I certainly hope this is going to be a temporary setback but my shoulders around the scapula are absolutely killing me now I started practicing since Saturday when I got the guitar, admittedly only a few days in.
At first I thought maybe the weight of this Strat is part of the problem but I do keep it lifted using a strap as well and I tend to play in the classical position which I still find more comfortable and also find it easier to keep the guitar steady and reach all frets.
Got myself a proper stool as well today with a footrest and it’s an improvement posture wise already but the damage is probably done as my shoulder have pins and needles now pretty much all day long. Tried sitting, standing you name it, eventually the discomfort gets too much, definitely not the weight of the guitar either as even when I rest the guitar while standing or sitting and the problem persists.
Sitting in front of a computer pretty much since the commodore 64 days and now professionally all day undoubtedly doesn’t help either, gotten pretty rounded over the years, well decades.
I’ve already adopted several stretches exercises but I think I know need to let the muscles rest/adjust so they slowly get used to the different usage scenarios I’m subjecting them too and I’m afraid that if I push through so to speak I may only end up making it worse.
Just venting a bit out of frustration as well as I truly want to practice sigh. I might just start going through some of that Music Theory instead for now. Last time I was subjected to that was playing the recorder back in boarding school, that definitely wasn’t the best instrument to get kids enthused about music but I digress.
So curious if any beginners or older players like me (close to 54) suffered the same issues and whether you were able to overcome them?
I had something similar when I started. It was a posture thing, fixed by sitting up straight. I had to consciously think about it initially, but it did come fairly easily after a few days and the pain went away. I’ve had no problems since.
if you know right posture of sitting and holding your guitar properly… double check if there is not any tension. In your shoulders, arms, chest… anywhere.
Being in tension means you are not free and could lead to hurting something.
Sometimes it can be just the length of time you practice. If you have everything good - relaxed, posture and holding guitar. Maybe try to make it into smaller 10 minutes chunks, even lower if it hurst. I guess it could be something with your back and you cant change bad sitting habits so fast - I am not doctor, just thinking around.
For me 28 yo I had to make 2 days break from guitar, because I spent like 3-4 hours in one take daily and my left wrist started “to speak” a little, but now I am OK.
Also if you are beginner everything is really new for you and sitting properly and holding guitar is something you must get use to. Sometimes I catch myself I sit in really bad position, but somehow… it works.
Also take a note… its journey, the life journey, take your time. Its not race and you dont owe anyone anything. Also thinking about some ointment can be a thing.
Examine what your head is doing - are you pushing it out over the guitar, hanging your head over the top to see? Try to keep your head back if you look down, not hunched over like that shrimp image above.
How about keeping shoulders flat across the back? Keep chest up will help that.
Posture is critical. I have needed to overcome various things when I got sloppy. A little exercise will help as well as the stretching. Maintaining a balanced strength will keep you from getting pain because it will keep your body aligned.
Electrics are generally easier on my shoulders than acoustics because they are thinner allowing them to fit under the arm.
Try shifting the guitar to the other knee and playing with the neck more vertical like a classical guitar player plays.
I powered through it until I couldn’t turn my neck. That’s the wrong way to do it. See your doctor and get some physical therapy, or the trainer at the gym, or a chiropractor. Learn some stretches to do before and after. You’re using muscles that haven’t been used in a while
I’ll get a little soreness in the shoulder of my fretting hand if I play my Les Paul for too long. The more I play it (higher frequency, shorter sessions, slowly increasing the amount of time per session), the less my shoulder bothers me, so it’s certainly a muscle use thing. LP is definitely a heavy guitar, so I use a pretty wide and cushy strap that helps a lot.
I don’t get this sort of soreness when I play my acoustic.
My instructor really pushed me hard on my posture and he got me using a classical guitar posture. With my acoustic, it feels super easy and natural (I play a Taylor GS Mini). With my LP, that posture really pushes the neck FAR out there so I have to extend my left arm a lot farther. Pretty sure that’s where my soreness comes from. If I stand, the guitar rests a little differently and the neck doesn’t protrude so much. It’s more comfortable, tbh.
Hi Stefaan, it is like anything we do guitar golf tennis piano you name it if we don’t get it right we suffer, if I drive for awhile my shoulders and arms ache, we must learn to control and ease it. It will get better cheers Hec
Appreciate the responses everyone, clearly it’s something many of us suffer from in one way or another at some stage but since you are still here replying gives me hope that it can be managed.
I suspect it’s mostly posture, coupled with muscles being too tense as it’s a new thing you are not used too. Add onto that that you may be practicing for too long, this could all lead to those problems.
I had similar problems and still do from time to time. I have to keep checking and readjusting my posture when I .get lazy and try to relax my arms hands and shoulders consciously while practicing. If I had a few days away without practice, I can’t just jump back in and do a 2 ,hour practice. I have to do a few shorter ones.
I’m 67 and have had a similar experience with my Strat. When I practice, I’ve stopped wearing a guitar strap and use a metal support (Performaxe) that works well. The best part is that my shoulder feels so much better.
Check this YouTube review out for a Performaxe and a pillow support option: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xSgG63bENQ
I worked pretty hard to find a position I could play in that worked for me. Left shoulder pain being the biggest issue. I have slowly evolved how I hold it over 4 years and even made a pretty significant change just a couple of weeks ago.
I view this as a work in progress, to coincide with the degeneration of my body…also a work in progress apparently.
Straps kill my neck, I play steel and nylon acoustics and move through the classical posture to my current hybrid.
Generally, I suggest that, perhaps with a helper or lots of cushions, rolled towels, foam blocked or whatever, you find a place for the guitar where you can play it without shoulder pain. Then, you just need to be creative and using commercial supports or Jerry rigged home mockups, possibly even a strap, keep it as close to there as reasonable.
For me, I have a small 00 size guitar or concert classical with the lower part of the lower bout on my right thigh, then a lift that attaches at the lower rounded portion of the upper bout and sits on my left thigh holding the lower bout about 6-7” up. The neck angles just a little upwards and very little away so my left shoulder is under no stress and it hardly has to move. The right arm rests on the upper part of the lower bout holding it against the right thigh and perfect for strumming of fingerpicking without strain or tension.
Just thought I’d chime in. Limited help since I’m only in my 5th week. But I just wanted to share how I solved me issue (for now anyway). The first two weeks was a killer, because I was constantly looking at the fretboard. Muscles around the shoulder blade hurt like hell.
I had to take short breaks. The biggest thing that worked for me (easier said than done I know) is to force yourself to look forward / away as much as you possibly can and try play slowly and feel the strings to try build muscle memory.
The pain still comes back the moment I try learn new things and end up staring down for ages. It hasn’t come back for a while though so there’s probably an element of conditioning maybe.
The only other thing I can say that I’ve been mucking around with is the “angle” of the guitar. I felt like putting the guitar so that the neck slightly slanted upwards seemed to help as well for my fretting hand. Also, having the guitar kinda angled away from the body a bit seemed to help my fretty hand relax a bit too (not angling it flat so you can see the strings, but pushing the neck away from you with the body of the guitar still close kinda angle)!!
I’ve changed the way the guitar sits a couple times to find an ergonomic comfy spot - short torso and longer arms don’t seem to help.
Thanks again for all further replies, some small improvements in the mean time. I got myself a proper stool:
I still play in the classical position and use a strap to lift the guitar so the head is at eye level. The right leg position just does not work for me, I find it really uncomfortable. Honestly, I do not even understand how anyone can play with the neck so low, it’s too hard to keep the guitar steady and you really have to twist your right shoulder. Maybe that is more doable for the younger crowd.
The stool I use has a footrest which helps though I still rest my right foot on a separate support since that is most comfortable flat on the floor and kind of necessary with the classical position. My shoulders still get sore after a while, but at least there are fewer pins and needles now. I alternate between sitting and standing and still need a break every ten to fifteen minutes, but there is some improvement. The pain does not kick in immediately anymore when I strap on the guitar at least, but yes I definitely need to rebuild strength in those long neglected muscles. They are clearly not thrilled to be back in use, it feels like they are saying, “Oh, now you need us?”
Twisting my neck to look at where my fingers are on the guitar is definitely a contributing factor so I have started practicing in front of a mirror which helps a lot.
I might need to get a better strap with padding soon. This cheap one is okay, but it starts to dig in after a while. Getting started with guitar was not cheap, there was the guitar, amp, wireless transmitters instead of a cable (which definitely was the right decision). So I ended up saying “that will do” for some things.
I will probably get some better strap locks too, something flat on top. The pullout ones that came with the guitar dig into my right leg. Comfort definitely comes at a price!
Things are slowly improving, only on my first week so early days this but fingers crossed that once the muscles get a bit stronger and get used to things. Doing some exercise and stretches to help them out as well. Looks like a great little tool there I gotta say and glad to see that you have found something that works for you as there is nothing worse than battling ongoing discomfort and pain, it would be equally frustrating and sad if you couldn’t find a solution at all. Appreciate you letting me know about it!
