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GMC Forum _ PRACTICE ROOM _ Stiff Fingers During The Winter

Posted by: Ignite Dec 22 2008, 09:53 AM

I just noticed this after a year of playing (I am a fast player), I couldn't play as fast as I normally could. Do you think this happens because it is colder outside, causing my fingers to stiffen? Or am I just going crazy?!

Posted by: Dejan Farkas Dec 22 2008, 10:04 AM

Do you warm-up your fingers? It is normal that fingers are stiffer when cold, but with proper warmup you can overcome that

So far there are two lessons at GMC on this topic

This is mine
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/3-minutes-warmup-lesson/

and on done by Murcus Siepen
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/solo-guitar/warming-up-with-marcus-siepen/

Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Dec 22 2008, 11:14 AM

You're not crazy mate, just don't practice the guitar outside the house

Just kiddin a bit. As Dejan said it is best to warm up nicely before starting to play. You can't play fast with cold hands. Soak them in hot water for 2-3 minutes this should help them get warm fast, and then warm up about 5-10 minutes with some easy exercises to get them moving. After you feel they are not cold anymore, you should be able to play fast no problem.

Posted by: Matt23 Dec 22 2008, 12:05 PM

During winter my fingers are always a bit stiff. Just get them warm like Ivan or Dejan says. I just play guitar until my fingers are warm but that's probably not teh best way of doing it.

Posted by: Eat-Sleep-andJam Dec 22 2008, 01:03 PM

Assuming your already warmed up.....

Just run your hands under warm water for a little while.

Posted by: Jad Diab Dec 22 2008, 01:07 PM

Or you can also try to put your guitar under warm water ..... lol (but plz don't try this at home)
Anyway, it's true that with cold fingers, I can't even type fast at my keyboard .. so no you're not going crazy

Posted by: botoxfox Dec 22 2008, 02:13 PM

Drink something hot before you start playing, that'll help.

Posted by: Jose Mena Dec 22 2008, 02:50 PM

This happens to me many times, specially on stage, for some reason it is colder, haven't found a solution but simply play and play until it feels comfortable.

Posted by: Bogdan Radovic Dec 22 2008, 03:11 PM

Its perfectly normal to be slower (and stiffer) if your hands are cold..Just warm up as everyone mentioned and you should be ok...I also find that my hands sometimes get cold if I'm nervous or something (in my mind) so I managed to warm them up by concentrating in my head A little hard to do at first but it can be done But regular warmup + hot water routine should do the trick!

Posted by: bleak Dec 22 2008, 05:16 PM

do some star jumps or touch ur toes etc.. anything to get the blood flowing. Then massage ur hands and fingers, because it will increase blood flow which means warmer hands!