hello guys, i think i have mention before that i might developed carpel tunnel on my fretting hand. but a good thing is, that i can fret the guitar with out pain. the only problem i have is when doing pull offs, i only get pain. i already tried many methods and advices, but nothing worked. the only thing i do when there is a part where requires that technique, i use the pick. i think this is a stupid question idk but regarding that issue. will im not be considered a good player due to the fact that i can achieve that technique because some songs require it? what about session guitarists, have they had any type of issue that they had to change their technique? or the ones that hired him just get someone else? idk but ill feel bad or mad when someone will say, hey that part doesnt go like that. lol
Technique question: pull offs
- Thread starter Willy25
- Start date
PFDarkside
of the Forum
Re: Technique question: pull offs
I will answer, but unfortunately I come from the non-professional world and I (thankfully) haven't experienced carpal tunnel.
To me, unless you are a classical player, there are a multitude of techniques that you can use to create music on the guitar. Before Jimi (and even now for some people) putting your thumb over the neck to play bass notes is heresey. Before EVH, using your right hand to fret notes was unheard of. Before Tony Iommi, losing two fingertips on your fretting hand would be a death sentence for playing guitar. Even Mike Ness cutting a tendon on his fretting index could severely hamper a guitar career.
My point is that all of those guitarists changed the way the instrument was played, and be it as a crutch or to further their artistic vision, some of those techniques were adopted into the canon. Heck, bending notes only happened due to folk/blues/pop music, its not a technique in classical.
If you are currently a session musician, it may be an issue, and hopefully physical therapy will help. If you aren't, forge your own path and enjoy playing!
I will answer, but unfortunately I come from the non-professional world and I (thankfully) haven't experienced carpal tunnel.
To me, unless you are a classical player, there are a multitude of techniques that you can use to create music on the guitar. Before Jimi (and even now for some people) putting your thumb over the neck to play bass notes is heresey. Before EVH, using your right hand to fret notes was unheard of. Before Tony Iommi, losing two fingertips on your fretting hand would be a death sentence for playing guitar. Even Mike Ness cutting a tendon on his fretting index could severely hamper a guitar career.
My point is that all of those guitarists changed the way the instrument was played, and be it as a crutch or to further their artistic vision, some of those techniques were adopted into the canon. Heck, bending notes only happened due to folk/blues/pop music, its not a technique in classical.
If you are currently a session musician, it may be an issue, and hopefully physical therapy will help. If you aren't, forge your own path and enjoy playing!
BriGuy1968
New member
Re: Technique question: pull offs
This may seem like a silly question, but why not just have the carpal tunnel surgery? I had it done a couple of years ago and it's been wonderful! Before I had the surgery, my left hand would literally go numb while I was playing... talk about difficulty in doing pull-offs, hammer-ons, and even basic chord shapes! The surgery fixed me right up, though, and now I have more dexterity then I had had in years.
Just a thought…
This may seem like a silly question, but why not just have the carpal tunnel surgery? I had it done a couple of years ago and it's been wonderful! Before I had the surgery, my left hand would literally go numb while I was playing... talk about difficulty in doing pull-offs, hammer-ons, and even basic chord shapes! The surgery fixed me right up, though, and now I have more dexterity then I had had in years.
Just a thought…
Re: Technique question: pull offs
I think i found the issue. i was squeezing the neck with my thumb and fingers at the same time and i stop by just resting the thumb behind the neck and not helping the rest of the fingers. it feels wierd but looks that its helping and i hope i dont get pain again. i forgot that a classical guitarist said once, that the thumb is a passive participant, and to help position the fretting hand.
I think i found the issue. i was squeezing the neck with my thumb and fingers at the same time and i stop by just resting the thumb behind the neck and not helping the rest of the fingers. it feels wierd but looks that its helping and i hope i dont get pain again. i forgot that a classical guitarist said once, that the thumb is a passive participant, and to help position the fretting hand.
Re: Technique question: pull offs
What if you pick every note? You'd be in good company- Steve Morse, Al Di Meola, John McLaughlin, etc seem to do fine without hammer-ons and pull-offs. I'd choose that before I play with pain. Yeah, it will change the sound. Yeah, it won't sound exactly like the recordings you are emulating, but you can play. And it doesn't require much strength in the left hand.
What if you pick every note? You'd be in good company- Steve Morse, Al Di Meola, John McLaughlin, etc seem to do fine without hammer-ons and pull-offs. I'd choose that before I play with pain. Yeah, it will change the sound. Yeah, it won't sound exactly like the recordings you are emulating, but you can play. And it doesn't require much strength in the left hand.
Re: Technique question: pull offs
yeah thats exactly what i was thinking, and i just want to play without thinking about pain i saw a video of a guy on youtube that downpicks everything he plays because he gets pain when he up picks a single string, and his really fast, cant believe it. he made a cover once of master of puppets, all the solos where downpicked and some viewers where being negative. like hey, that part has alternate picking on it you need to work on your technique. hey it doesnt sound like the original you need to work on it harder. for me it sounded good, and its a cover!
yeah thats exactly what i was thinking, and i just want to play without thinking about pain
i saw a video of a guy on youtube that downpicks everything he plays because he gets pain when he up picks a single string, and his really fast, cant believe it. he made a cover once of master of puppets, all the solos where downpicked and some viewers where being negative. like hey, that part has alternate picking on it you need to work on your technique. hey it doesnt sound like the original you need to work on it harder. for me it sounded good, and its a cover!
Re: Technique question: pull offs
When you are in pain, don't worry about what other people say. Play in a way that makes the pain go away. You aren't playing for a YouTube audience. And at a show, no one will care, as long as it sounds good. So, just modify, adjust, and start slowly.
When you are in pain, don't worry about what other people say. Play in a way that makes the pain go away. You aren't playing for a YouTube audience. And at a show, no one will care, as long as it sounds good. So, just modify, adjust, and start slowly.
Re: Technique question: pull offs
Merle Travis practiced that heresy before Jimi.
Look up Django Reinhardt.
Look up Django again. For example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQhTpgicdx4
Merle Travis practiced that heresy before Jimi.
Look up Django Reinhardt.
Look up Django again. For example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQhTpgicdx4
