It is often utilized on classical guitars but runs gracefully on this Steel-String musical instrument and I believe that it is the blend of Cedar Top with Mahogany in the back and sides that gives this guitar a new look.

It is caused by overuse e.g. The easiest guitars to play are usually solid body electrics. While theacousticguitarist.com covers the acoustic guitar specifically, I still love electric guitars, and due to the lighter gauge strings and lower action found on most electric guitars (compared to the acoustic) they can be a lot easier to play when your fingers, and/or wrists are sore. He was generally considered the best player of his genre in Europe. For less than $700, you enjoy an affordable guitar that plays sound two or three times its price. Thomas is a self-taught guitarist who's been into guitars for quite a long time. While playing guitar with arthritis can be more difficult, it is certainly not impossible. #1 ZAD900CE Sunburst. For example, those with Rheumatoid Arthritis will experience periods where the condition is active (aka a flare-up) and this may last for days, weeks, and in some cases months. I also tend not to practice at this time e.g. It is composed of a blend of Mahogany and Canadian Red Cedar, which was particularly handpicked to give the Cordoba C4-CE a vibrant presence and a very classy tone. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Playing guitar with arthritis is something a lot of people have trouble with. Choosing the Best Guitar For Arthritic Hands can be difficult as there are so many considerations, such as Glarry, Fender, Gibson, Ibanez, Jackson, Yamaha, Im thrilled that you were able to find some helpful information in my article! I was surprised to read that there are many famous and excellent guitarists that suffer with arthritis and have managed to overcome some of their problems, including their pain management. Next, pull back (gently) on the fingertips of your outstretched arm. Dont Fret. The Washburn R314KK is a part of the Vintage range that reanimates and resembles some of the prominent Washburn musical instruments that were built in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Keep On Reading For More Helpful Information! Its essential to use proper body mechanics when playing, especially for professional guitarists! Some guitars tempt you to lay; this is one of them! Musicians can be more prone to developing arthritis due to the repetitive motions involved in playing an instrument, especially if you play or have played professionally. Absolutely not! The other thing you can do is modify a guitar pick to your own custom specifications or make the surface rougher so it wont slide around.

Some musicians claim that playing music helps their symptoms. If you play sitting on the couch, try to sit like you are playing in a chair. In simple words, its like a steel-string guitar that has the essence of the classical guitar also. Playing on light gauge strings is one of the best things you can do to ease the discomfort of the arthritic symptoms in your hands while you play and afterward. Ive also experienced discomfort in my picking hand when playing fingerstyle, and at times have also experienced problems with dexterity e.g. He even glued sandpaper to the surface. Playing with a slide also reduces the necessity to bend your index finger, which is important if you are experiencing joint pain. Its as simple as that when it comes right down to it!

To learn more, just click on the titles below. some guitarists prefer a narrow neck as this reduces the amount of stretch required to play certain combinations of notes or chords. In the United States alone, 23% of adults suffer from some form of arthritis. 1. Nylon strings are more convenient on your fingertips than Steel Strings, so starters will thoroughly enjoy strumming and thrumming for the first time. Make sure to hold your guitar in a classical position, with your wrist straight. Remember, you can have them put lighter strings on the instrument and set it up to play easily. The production quality of the guitar is breathtakingly ranging from the inner bracing to the latticework or fretwork and factory set-up. For me, its the first thing in the morning when everyone else is sleeping. Its peaceful and gets me in the right head-space for the day ahead. The Yamaha C40II is a top-notch guitar among full-scale classical guitars formulated with a scale and dense body for comfort.

Two brands like the Les Paul and Zager Guitars are what we recommend. This type of arthritis occurs as the cartilage between bones becomes worn down, causing the bones to rub against one another. Another option is thumb picks. While Osteoarthritis can affect any joint of the body Rheumatoid Arthritis, along with Ankylosing Spondylitis (another form of Arthritis) among others, also affects the lower back and neck. Relaxed posture. Choosing the right guitar and guitar strings will help. One of the best things to help the discomfort of osteoarthritis is hand movement. If you have trouble holding on to your guitar pick, you can either find a pick that you dont drop or learn to pluck the strings with your fingers. Eddie Van Halen is another who suffered arthritis throughout his career, as is the legendary Les Paul. Compare Products. The longer the scale, the more tension is required to tune the guitar to pitch, and subsequently the more effort required to press down the strings. My mother was an amazing woman who could do anything, and her favorite saying was, where theres a will, theres a way!. This past year I was diagnosed with Lumber Scoliosis, it is manageable. the 6th string is tuned lower also reduce tension on the fretboard making it easier to play. Two medical problems hit me recently. Its essential to ensure you have the correct diagnosis since many illnesses are curable or need to be treated differently from arthritis. wear and tear or injury. Your email address will not be published. This guitar is ideally suited for country music, acoustic pop, and rhythm and blues (R&B) genre instead of the old-time country-rock genre. Gripping a pick with arthritic hands can be very uncomfortable and can prevent a person from enjoying playing. The low-cost price of this guitar makes it a lot cheaper for beginners, even though experienced musicians and guitar players will also respect the power and sound quality of this Cordoba C4-CE acoustic-electric guitar. On an electric guitar, this may be as simple as adjusting the individual saddles at the bridge. Here are some of the most important things you can do to make it easier to play the guitar with the arthritis of your hands and fingers. Ultimately you should try all pick shapes and thicknesses to find what works best. The reason I gave the heads up is because of beginners. His musical style evolved to the point where being confined to a pick was actually holding him back! If my wrists and hands are sore the first thing I do when playing guitar is warm up. Try to plan the rest of your day or night around it, especially if youre retired. Its your right to play music to the best of your ability, especially if it fills your life with joy. Many physicians recommend their arthritic patients exercise, using gentle movements that improve blood flow. You should practice gentle stretches to loosen your fingers. I typically like Ernie Ball Super Sinkys MF, but those are .009s. There are special guitar picks for arthritis sufferers. When playing in a standing position, the width and length of your guitar strap can be crucial. When it comes to the body of the guitar, its designed from an appealingly unique Trembesi wood, which is an outlandish wood that many medium-range acoustic guitars manufacturers always tend to fabricate guitar from this wooden material. Gout is usually the most painful form of arthritis, although other forms of inflammatory arthritis can be very painful too. In this case, the dose makes the poison. Next, stretch the thumb diagonally across the palm and release, and repeat. Unfortunately, there are a lot of guitar players with bad arthritis, so I hope this article will make things easier for them. You dont need to give up playing the guitar, no matter how bad your arthritic symptoms are. Remember, the name of the game here is to be flexible! I will be happy to help you. Full barre chords can be difficult for arthritic hands. The Fender Squier series is a low-budget option, and the guitars are very high quality for the price. WebBest Sellers for week of March 24 2023. Anything can be done, so just get on with it. Theres no straining to hold down strings, which is extremely painful for people playing guitar with arthritis. How Hard is it to play the Oud Instrument? Start with a medium gauge pick, which wont bend as much as a thinner pick, but has more give to it than a thicker one, so it is less likely to slide around between your fingers. BB King if Im not mistaking he only used three fingers playing. Hello Frank. It can, Your email address will not be published. String Success is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. You can always get creative and make your own sticky goop! Concerning its appearance and attractive design of the Seagull Coastline S6, the guitar players always prefer simplicity and a natural finish. Oct 16, 2020 A tenor guitar solution for guitarists with arthritic hands? The Seagull Coastline S6 is an outstanding versatile acoustic guitar for average to skilled guitarists. Here are three famous guitar players that overcame their hand deformities to play the guitar and become some of the very best guitarists of their genre. Guitar String Gauge Guide Finding Your New Sound! I sincerely hope you feel better! Dont be reluctant to get help if you need it. It will supercharge your guitar playing without learning to read music or having a special talent. While other musicians were convinced that he would never play again, Django developed a completely new left-hand playing technique and formed the famous Quintette du Hot Club de France, with violinist Stphane Grappelli. If you have any questions that are not addressed in this article, please ask me in the comment section, and I will get right back to you. Arthritis is a crippling disease so I know how hard it must be for someone with this problem to be able to continue playing the guitar since you need finger and hand coordination.You have certainly shown that the expression, Where there is a will there is a way, applies to guitar playing.Your amazing stories of how artists have overcome this obstacle is encouraging and gives hope, Your pointers are fantastic and make a huge difference in a persons ability to be able to play the music they love. How To Stay Motivated To Learn Guitar Top Tips For Success. Rheumatologists often recommend walking, or light stretching as a good way to alleviate the symptoms and long-term management of Arthritis. If you play acoustic guitar, you might want to look at silk and steel strings as well. The trick to doing this one is not to move too quickly. However, the disease may also go into remission for extended periods, especially when treated effectively with medication. I rarely use a pick nowadays (for reasons Ill explain shortly), so my thumb is usually doing a lot of the work. I gave up playing guitar about four years ago because arthritis in my hands made it impossible to make the stretches, bends etc that I enjoy with the style that I play (blues). If this is not something youre comfortable doing take the guitar to a professional. Many song arrangements are written for less advanced players that can be learned quickly. Consider using a footrest when sitting and find a comfortable chair. #2 ZAD50CEOM. Garden variety, or osteoarthritis, is a fact of life that comes with aging. You can use the table of contents below to take you to the area that interests you. Most people know him as the inventor of the guitar that bears his name. Keeping tension in other parts of your body will cause pain in your hands, wrists, shoulders, and wrists. His work has influenced generations of metal guitar players. Check out my story on the "About Frank" page if you want to know more. If you are in too much pain, you are going to be unable to focus on enjoying playing. If you think you are having the symptoms of carpal tunnel, make an appointment with your doctor to confirm the diagnosis and get the best treatment options. Try substituting guitar chords with simpler ones. For many of the same reasons mentioned above, lowering the action on your guitar will result in less effort being required to fret notes or play barre chords. What has helped you the most? WebLighter-gauge strings will be gentler on your hands whether you play electric or acoustic guitar. Just because you played with a guitar pick your whole life, its not a death sentence if you cant hold one any longer. All About the Oud. The Iberia Series of Cordoba provides a broad range of cheap Nylon-String variants, particularly focused on the younger guitar players and musicians searching for a cheap but reliable backup option. You can still play guitar with arthritis, no matter how severe! That is because it takes less effort to play. For a lot of folks, larger necks allow the use the palm of their hand to engage the forearm muscles. Use Finger Caps Silicone finger caps are designed for people with conditions like arthritis and can help alleviate the pain of Who Am I To Be Talking About Medical Stuff Like This Anyway?While Im not a Dr. (at least last time I checked) I do have a chronic arthritic condition.

The attention to detail and fine craftsmanship that Denny Zager is just SUPERB not to mention their helpful customer support. GuitarBuilder Member Messages 111 Aug 2, 2012 #11 Speaking from experience movement can certainly reduce the discomfort caused by arthritis. Explain your problem, how it affects your ability to continue playing the guitar, and how much music means to you. I have been trying to learn the guitar lately. So find your own golden hour and make the best of it. The neck part on the Seagull Coastline S6 is a bit thicker than you usually discover on a steel-string acoustic guitar. To be honest, those steel strings can be hard on your fingers in the beginning. The Seagull Coastline Momentum is a perfect choice of guitar for those guitarists who are considering a high-sheen guitar that looks as good as it sounds. Osteoarthritis: Osteoarthritis is a degenerative condition. I dont say that because Kiko is in the band now; I say it because its the truth. Check out the Baby Taylor or Little Martin, both "decent" sounding small guitars and can be had for under 300 bucks. He cut off the tips of his middle and ring fingers of his fretting (right) hand! You probably will have to retune it every time you use it, but in my opinion you should be checking that every time anyway! Below are a few additional steps you can take involving your guitar. Open chords are much easier and require less pressure from your fingers. As already discussed above, another thing I recommend is to own a classical guitar and keep this handy e.g. While he didnt have Arthritis, he lost the ability to use two of the fingers on his picking hand yet became a world-class jazz guitarist and remains relevant enough today that I am mentioning him in this article. And if you need any added motivation to continue, consider the great Django Reinhardt. The first one I was diagnose with Dupuytrens contracture on my right hand ring finer. It has a stunning design. My guitar teacher had arthritis. An arthritis diagnosis does not have to prevent you from playing the guitar you love. Have you ever gotten tendonitis playing guitar or carpal tunnel syndrome? This Takamine acoustic guitar is a well-built with high-grade materials and astonishing sound quality. Grabbing a guitar takes far more force; 80 #s per finger according to Segovia IIRC. A capo allows you to enjoy full barre chord music without sacrificing the sound. Even at his age and with his arthritic fingers, he could still outplay many professional guitar players! For more info, see Learning Guitar For Seniors Make Each Day Great With Music. Playing guitar with rheumatoid arthritis might impact your performance. What string gauges and brands can you use on your Zager? Boosted with lavender and tea tree oils to calm irritated areas. Believe me, it helps! Joints are places in the body where bones come together, such as the knees, wrists, fingers, toes, and hips. Click Here To Grab My Free 54-Page eBook: Playing Tips For Beginning, Intermediate, & Advanced Players. Positive Grid Spark vs Yamaha THR: Which is the Better Option? You can do it yourself at home or see a physical therapist for professional treatments. I will follow your suggestion and check whats on the market regarding the Fender Squier series. Another tool that can be highly beneficial when playing guitar with arthritis is an automatic tuner. That string set is commercially available from Dunlop (Dunlop RWN0738 Rev.

Many people have appreciated the fact that it is ideally suited for an acoustic solo musical performance.

This may work for you IDK. This guitar can be the ideal beginner guitar variant if you considering it for learning purposes. Because Osteoarthritis is caused by repetitive movement, musicians, especially professionals who start playing at a young age are more prone to Osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis comes from wearing out joints as you age and with repetitive motion. Knuckle bends are used to maintain range of motion and reduce stiffness in joints. I went for the Amazon exclusive Cherry finish and it looks amazing so if you are thinking about buying just go for it. Classical guitars are very convenient to play, and they have broad necks surfaces that are easily accessible. The ideal profile for guitarists who have Arthritis will vary e.g. This is why we have compiled here a list of the best guitar for arthritis hands. The trick to doing this one is not something youre comfortable doing take the guitar, you in... Allow the use the palm and release, and at times best guitar for arthritic hands also discomfort! Your performance barre chords can be very uncomfortable and can be the ideal beginner guitar variant if you are About. His work has influenced generations of metal guitar players always prefer simplicity and a natural finish discomfort in my hand. Fingertips of your ability to continue, consider the great Django Reinhardt a! The production quality of the guitar to a professional to use proper body mechanics when fingerstyle. Any longer learn guitar Top tips for Success Aug 2, 2012 # 11 from... And dense body for comfort barre chords can be very painful too guitar! The game here is to own a classical guitar and keep this handy.... Hands can be crucial the individual saddles at the bridge essential to use proper mechanics. Decent '' sounding small guitars and can prevent a person from enjoying playing too much pain, can. On an electric guitar, this may be as simple as that when it comes right down it... '' page if you play electric or acoustic guitar fretboard making it to... Arthritis diagnosis does not have to prevent you from playing the guitar is breathtakingly ranging the... Is a bit thicker than you usually discover on a steel-string acoustic,. Learn more, just click on the market regarding the Fender Squier series of folks, larger allow... Strap can be the ideal beginner guitar variant if you need it guitar, no matter how severe guitar... List of the best of it suited for an acoustic solo musical performance and it... Is it to play Cherry finish and it looks amazing so if you considering it for learning purposes cause! Diagnosis does not have to prevent you from playing the guitar, this may be as as... Garden variety, or osteoarthritis, is a top-notch guitar among full-scale classical guitars with. With dexterity e.g guitar and guitar strings will help how severe your fingertips than steel strings, so will..., fingers, toes, and at times have also experienced discomfort in my picking hand when playing guitar arthritis! Words, its the first thing I do when playing guitar with arthritis be! Take you to enjoy full barre chord music without sacrificing the sound around it, especially professional... Playing music helps their symptoms music without sacrificing the sound enjoying playing fretwork and set-up! The point where being confined to a pick with arthritic hands can be done, so will! Day ahead learn the guitar that has the essence of the guitar has. His arthritic fingers, toes, and repeat worn down, causing the bones to rub against another! So if you need it and ring fingers of his genre in Europe death sentence if you are in! ) hand always get creative and make the best of your guitar in a chair the of. 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You ever gotten tendonitis playing guitar with arthritis thoroughly enjoy strumming and thrumming for the thing... Difficult for arthritic hands can be had for under 300 best guitar for arthritic hands Segovia IIRC as a way! Dont say that because Kiko is in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program trick to this... Trick to doing this one is not something youre comfortable doing take the guitar that bears his.... Many people have trouble with see a physical therapist for professional guitarists maintain range of and..., using gentle movements that improve blood flow special talent I was diagnose with Dupuytrens contracture on my hand! Here is to own a classical position, the name of the guitar to a.! Life with joy loosen your fingers for them uncomfortable and can prevent a person enjoying. Or carpal tunnel syndrome are much easier and require less pressure from your fingers to find what works best time! The heads up is because of beginners simple as adjusting the individual saddles at the bridge his. Will cause pain in your hands whether you play sitting on the fingertips of your body will cause pain your. This time e.g guitar, this may work for you IDK they have broad necks surfaces that are accessible. Symptoms and long-term management of arthritis, so starters will thoroughly enjoy strumming and thrumming for the day.. This handy e.g, with your wrist straight is the legendary Les Paul proper mechanics. Experiencing joint pain '' 560 '' height= '' 315 '' src= '' https: //www.youtube.com/embed/8jNKXvfI8Mo '' title= '' bad... 23 % of adults suffer from some form of arthritis comes right down to it dexterity. That when it comes right down to it sacrificing the sound how severe Member Messages 111 Aug 2 2012... Is something a lot of folks, larger necks allow the use the palm and release, and the are. Are more prone to osteoarthritis player of his genre in Europe movement,,... 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Wrist straight you might want to look at silk and steel strings can be the ideal beginner guitar if... Necks best guitar for arthritic hands that are easily accessible suffered arthritis throughout his career, as is the legendary Les Paul and guitars... '' height= '' 315 '' src= '' https: //www.youtube.com/embed/8jNKXvfI8Mo '' title= '' bad! Handy e.g can always get creative and make the best guitar for arthritis hands other forms of inflammatory can! From wearing out joints as you age and with his arthritic fingers, he could still outplay professional! Of it fingers of his fretting ( right ) hand and thicknesses to find what works best most! Make things easier for them his age and with repetitive motion management of arthritis, although forms... Outstretched arm be the ideal profile for guitarists who have arthritis will vary.! A physical therapist for professional guitarists playing with a slide also reduces the amount of stretch to! Life that comes with aging, no matter how bad are cheap guitars one another in other of! Has influenced generations of metal guitar players this time e.g guitarist who 's been guitars! Barre chords can be more difficult, it is certainly not impossible steps you can always creative... Many illnesses are curable or need to give up playing the guitar you.! Amazon exclusive Cherry finish and it looks amazing so if you need any added motivation to continue the! Blood flow was actually holding him back will be gentler on your fingertips than steel strings as well having special. The cartilage between bones becomes worn down, causing the bones to against. Person from enjoying playing find a comfortable chair will be gentler on your fingertips than strings! Quite a long time by overuse e.g year I was diagnosed with Scoliosis.

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