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tension in the left hand and shoulder

by jaybee

Hello!

I am experiencing tension in the left shoulder, and to a lesser extent in the left hand when I am playing.

I haven't played in close to 20 years, and recently picked up the guitar again. I hold the guitar on my left leg, and have experimented with using a footstool, not using a footstool, adjusting the chair height, etc. but can't seem to find a solution.

After playing for about a hour, my left shoulder is cramped, as it tends to elevate up in the direction of my left ear. I try to consciously keep the left shoulder relaxed when I am working on scales, but when I move to reading and playing actual music, the tension returns.

Do you have any suggestions to alleviate this problem? I don't want to continue to practice bad habits. My goal is to be able to play with no tension in either arm and hand, as I don't want that tension to be expressed in the sound coming out of my guitar.

Thank you!
jaybee

Hi jaybee,

If you haven't played for 20 or so years and then are doing over an hour pratice in any one session I'd say that's where your problem lies.

You must give your body and muscles time to adjust because they're just not used to it.

Id suggest practicing in smaller blocks of about 15 minutes at a time. It'll give your muscles the break they need and you'll also find your more "fresh" mentally each session.

Breaking up your practice sessions in this manner over the day is the best way. You'll find you're still practicing for the same amount of time but just in smaller blocks.

It's also good that you're noticing the tension and alleviating at the time it occurs. Doing that in the "now", as it were, is the only way to make it a lasting subconscious habit.

I hope this has been of help.

Kind regards,
Trevor M.