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Posted by: thefireball Apr 22 2011, 05:53 PM

Hello, GMC community!

I noticed that when I headbang a lot, and very hard, my neck gets sore. I'm wondering if it's just because I'm tense. I don't know how others on stage do it without killing themselves. I was thinking....this can't be good for our necks. We're gonna grow old with neck problems. ..... Bah! Who cares? Just kidding.

Take a look at this video I did yesterday and tell me what my problem is please.



My neck is sore after this video. (I had a few outtake videos before this too.)

Posted by: Gitarrero Apr 22 2011, 07:56 PM

Do you work out regularly (especially your shoulders)? Do you stretch afterwards? Do you stretch before you bang like that? I suggest you do all of these three things and you should be fine
Christian

Posted by: Rated Htr Apr 22 2011, 08:23 PM

Can't see the movie, copyright essues

Posted by: thefireball Apr 22 2011, 08:26 PM

Ah, I suspect those must be what I'm doing wrong. No I don't stretch or work out.

Posted by: dark dude Apr 22 2011, 09:14 PM

The muscles in your neck aren't used to the movement, you'll injure yourself if you go too hard, too fast.

Let it heal, build it up and you'll be fine.

Posted by: thefireball Apr 22 2011, 09:30 PM

Thank you for that advice. It'll take a few days to re-cooperate. I remember this happened to me the first concert I went to. I rocked out!

Posted by: Azzaboi Apr 22 2011, 09:53 PM

I'm sad to say, but... I would say headbanging is an art, just like rapping...
(90% of them have no idea what they are doing / 70% or more of them totally suck and should of probably not done it in the first place)

Also people normally end up with a headache after doing this.

Step 1) You need to be a metalhead or goth. People are generally found doing this at metal/rock concerts.

Step 2) Stretch your neck before handbanging. Just like you stretch your fingers before shredding up a lick on the guitar. This prevents injury.

Step 3) Start off slowly and work your way up following the tempo. Rhythm nod, nodding your head backwards a bit then flicking forward, repeating with the rhythm. Note: your moving backwards gently and forward a lot (don't jerk back on your neck).

Step 4) Stay in time with the drummer and rhythm.

Step 5) Hard slammer - swinging your head from head height to waist height.

Step 6) Windmill - spin your head in a circle and let hair fly. Best with long rockers haircut style.

Step 7) Professional headbangers bodies usually bang with the head, reducing the strain on the neck and making the body move in a serpentine, up-and-down fashion to the music.

Step 8) Follow up with eyes closed and/or in combination with hand gestures, yelling/screaming, and/or death growls.

Step 9) Have fun!

ps. Awesome vid, but your jerking the neck rather than moving with the body, this would hurt. You body is currently static, it's a real struggle playing the guitar and moving the body lower at the same time, but I think that's your issue.

Posted by: Sollesnes Apr 22 2011, 10:02 PM

Long hair.


But yeah. Your video is blocked in my country, but if you are tense, your neck is just weak. Headbang more, and thus build muscles and stretch, and you'll do fine Ever seen the necks of those old black metal guys? Bull-necks right there

Posted by: Gitarrero Apr 22 2011, 10:50 PM

Seems like all videos are blocked at the moemtn...I didn't have a problem watching it a couple of hours ago...weird stuff.

Posted by: Azzaboi Apr 22 2011, 11:22 PM

Working fine for me, have you tried rebooting!

Posted by: Sollesnes Apr 23 2011, 12:02 AM

QUOTE (Azzaboi @ Apr 23 2011, 12:22 AM)

Posted by: thefireball Apr 23 2011, 12:19 AM

Okay

Posted by: Daniel Realpe Apr 23 2011, 11:53 AM

I don't how the guys in Cannibal corpse for instance headbang throughout the whole set. I guess they are used to it after years. My neck hurts the next day when I head bang too much.

Posted by: Justin Myrick Apr 23 2011, 01:13 PM

QUOTE (Azzaboi @ Apr 22 2011, 08:53 PM)

Posted by: Mudbone Apr 23 2011, 07:06 PM

QUOTE (Daniel Realpe @ Apr 23 2011, 06:53 AM)

Posted by: thefireball Apr 23 2011, 08:19 PM

Glad I'm not alone in the pain, Daniel I'm getting better with it now. Still sore, but not as bad.

Posted by: thefireball Apr 23 2011, 09:11 PM

I disputed the copyright issues for those who wanna view it now.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Apr 23 2011, 10:59 PM

Nice video! I also think that with some warming up and stretching (before & after) you'll solve the problem.

Posted by: thefireball Apr 23 2011, 11:48 PM

Thanks Gabriel!

Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Apr 24 2011, 07:52 PM

Hey nice vid man, just saw it!

Yeah, like everybody said, it's probably the fact that you haven't warmed up your neck muscles and they got stretched too fast. Try to stretch them slowly, and try to relax (if possible) your spine a bit.

Posted by: thefireball Apr 24 2011, 07:57 PM

Yep, certainly something to watch out for next time. Thanks!