The easiest guitar I have found to play is the Epiphone Humingbird Pro with 12 gauge light stings. In order to make this guitar sound its best, you need to tune it, of course. It typically causes stiffness, pain, and limited range of motion. Last edited by Macky; 17th May 2016 at 08:36 AM.. While some are able to handle a mild degree of discomfort, arthritis in the hands is frequently more than a fleeting annoyance, and it can even lead to hand … $750 for a used Taylor, good setup with silk-and-steel strings, and Bob's your uncle. 1. It’s especially common in the hands, hips, and knees. It sounds weird, but she swears it keeps the arthritis in her hands at bay. This beautiful low action guitar has a unique Koa that highlights the spruce top with matte finish. I have slight arthritis in the hands and recently picked up a Mahogany Ibanez AC-2040.It has a 45mm nut,great for fingerpicking is extremely light and wonderful tone.If you get the chance...try one out. I already tune down a half step, full step, two full steps, etc., depending on the song I'm recording. I agree 100% on the setup. Many of my students tell me that the physical act of playing guitar, and exercising the joints of the hands, fingers and wrists, have made improvements to their condition. That will make it easier to curl your hand around the guitar when you play. If you‘re interested in trying out slide playing, here’s an inexpensive slide starter pack available on Amazon. With arthritis, cold and humidity are not your friends. Our simplified method makes it even easier to play guitar with severe arthritis. When it's really painful, I'll play with a capo, or occasionally switch to silk and steel strings. The crucial thing is to keep playing if you can. Play More Comfortably. A professional can make sure your action is as low as possible and may be able to suggest additional modifications. This 3/4 size guitar is a fantastic option for those with small hands. They make some of the best guitars in the world that are specifically for people with small hands, mostly women and girls. • When you play, sit in a comfortable, ergonomic position. Learn more about the causes, risk factors, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, home remedies, and prevention of hand osteoarthritis. I am 71 and also have bad arthritis. One last point. Hey there! If you are successfully controlling the arthritis so you can still chop an onion or change a plug, time practising the guitar is a small price.” Swollen fingers, joint inflammation, stiffness and […] Painful hands. Well, most people say you can’t go wrong with a Martin and in this case, most people are right. Initially I wasn’t sure either if I’m completely honest. This got me thinking about the impact of arthritis on guitar players. Most problems relate to the fret hand and wrist (i.e. This got me thinking about the impact of arthritis on guitar players. My wife’s 90-year-old grandmother has been drinking a glass of black cherry juice every morning for several decades now. If you’d like a guitar teacher but you’re not sure how to find one, check out my post on finding a teacher. I purchased this for my daughter in law who had stopped playing guitar because of severe rheumatoid arthritis in her hands. Arthritis is a general term for chronic swelling in the joints. Using this system makes it easy to learn guitar chords and begin playing your favorite songs despite the pain that comes with arthritis. Ready to find the right guitar for your small hands? 4. This may complicate playing with others, but if everyone is aware of your tuning they can accommodate you. That's a fatter C-shape neck but not incredibly huge (0.860 at 1st fret, 0.960 at 12th fret). I created this site to help answer those questions that we all have as players, but have had a hard time finding answers for. I haven't dealt with many of their acoustic models, but the quality...I've never heard a single complaint. I suffer from erosive osteoarthritis of the fingers and am coming up on 50 years as a guitarist. For a serious guitarist, arthritis in the hands or fingers can be physically and emotionally devastating. Shorter scale will help, too (I was shopping Epiphones, between the Gibby copies and the 'originals', many variations exist among similar models, including scale). Try a deep heat muscle rub, or soak your hands in hot water. • Try alternative picks that are specifically designed for folks with grip problems, like a thumb pick. It too is pretty small and has a relatively small shallow neck. Don Hurley. We’ll start off this list with a real classic, Squier by Fender. It won't matter what kind of guitar it is if the setup isn't perfect. Thats why I mentioned my 00016. I might look at something like the MFG 000-18GE 12 fret. Use a Thumb Pick. Zager Easy Play Custom Guitars were designed for players with hand problems. On acoustic, what has made all the difference for me was the right choice of strings. My electrics are never a problem, but sometimes a regular acoustic is a bit much. Whether you’re spending too much time on your computer or phone, are looking for relief from carpal tunnel or arthritis symptoms, or simply want to include hand massages as part of your routine, there are plenty of different types of hand massagers to soothe and relieve muscle tension in your arms and hands. The guitar is very small and is electric-acoustic. Design. Arthritis in the hands is the most common type of arthritis. All things considered, there are a number of things which any 'good' guitar, at any price point, will nail. When you need to track an acoustic you can't use an electric. I have slight arthritis in the hands and recently picked up a Mahogany Ibanez AC-2040.It has a 45mm nut,great for fingerpicking is extremely light and wonderful tone.If you get the chance...try one out. And yet, bassists with small hands sometimes play tree trunks and guitarists with huge hands often choose the slimmest necks. Musicians get arthritis, just like the rest of us. There is no evidence that playing an instrument makes a person any more likely to get arthritis. Some examples include playing with a capo, adjusting the action of your strings so it’s lower, using lighter strings, using alternative tunings, and playing slide guitar. You could also try tuning your guitar a step (or two) down. In addition to being a guitar player, I am also a photographer. I can no longer bend my index finger on my left hand so basic chords like C and G are impossible. What works for you will depend on a lot of factors, including the severity of your arthritis and whether it affects your fretting hand or your picking hand (or both). Thanks, but I write country songs and they need real steel stringed acoustics. You need an account to post a reply. You should try a flamenco guitar! Thanks ever so much to Tom, Leslie and Chuck for your contributions. It occurs as a result of the breakdown of the cartilage that support the bone structure. There is no need to rush. • Warm up before you play, both figuratively and literally. Such guitars make is easier for a player to curl hands around the guitar while playing. • Some luthiers are making instruments specifically for folks who are having trouble playing stock models. The closer to the fret your finger is, the less pressure you need to use. Not sure if there are steel string ones too. As with most things, your mileage may vary. Check Out The Best Electric Guitars for Smaller Hands Below: 1. I play electric, if you can call it that, and my last one came with 008s on it. The two most common types are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. When you buy products through links across our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Hand and finger exercises can help strengthen your hands and fingers, increase your range of motion, and give you pain relief. Make sure that you warm-up and stretch your hand before playing. I second the Ibanez recco, great brand for the dollars and famous for fast necks. Due to the systemic nature of the disease, RA can also impact the lungs, heart, and other organs of the body. The best pill-free treatment for arthritis in hands depends on your symptoms. I live in New Hampshire with my wife, our twin toddlers, and our shaggy dog. Yamaha APXT2EW . the left for most players), low back and neck. It works, she is thrilled. Osteoarthritis (OA) is degenerative. If it doesn't last I will get another one. Thanks to him, we had School of Rock long before Jack Black was a household name. It is possible to play guitar with arthritis in your hands and fingers with the right tools. Try open chord tunings or other alternative tunings that will allow you to take advantage of open strings. I’ve been playing guitar for 25 years. But, it seems possible to make them easier to play than most other flattops. Use a Capo. Need easy action acoustic for arthritis hands, Already have an account? It’s full of great advice whether you’re looking for a teacher for your yourself or for someone you care about. Arthritis Treatment For Guitar Players. • Make sure your guitar is well set-up. If you need help with any of these modifications, find a guitar teacher who has a lot of experience with adult students. I know a man around the age of 50 who has been a carpenter his whole life. With RA the joints are actually healthy, but the immune system attacks them as if they were a threat. For a serious guitarist, arthritis in the hands or fingers can be physically and emotionally devastating. If you have found guitar playing to be needlessly frustrating, you need to look at this one. Les Paul himself played guitar with arthritis for 50 years! I had arthritis in both of my hands and not only couldnt play the guitar, but doing dishes and other kinds of housework were miserable. Yeah, I'm going to go with that as my advice. This site is owned and operated by Nate and Jenn Hastings. People who think playing guitar causes arthritis may be confusing arthritis with carpal tunnel or tendonitis. I think what you need is a really good setup rather than any specific model of guitar. Try lighter strings and see how it sounds. Hand osteoarthritis causes pain and stiffness in your joints. OM also sounds good, or other size variants, but I can't say I'm familiar with the various scales. First off, if your arthritis is minor, or in the early stages, playing guitar may actually help. Its gonna be the set up as has been mentioned that will make it easier though. I’m Nate Hastings. Slower playing is easier on your hands and wrists. Change Your Tuning. If you’re unfamiliar with what a set-up is, check out my post Demystifying the Guitar Setup With Tips From a Luthier for more information. The SAD (Standard American Diet) is pretty much designed for population control and big business profiteering from your misfortune. I wish you many more happy years of playing guitar and don’t forget that cherry juice!! If you are an acoustic player, investigating silk and steel strings may also be worth your time. However, the distance between the frets is the same as for a regular sized electric guitar, which means the scale is the same and the frets are spaced the same distance apart. To make this easier, try holding the guitar in more of a classical position. Keith Richards has osteoarthritis in his hands, but he could have developed the condition due to age or genetics without ever picking up a guitar. (Believe it or not, some guitarists with arthritis have found a lot of benefit from hot paraffin treatments at the spa!) This site will also participate in other affiliate programs and will be compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. The low action makes this one the undisputed choice as the best guitar for small hands. Crossing over, and just turning pages is sometimes very difficult. 3. I'm so happy I found it. A hands-on choice. (Yes, it’s expensive for a pick, but it’s handmade in Switzerland. It sounds weird, but she swears it keeps the arthritis in her hands at bay. I’m not a doctor, and I don’t even play one on TV. Squier Classic Vibe 50's Stratocaster. The remaining three digits are painful and becoming less achievable. Maybe the bolt-on neck makes that setup possible, or maybe it's something else. If it helps you play longer, it would be worth the investment.). Please consult an actual doctor for medical advice. I have bad carpal tunnel. • Whether you are an electric or acoustic player, lighter-gauge strings will be easier on your hands. How to Play Guitar with Arthritic Hands or Fingers, ‘re interested in trying out slide playing, here’s an inexpensive slide starter pack available on Amazon. Do stretches and scales before you play full songs. The 5 Best Guitars For Small Hands. “K” means Koa pattern. Playing Guitar with Arthritis The Pain-Free Way to Learn Guitar Chords Playing guitar with arthritis used to be unheard of until ChordBuddy came around. In middle school my friends and I were fortunate enough to have a music teacher who taught us by day and played the clubs of Boston by night. I played a full sized guitar yesterday for just 10 minutes, and my left thumb is aching today. With that said, many boys and men can enjoy playing Daisy Rock guitars too, as many of them have a neutral look. I hope you have found this information helpful. Since we use our hands and fingers in most activities, arthritis in the hands can be a cause of discomfort and uneasiness. You will find that this model will provide you with a true and reliable tone. If you are a speed player, or have always wanted to become one, proceed with caution and make sure you are warming up properly. This causes inflammation and pain. And some people are just genetically predisposed to it so they may develop AO without injuries or excess weight. The regular 000-18GE is also very easy on the fretting hand. • Play with a straight wrist. The built-in chromatic tuner makes this super easy which is perfect especially for beginners (but I mean, who doesn’t cheat and use a tuner when it’s on hand?). When the joints of the hand or wrist are affected by inflammation, we refer to it as arthritis, or osteoarthritis due to wear and tear. Fender Kurt Cobain Jaguar NOS. Sweetguitartones.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. I'm a professional pianist/organist, and I can't afford to have a lot of pain in my thumbs. OA is often caused by aging, but people can develop it when they have certain kinds of injuries, or when they carry excess weight. , narrow frets, is ideal for small and arthritic hands wrong with a true and reliable.! Man around the age of 50 who has been mentioned that will it. Also participates in other affiliate programs and will be compensated for referring traffic and business to these.. Playing if you need is a really good setup with silk-and-steel strings, i. 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