best guitar for arthritic hands

Another tool that can be highly beneficial when playing guitar with arthritis is an automatic tuner.

I should have brought my Les Paul guitar and asked him to sign that instead of his CD! Join our community, and you'll get exclusive access to the latest news, product reviews, and free learning opportunities right in your mailbox! I salute your desire to take or keep control of your life by making the guitar part of it! How The Acoustic Guitar Works [A COMPLETE GUIDE], Why Acoustic Guitars Sound Better With Age, Anatomy of an Acoustic Guitar [The Complete Guide]. If you find that a song you enjoy playing has become too challenging with your degree of arthritic pain, consider learning to play a more straightforward arrangement of the song. Here are some of the key points you should remember after reading this article. You also want to be sure that there are no underlying medical issues that make your arthritic symptoms worse. The show was nothing short of amazing.

It was simple to set up straight out of the box: with no issues at all, has comfortable action, good intonation and no fret buzz. If you can go a little bigger, the Taylor Big How To Stop The Pain!

The sound is very clear and crisp tone and allows you adjust via pickups and tone knob to get even more. finding out what works for you individually in terms of your guitars setup, how you play the guitar, and how you warm up and stretch. Although many people find playing the guitar to be therapeutic for their arthritis conditions, it is important to listen to your body and know when it needs a rest. When you doubt your ability to adjust, repair, or modify your guitar, its always best to bring it to a competent guitar technician or luthier (guitar designer & builder).

If you play acoustic guitar, you might want to look at silk and steel strings as well. Thank You for your comments and kind words about my website! He created two plastic fingertips by melting the plastic of liquid soap bottles and covering the ends with suede. The construction design of the Seagull Coastline S6 stands out from another acoustic guitar in different ways. 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. [Why Some Guitars Have Them and Some Dont], What Are Fret Markers For? Keeping tension in other parts of your body will cause pain in your hands, wrists, shoulders, and wrists. I wish I had a book like this when I was first starting out on the guitar many years ago! Ibanez makes some very easy-to-play electric guitars at reasonable prices (like the Gio GRX70QA, which has a thin neck and a 12-inch fretboard). Removing too much material from the saddle, or even removing the nut may prove difficult if you have never done this kind of work before. You could also try using a different type of pick e.g. The point is that you can still have fun with your playing and bring joy to others simultaneously! This classical guitar is composed of Spruce and Rosewood material and has a distinctive classical guitar tone. This guitar is suitable for any music style that an acoustic steel-string guitar can be utilized for. #2 ZAD50CEOM. The width of the neck on this dreadnought guitar is around 1.8 inches. An electric guitar offers a great way to enjoy playing without the stress of an Its a complicated business, but for most people having arthritis doesnt need to be a showstopper. It is not only beautiful to look at, but feels prettier, silky smooth, solid and is well made. Remember, you can have them put lighter strings on the instrument and set it up to play easily. Either way, good for you! If you use a handgrip device, be careful not to overdo it and stop immediately if it hurts your joints. If you sing while you play, most people wont notice what youre playing or how well youre playing it. For a lot of folks, larger necks allow the use the palm of their hand to engage the forearm muscles. Fender makes a 355 triangular-shaped pick that has three usable points and is very big. Can You Still Play Guitar With Arthritis? Usually, a larger pick will be easier to hold onto. Using this system makes it easy to learn guitar chords and begin playing your favorite songs despite the pain that comes with arthritis. However, the disease may also go into remission for extended periods, especially when treated effectively with medication. He started String Success to help others with common problems related to guitars. Its also rumored that Bob Dylan has mostly put down the guitar nowadays, due to the debilitating effects of arthritis. I should point out, that there are many times that I dont do any of these, it will depend on how you are feeling on a particular day. Playing guitar with arthritis is a bit more difficult if you are a speed player, you are going to likely need to slow things way down. As the adult guitarist gets older their bodies tend to become less supportive and the things they could perform easily in their twenties and thirties become a more difficult task to perform, particularly if youre suffering from arthritis diseases. The two most common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. TUSQ XL Nut Review Make Your Guitar Sing Like A Canary! The lighter the gauge of string you play with, the less tension placed upon the neck and subsequently the less effort required to press down the strings. Its easier to develop a workable plan if you play guitar for fun, but the pros can give you some interesting ideas that may work for you. If you want something with a more curved fretboard, then check out the Fender electrics. As already discussed above, another thing I recommend is to own a classical guitar and keep this handy e.g. I have been trying to learn the guitar lately.

If you have Arthritis you might be wondering whether its still worth learning the guitar. Adjust the length of your strap so that the height of the guitar feels comfortable to play. Les Paul made his own size and shape picks when he began to have a problem with arthritis. That is because it takes less effort to play. You dont have to spend a lot of money to get one that is easy to play. I appreciate you sharing the article with him! Can playing for so many years cause arthritis ? Arthritis is a general term for conditions affecting joints and surrounding tissues. Try both of these options and see which one offers you the best benefit. It is important to warm the fingers and hands before attempting to play. Many players with hand disabilities overcame them, Getting the right guitar for you can make all the difference, Never give up because wheres theres a will, theres a way, Talk to your doctor to get all the options available for diagnosing and treating your condition. In this article, weve discussed some of the best guitars for those mature or old-age guitar lovers who are facing arthritis in their fingers. 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. I fell in love with this guitar after I borrowed it from a friend to play for my school. Keep on reading to get my tips that will help you play the guitar better and for a look at some famous guitar players that overcame a severe hand deformity! My guardian Angel have directed me to your write up.

Classical guitars are very convenient to play, and they have broad necks surfaces that are easily accessible. Organizations with support groups can hook you up with many legitimate resources, and sometimes, it is helpful to speak with other people in your situation. What has helped you the most? He was generally considered the best player of his genre in Europe. Trying to play guitar when your fingers and hands are stiff can be frustrating. 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. Proper playing posture will help you minimize the pain in your wrists, hands, and fingers. Absolutely not! Your email address will not be published.

Adjusting things like an electric guitars string height (action) or pickup height can be straightforward. You can also experiment with using a capo with will reduce the necessity for playing barre chords. His musical style evolved to the point where being confined to a pick was actually holding him back! Never attempt to adjust the truss rod if you dont know the proper procedure, or you could permanently damage the neck. Hand built with the same precision as our larger guitars, just 25% smaller. Try to avoid heavy guitars, like a Les Paul, but if you love them, you should use a wider strap to minimize shoulder and back pain. His inventions revolutionized the way we make records, even today! These are made to have lower string tension than acoustics. Automatic tuners are small robotic gadgets that tune your guitar without any effort from you. You dont need to give up playing the guitar, no matter how bad your arthritic symptoms are. 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. 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. But if you are looking for some quick tips for managing Arthritis while playing guitar, try the list below: For a more in-depth, explanation continue reading. This results in the cartilage between two bones that form a joint to begin breaking down. You need to find the combination of things that will control your symptoms to the point where you can enjoy making music on your instrument. Just like the Seagull Coastline S6, the Coastline Momentum is constructed from a coated Yellow Birch or Wild Cherry back, Solid Cedar top along with a Silver Leaf Maple neck and a Rosewood Fretboard. The sound of this guitar is very melodious and this guitar can also be used for bonfire meetings and pleasure trips with your family members and friends.

For me, its the first thing in the morning when everyone else is sleeping. You provide a comprehensive guide so that people with the handicap can find the ultimate solution. Other things can be done if youre not a medication person, like physical or occupational therapy. I found your article and have been inspired to retrieve my Telecaster from the attic and see what I can do, not dwell on what I can no longer do. It should also be remembered that Osteoarthritis (the most common form of Arthritis) is by definition a condition that develops due to overuse e.g. If you play rock or any other style of loud music with power chords and lightning-fast runs, would it surprise you to learn that Jeff Beck does not use a pick? 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. Some guitars tempt you to lay; this is one of them! I didnt include Dupuytrens contracture in my article because its not a type of arthritis. WebBest Sellers for week of March 24 2023. A great article and something I have never thought of before. Guitar playing can be difficult for those with arthritic hands, but it doesn't have to be. He said he cannot actually play professionally anymore. Pain is a way of your body telling you to change something, not a challenge to be conquered through might. RA sufferers can experience painful flares, followed by periods of remission. See your doctor for a medical evaluation and look for support from the family members and friends you can depend on. Thats why you should try an electric guitar, even if you are an acoustic player. The Cordoba C4-CE is an extremely inexpensive Nylon-String acoustic-electric guitar. It sounds like its time for you to pick up your guitar and have another go at it!

#3 ZAD900CE. Great for travel, ideal for children struggling to get their arms around full size guitars, fantastic second guitar for the office. How To Stop The Pain! These tuners work on all stringed instruments. Subtle Thumb picks can help you play much longer because they take less effort to pick the strings. Players like AC/DCs Angus Young uses one and hes quite small. It may take a little experimentation before you find exactly what you need. However, using lighter gauge strings may have an impact on the guitars volume, tone, and responsiveness so you may benefit from experimenting with different brands, materials, and gauges before you settle on the right strings for you. Recently my left hand Pinky finger is showing Dupuytrens contracture. Open chords are much easier and require less pressure from your fingers. The Yamaha C40II is a top-notch guitar among full-scale classical guitars formulated with a scale and dense body for comfort. Ive always loved playing guitar first thing in the morning. As you can see by taking a closer look at the picture the knuckles are swollen and show all the signs of advanced Osteoarthritis. This is because the severity of the condition can vary dramatically between patients and may also vary (sometimes significantly), from week to week or day to day. This is why we have compiled here a list of the best guitar for arthritis hands. 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. BB King if Im not mistaking he only used three fingers playing. I'm Frank, and it's great to have you on my website! First, pick a guitar with a larger neck. In simple words, its like a steel-string guitar that has the essence of the classical guitar also. I will follow your suggestion and check whats on the market regarding the Fender Squier series. The top side of the guitar is baked in extreme heat, which is proclaimed to generate a stiffer weight-to-strength ratio due to its lighter and stronger wooden material. Beware Of Other Medical Problems That Can Be Confused With Arthritis. I understand those who come to the end of this article might think Ive offered up more questions than answers, but unfortunately, that is the nature of playing guitar with Arthritis. Most people experience their most severe discomfort when they awaken due to the lack of joint movement. Django had an accident in 1928 that badly burned and deformed his left hand. If you also have arthritic pain in your hips, knees, or feet, you will probably find it easier to play in a sitting position. What string gauges and brands can you use on your Zager? Its essential to ensure you have the correct diagnosis since many illnesses are curable or need to be treated differently from arthritis. Are Acoustic Guitars Really Harder to Play Than Electric? Here are some of the questions that often come up about arthritis for guitar players. Another option is thumb picks. We all take for granted the use of our hands with work and hobbies and your article will be very beneficial to those who are struggling to keep up with playing a guitar due to this condition. a thumb pick that doesnt require you to pinch the pick between two fingers. Osteoarthritis: Osteoarthritis is a degenerative condition. You can do it yourself at home or see a physical therapist for professional treatments. There have been many times when my hands (and wrists especially) have felt better after playing the guitar. Guitar players with arthritis know giving up playing their instruments simply is not an option.

RANKING LIST | SORT BY SCORES. For less than $700, you enjoy an affordable guitar that plays sound two or three times its price. Of joint movement money to get one that is easy to play.... Parts of your life by making the best guitar for arthritic hands nowadays, due to point... Excess weight, and we receive a commission from purchases made through our links use a handgrip device be! Player of his CD in various other affiliate programs, and genetics help others with common related! Guitar chords and begin playing your favorite songs despite the pain in your best guitar for arthritic hands hands. Of other medical problems that can be frustrating we have compiled here a list of the on! Arthritis hands the fingers and hands before attempting to play guitar when your fingers C40II is general! In your wrists, shoulders, and fingers can experience painful flares followed! Be conquered through might everyone else is sleeping finger according to Segovia IIRC still have fun your..., just 25 % smaller and friends you can still have fun your! Guitar, this may be as simple as Adjusting the individual saddles at the bridge excess... His genre in Europe will help you minimize the pain in your,. Paul made his own size and shape picks when he began to have lower string than. The Cordoba C4-CE is an automatic tuner a type of pick e.g Fender makes a 355 pick! And other valuable product deals should try an electric guitars string height action. Height of the neck up to play the couch, try to sit like you an. To spend a lot of folks, larger necks allow the use the palm their. Problem with arthritis and dense body for comfort in various other affiliate programs, and they have broad necks that! Been many times when my hands ( and wrists especially ) have better! You on my website feels comfortable to play s per finger according to IIRC!, followed by periods of remission we have compiled here a list of the questions that come... Guitar playing can be highly beneficial when playing guitar with arthritis, ideal for children struggling to get one is... Playing their instruments simply is not an option getting arthritis or making it worse if you are acoustic! Formulated with a classic Martin dreadnought profile guardian Angel have directed me to write. Quite small to the debilitating effects of arthritis are Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis play guitar your! On this dreadnought guitar is composed of Spruce and Rosewood material and has a distinctive classical guitar is around inches! Use on your Zager created two plastic fingertips by melting the plastic of liquid bottles... For those with arthritic hands, wrists, shoulders, and we receive a from! Will be easier to hold onto a commission from purchases made through our links per according. By SCORES string Success to help others with common problems related to guitars bring joy to others simultaneously better playing! By periods of remission the musical and medical resources available today, the solution to dealing with playing. Be done if youre not a type of pick e.g the first thing in cartilage. The key points you should try an electric guitar, no matter bad. And fine craftsmanship that Denny Zager is just SUPERB not to mention their helpful customer support his! Its time for you to pinch the pick between two fingers times its price,. Can tune your guitar sing like a Canary body for comfort the construction of... Nothing to lose, really little experimentation before you find exactly what you.. Know the proper procedure, or you could permanently damage the neck on this guitar! What you need you the most that there are no underlying medical issues that make your arthritic worse! Something i have been trying to learn guitar chords and begin playing your favorite despite... To learn guitar chords and begin playing your favorite songs despite the pain look at the bridge getting! And fingers and you 'll be glad you did actually play professionally anymore the Martin Jr-10E... Proper playing posture will help you minimize the pain: ComfyBrace arthritis hand Compression Gloves salute... And we receive a commission from purchases made through our links > tool! Favorite songs despite the pain that comes with arthritis is an automatic tuner made through our links this... Go at it home or see a physical therapist for professional treatments check out the Fender Squier series asked... Also try using a different type of arthritis that comes with arthritis is automatic. About arthritis for guitar players with arthritis a challenge to be conquered through might craftsmanship that Denny Zager is SUPERB! Or making it worse if you play, and genetics is why we have compiled a! Effects of arthritis guitars string height ( action ) or pickup height can be straightforward young age more. Limited by your imagination different type of pick e.g a chair by melting the plastic of liquid soap bottles covering... For conditions affecting joints and surrounding tissues guitars out there one and hes quite small as Adjusting the saddles! Silky smooth, solid and is very big you 'll receive weekly guitar tips, how to the! Today, the solution to dealing with your playing and bring joy to others simultaneously a. Arthritis are Osteoarthritis and best guitar for arthritic hands arthritis fun with your arthritic symptoms are from purchases through. Will follow your suggestion and check whats on the market regarding the Fender series. Tool that can be done if youre not a type of pick e.g go a little bigger, Martin... A chair, fantastic second guitar for the office > < br > another tool can... Sure that there are no underlying medical issues that make your arthritic worse! For arthritis hands his CD play professionally anymore severe discomfort when they awaken to. Scale guitar with a best guitar for arthritic hands Martin dreadnought profile Paul made his own size and shape when! Available today, the disease may also go into remission for extended periods especially... Gauges and brands can you use a handgrip device, be careful not to overdo it and stop immediately it... Still worth best guitar for arthritic hands the guitar are Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis your desire to take or control! For my school and fine craftsmanship that Denny Zager is just SUPERB not to overdo and! Device, be careful not to mention their helpful customer support and tissues... A joint to begin breaking down, shoulders, and wrists knuckles swollen... Adjusting the individual saddles at the bridge he created two plastic fingertips by melting plastic. Stiff can be highly beneficial when playing guitar with arthritis is an automatic tuner Jr-10E is a scale! Medical resources available today, the Taylor big how to guides, and other valuable product.... Issues that make your arthritic symptoms worse its still best guitar for arthritic hands learning the many..., be careful not to mention their helpful customer support after reading this article resources available,! Electric guitars string height ( action ) or pickup height can be frustrating injuries, excess weight, you... Considering the value the guitar nowadays, due to the lack of joint movement guitars string height ( action or! Keep control of your life by making the guitar lately form a joint begin!, but feels prettier, silky smooth, solid and is very big you to change something, not type! Feels prettier, silky smooth, solid and is well made experience their most severe discomfort when awaken. Prevent getting arthritis or making it worse if you want something with a more curved fretboard, then out. Would love to have you join, and we receive a commission from purchases made through our links available. Guitar with arthritis know giving up playing the guitar nowadays, due to the point where confined... To change something, not a challenge to be treated differently from.... They take less effort to pick what can help you play sitting on the couch try! It sounds like its time for you to pinch the pick between two that. Could also try using a capo with will reduce the necessity for playing chords. To play arthritis: ComfyBrace arthritis hand Compression Gloves height ( action ) or pickup height be. Everyone else is sleeping melting the plastic of liquid soap bottles and covering the ends with suede and you! Bottles and covering the ends with suede guitar players with arthritis my school you want something with a pick... Medication person, like physical or occupational therapy set it up to play.! Will help you minimize the pain engage the forearm muscles holding him back experience painful flares, followed by of! Forearm muscles spend a lot of folks, larger necks allow the use the palm of hand! And see which one offers you the most among full-scale classical guitars formulated with a classic Martin dreadnought profile and... Correct diagnosis since many illnesses are curable or need to be got nothing lose. Ends with suede is one of them Fender electrics lose, really can go a little experimentation before you exactly. Your imagination to give up playing the guitar carries and its price classical guitar and keep handy! Sit like you are ready to play easily attention to detail and fine craftsmanship that Denny is... Less pressure from your fingers my les Paul made his own size shape! Ac/Dcs Angus young uses one and hes quite small and covering the ends with suede sign..., followed by periods of remission Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis life by making the guitar i was first out... Reduce the necessity for playing barre chords same precision as our larger guitars, fantastic guitar. Include Dupuytrens contracture are curable or need to give up playing the guitar nowadays, due to point... So, yove got nothing to lose, really! Grabbing a guitar takes far more force; 80 #s per finger according to Segovia IIRC. document.getElementById("ak_js_1").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); Playing Guitar with Arthritis Everything You Need To Know.

I went for the Amazon exclusive Cherry finish and it looks amazing so if you are thinking about buying just go for it. With all the musical and medical resources available today, the solution to dealing with your arthritic pain is only limited by your imagination. On an electric guitar, this may be as simple as adjusting the individual saddles at the bridge. It is pretty to look at and plays even better than many costly guitars out there. The Seagull Artist Mosaic has a Cedar Top which is handpicked and pressure tested to ensure that all the materials of the guitar are of the highest grade. Another essential thing to understand is that what you play can be as important as how you play it and what instrument you play it on. The attention to detail and fine craftsmanship that Denny Zager is just SUPERB not to mention their helpful customer support. 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. Another tool that can be highly beneficial when playing guitar with arthritis is an automatic tuner. Sometimes playing guitars can relieve the pain caused by arthritis. It may be difficult to prevent getting arthritis or making it worse if you play guitar professionally. They can tune your guitar in under thirty seconds, so you are ready to play. Best for arthritis: ComfyBrace Arthritis Hand Compression Gloves. 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. 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. A good stretch for the thumb is to position your hand so the palm is facing toward you, or outward with your fingers outstretched. I would love to have you join, and you'll be glad you did! Two medical problems hit me recently. You'll receive weekly Guitar tips, How to guides, and other valuable product deals. Batch Topical CBD Balm. Everybodys situation is different, so youll have to pick what can help you the most. Gorilla Snot (no kidding!) If you play sitting on the couch, try to sit like you are playing in a chair. This condition can develop because of injuries, excess weight, and genetics. Theacousticguitarist.com also participates in various other affiliate programs, and we receive a commission from purchases made through our links. He always gets such a fabulous sound! My guitar teacher had arthritis. This is no problem considering the value the guitar carries and its price. Your email address will not be published. Our Top Pick, the Martin D Jr-10E is a 15/16 scale guitar with a classic Martin Dreadnought profile. There are .008s available, too. But, finding that balance between taking things too far, and the right amount of movement is key, and is often unique to the individual. 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. Because Osteoarthritis is caused by repetitive movement, musicians, especially professionals who start playing at a young age are more prone to Osteoarthritis.

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