Guitar Cramp Nightmare!

SATCHMO · 03-08-2010, 08:02 PM

I actually used to experience this a lot with many songs that involved a lot of comped jazz-style barre chords, which would result in serious cramping of the muscle between the thumb and first finger. Mr.Dave is very right. Poor form is likely the culprit. It is good to be mindful of your thumb's alignment with the barring fret, as well as how far your thumb extends beyond the neck during normal play, as in when you're not churning out hand mangling barre chords, which, through conditioning, or lack thereof, can have a negative influence on the muscle that is cramping up on you. It's also good to be mindful of whether or not you're exerting more pressure on the barre than what's necessary due to nerves or any other reason.

lucifer_sam · 03-08-2010, 10:57 PM

It also alters the timbre and many of the relevant frequencies of the instrument. Introducing a capo can have a significant effect upon the sustain and changes the natural harmonics of the instrument. I usually play between a half-step and three-half steps down to accommodate thicker gauge strings, I can't use a capo at all because it fucks with my action too much.

To answer the OP, if a situation presents itself when you're mixing open and barre chords, try flexing your thumb over the neck so that you aren't always putting stress on the same muscles all the time. This should offer enough down time to alleviate hand fatigue.

BQMUSIC · 06-12-2013, 12:14 AM

I have been playing for over 20 years and I have had this hand/forearm cramping happen more and more over the last few years.. I have pin pointed it to times when I have either had an active week (gym, sports etc..) and not drinking enough water... especially combined with drinking booze..
Now I won't pretend that I don't like having a few pints when I play.. However.. if you hydrate properly.. you will not have this issue.. this is 99% an issue with you simply being dehydrated and your muscles letting you know... you left hand is working overtime and then it cramps.. try drinking beer all day and playing some sporting event - (beach vball, ball hockey etc...) and not hydrating properly...your legs will do the same things...) (it will be fun though!)
Drink LOTS of water every day... or at very least.. 2 - 3 days before show.. and cut back on your beers during the show) I usually ramp up on gatoraid a day or two before.. ad even bring a few to the show to sip on instead of a beer. NO MORE ISSUES...
have fun.. and happy cramp free playing!
BQ

icastico · 03-08-2010, 11:36 PM

Warming up before you play helps...treat yourself like an athlete.

big jambo · 03-15-2010, 03:03 PM

you have to warm up especially if you're doin lots of stretches and barre chords. I don't have a band but play regularly in a local acoustic open mic night, one of my fav songs to play is Message In A Bottle. It's a nightmare on an acoustic with the stretches and barres and the only way I can do it is by playing somethin easier before it to warm up.

anathematized_one · 06-13-2013, 09:50 AM

I just wanted to throw this out there...

If you are on any medications, particularly psychiatric drugs, this could be the root cause or a primary factor.

I have, what is for me, perfect form (in other words, it is not perfect but is comfortable to me and doesn't strain myself). Then one day my fretting hand started to cramp up on me whenever I would play. As time went on, it took less and less time for it to cramp.

It turned out to be caused by the medication I was on.

Sent from my SCH-S720C using Tapatalk 2

03-08-2010, 10:57 PM	#2 (permalink)
lucifer_sam Unrepentant Ass-Mod Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 3,921	It also alters the timbre and many of the relevant frequencies of the instrument. Introducing a capo can have a significant effect upon the sustain and changes the natural harmonics of the instrument. I usually play between a half-step and three-half steps down to accommodate thicker gauge strings, I can't use a capo at all because it fucks with my action too much. To answer the OP, if a situation presents itself when you're mixing open and barre chords, try flexing your thumb over the neck so that you aren't always putting stress on the same muscles all the time. This should offer enough down time to alleviate hand fatigue. __________________ first.am

06-12-2013, 12:14 AM	#3 (permalink)
BQMUSIC Groupie Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1	The FIX TO CRAMPING HANDS... I have been playing for over 20 years and I have had this hand/forearm cramping happen more and more over the last few years.. I have pin pointed it to times when I have either had an active week (gym, sports etc..) and not drinking enough water... especially combined with drinking booze.. Now I won't pretend that I don't like having a few pints when I play.. However.. if you hydrate properly.. you will not have this issue.. this is 99% an issue with you simply being dehydrated and your muscles letting you know... you left hand is working overtime and then it cramps.. try drinking beer all day and playing some sporting event - (beach vball, ball hockey etc...) and not hydrating properly...your legs will do the same things...) (it will be fun though!) Drink LOTS of water every day... or at very least.. 2 - 3 days before show.. and cut back on your beers during the show) I usually ramp up on gatoraid a day or two before.. ad even bring a few to the show to sip on instead of a beer. NO MORE ISSUES... have fun.. and happy cramp free playing! BQ

03-15-2010, 03:03 PM	#5 (permalink)
big jambo Groupie Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: scotland Posts: 5	you have to warm up especially if you're doin lots of stretches and barre chords. I don't have a band but play regularly in a local acoustic open mic night, one of my fav songs to play is Message In A Bottle. It's a nightmare on an acoustic with the stretches and barres and the only way I can do it is by playing somethin easier before it to warm up. __________________ beer is for life, not just for christmas

06-13-2013, 09:50 AM	#6 (permalink)
anathematized_one Music Addict Join Date: May 2013 Location: Someplace Awful Posts: 123	I just wanted to throw this out there... If you are on any medications, particularly psychiatric drugs, this could be the root cause or a primary factor. I have, what is for me, perfect form (in other words, it is not perfect but is comfortable to me and doesn't strain myself). Then one day my fretting hand started to cramp up on me whenever I would play. As time went on, it took less and less time for it to cramp. It turned out to be caused by the medication I was on. Sent from my SCH-S720C using Tapatalk 2 __________________ Sardonicus YouTube Channel

03-08-2010, 08:02 PM	#1 (permalink)
SATCHMO Al Dente Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 4,847	I actually used to experience this a lot with many songs that involved a lot of comped jazz-style barre chords, which would result in serious cramping of the muscle between the thumb and first finger. Mr.Dave is very right. Poor form is likely the culprit. It is good to be mindful of your thumb's alignment with the barring fret, as well as how far your thumb extends beyond the neck during normal play, as in when you're not churning out hand mangling barre chords, which, through conditioning, or lack thereof, can have a negative influence on the muscle that is cramping up on you. It's also good to be mindful of whether or not you're exerting more pressure on the barre than what's necessary due to nerves or any other reason.

03-08-2010, 11:36 PM	#4 (permalink)
icastico Groupie Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 19	Warming up before you play helps...treat yourself like an athlete.