Advice needed please

[Trevor Boyd]

I have been trying to learn classical banjo on and off for a few months now, using a combination of tutor books* and the video lessons on this site.  (Thank you Ian!).  However I still find that after a little time playing I get an ache in my left arm/shoulder.  I have tried various positions for the banjo -0n my right thigh, in my lap etc etc - but it doesn't seem to make much difference.  In fact I found it so frustrating that I gave up and put it away for a few months, but I really do want to learn.  Since I have played classical guitar for many years,  I was very pleased when I came across classical banjo which is not that far removed in terms of technique, and I really like the music.

Question: Do I just need to be patient and build up the strength in my left arm?  If not does anyone have any suggestions?  Did anyone else experience this when they were learning?

Many thanks

Trevor

* Alan Middleton's Clifford Essex tutor plus the Grimshaw exercises.

[thereallyniceman]

Hi Trevor,

I am sorry to hear that you are having shoulder problems. I have never experienced this problem until recently when I started to sit in a low chair to practice! I have previously sat in an upright chair and added a seat cushion and a lumbar roll cushion so that I sit bolt upright. The lower chair seemed to make me bend forwards and for some reason I got pain in the shoulder blade area and the top of the left arm!

Also make sure that the banjo neck points away from your body so that the left arm comes straight out from the shoulder, not bending the elbow "the wrong way" to the left to reach the first frets.

I am not a medical man so first of all make sure that there is no medical problem!!!

[Joel Hooks]

Our pal Frank Converse would tell you to go to the gym and swing dumbbells and Indian clubs. And I think that it is good advice.

[1wfj9nbd8zc6q]

After I started playing classic banjo, I realized that I needed to change my left hand technique. I've played  a style of finger picking guitar that sometimes requires the left thumb to come around the neck and fret the sixth string. Whenever I picked up a stringed instrument, the neck ended up in the curve between my thumb and index finger. After a  few days of practicing with the pad of my thumb on the back of the neck, my thumb and shoulder were both knotted in pain. Ice, a massage, and a few days break helped.

I was ready for round two. For me it had to be relaxation instead of strength. How could I apply the least amount of pressure to the strings that would still give me a clear note? How could I apply downward pressure with my fingertip without engaging and tensing muscles in my wrist, arm, and shoulder? Paying attention to where and when I felt unnecessary tension has helped me establish new habits.

[Alan Sims]

buy a metal pole that clamps across open doorway do as many pull ups as you can i do thirty a day then go in then go in the garden and punch hell out of the boxing bag then go up the shed and practice

[Trevor Boyd]

Many thanks for your response.  Trevor

thereallyniceman said:

Hi Trevor,

I am sorry to hear that you are having shoulder problems. I have never experienced this problem until recently when I started to sit in a low chair to practice! I have previously sat in an upright chair and added a seat cushion and a lumbar roll cushion so that I sit bolt upright. The lower chair seemed to make me bend forwards and for some reason I got pain in the shoulder blade area and the top of the left arm!

Also make sure that the banjo neck points away from your body so that the left arm comes straight out from the shoulder, not bending the elbow "the wrong way" to the left to reach the first frets.

I am not a medical man so first of all make sure that there is no medical problem!!!

[Trevor Boyd]

Thanks for the suggestion. Trevor

Alan Sims said:

buy a metal pole that clamps across open doorway do as many pull ups as you can i do thirty a day then go in then go in the garden and punch hell out of the boxing bag then go up the shed and practice

[Trevor Boyd]

Thanks for the suggestion.

Joel Hooks said:

Our pal Frank Converse would tell you to go to the gym and swing dumbbells and Indian clubs. And I think that it is good advice.

[Trevor Boyd]

Thanks Matthew.  I suspect it is related to posture/relaxation rather than strength.  I hope I am not abnormally weak, otherwise I am in trouble :-)

Trevor

Matthew Kakstys said:

After I started playing classic banjo, I realized that I needed to change my left hand technique. I've played  a style of finger picking guitar that sometimes requires the left thumb to come around the neck and fret the sixth string. Whenever I picked up a stringed instrument, the neck ended up in the curve between my thumb and index finger. After a  few days of practicing with the pad of my thumb on the back of the neck, my thumb and shoulder were both knotted in pain. Ice, a massage, and a few days break helped.

I was ready for round two. For me it had to be relaxation instead of strength. How could I apply the least amount of pressure to the strings that would still give me a clear note? How could I apply downward pressure with my fingertip without engaging and tensing muscles in my wrist, arm, and shoulder? Paying attention to where and when I felt unnecessary tension has helped me establish new habits.