'd not play again but about a year later I was back and I think part of my recovery was due to that simple exercise which I learned from Carol Kaye.

I like to roll up a towel, bigger than I can fully wrap my hand around, and then squeeze it over and over. I will also squeeze with just my thumb and index finger, then thumb and middle finger etc...do that until you have worked each finger a few times. I usually do the hand exercises in the morning, and then stretch my fingers by pulling them back as far as I can without it being too painful and hold each finger back for ten seconds, before playing.

_________________
Check out my new FB music page!

https://www.facebook.com/TheDevilandMe.Music

Perhaps somewhat unorthodox, but I use these:

http://www.baodingballs.com/

Rotating these in your hand for even just a couple of minutes a day not only loosen the muscles of the hand, but contribute to overall strength and dexterity.

Thanks guys, sounds like all good ideas. I'll Give them all a try and see which works best for me. And I know playing more often will help. I learned a long time ago to, that you don't just jump in and play, without first worming up. That's something I do all the time. Then I get discouraged, start whining and that's where I am now thanks again.
----Danny,

I hear you Danny. I used to just sit down and pick up my guitar and start jamming, but I noticed that my hands were progressively more tired as the days and weeks passed. Now I at least stretch my fingers every time I play, and even just that makes a good difference.

_________________
Check out my new FB music page!

https://www.facebook.com/TheDevilandMe.Music

Try this before playing. Extend your hands in front of you palms up and do 20-30 grips (just easy grips). Then, palm down. After that, loosen your arms and shake it out. Give it about 30 seconds then place the finger tips together and push your palms together like you're praying. Do this as a slow dynamic stretch. You can also hold for five to ten seconds for a static stretch. Once again loosen your arms and shake it out. Finish up by stretching your wrist, from a prayer position rotate fingers up and pointing down and push each wrist in both directions.

Remember never force anything - If it hurts back off. Give the soft tissue 30 seconds to recover between exercises and stretches. Upper body stretching is nothing like lower body, you can not push it. Just take it easy and build up with repetition.

I try to do this each day.

_________________
My ability to spell is in direct proportion to the amount of coffee I've had.

Arthritis really bothers me,I do some hand and finger exercises and warm up some before really playing hard,and you need to know when to stop and take a break,you can hurt yourself by overdoing it...the days of pushing yourself too hard to the tune of "no pain,no gain" are over when you're a "mature" person.

I discovered this during my Carpal Tunnel surgery recovery, but a gyroscope works wonders bro..... I am a full on user and believer in them.They strengthen hands and fingers.Try one...I swear by it

_________________
1986 Fender Sidekick Reverb 35
1990 Fender Red Knob - "The Twin"
1992 Fender Newporter - Acoustic
2000 Fender American Series Strat - Natural ash
2010 Fender Mustang 1
2011 Fender Blacktop Jazzmaster -Sunburst
2012 Fender Champion

How does that work? a gyroscope?

I think its not so much what you do but how often. Do some (probably very dull) fretboard exercises everyday for at least 20 minutes, preferably ones that involve a stretch and you should notice the difference. Good luck.

_________________
Guitars, guitar amps, effects pedals, guitar strings, online guitar forum @ GTR Music

Thanks guys you've given me a lot of choices, all of them sound as though they have potential. You can be sure that I will try them.
----Danny,

well, if you are talking really, really stiff to the point where you cant move em, you might be begining to get what i have or does it only happen when you are playing guitar?
EDIT; also, are they just stiff, or are they so stiff that they start to curl inwards towards your palm? if so, it is crucial that you do not use a stress ball, or something to squeeze. that will only encourage the movement. thats from my own personal experience

_________________
riley

At least somethings getting stiff...

_________________
My ability to spell is in direct proportion to the amount of coffee I've had.