Question for us older players

[Mr_G]

This last couple of years I’ve started to develop tremors in my hands. Not huge but enough to bother me when I play. Any other of us “more mature“ players dealing with this, and was there anything you could do about it? My physicians haven’t found any underlying cause. It is affecting how I play, and what I play, and it is very frustrating, because I’m finally getting to the point where I believe I’m learning how to be a guitar player! Ha
Mr g

Maybe my problem is that my ChatGPT guitar only has five strings on it!

[Tim_C]

I’m soon to be 68 and I’ve had a very slight tremor in my hands for several years. The most effect that it has on me, is I can’t seem to hold a cup of coffee without spilling it. Maybe it’s to much caffeine, I don’t know! I am however developing pain in my wrist and thumb joint on my fretting hand which does effect my playing. I think the most frustrating issue I’ve always had playing is my fretting fingers seem to do whatever they want to do not what they’re supposed to do.

[BanjoBen]

I know Alan Munde deals with this a lot, and it’s quite amazing what he’s actually able to play with the visible shaking. He does talk about the struggle. I’m sorry I don’t have any advice for you.

[Mr_G]

One of those things older me deals with. It doesn’t stop me from enjoying what I do. It means I won’t be auditioning for any rock ‘n’ roll group anytime in the future.

[5-StringPilgrim]

In 2022 I rated the pain in both thumbs a nine. The pain would keep me awake. I picked the chiropractor and deep tissue massage course of treatment before surgery. In three months the pain was a one. It seems the majority of my thumb and hand pain was coming from my neck. I maintain with simple exercises and avoiding excessive pinching with the thumb.

Today my big challenge is my thumb strength. Most days I can’t open a ketchup pack or get all the toothpaste out of a tube. The 4 finger strength is good, it’s the pinching with the thumbs that is weak.