Elvis Ate Dynamite

In Saturday’s video post, I mentioned that I still struggle with some barre chords when I play guitar (most notably B, my arch-nemesis). But I failed to mention a significant contributing factor: the arthritis in my old man hands.

When I posted the video on my YouTube channel, I got some great advice from other guitar players, such as edging your index finger on the fret you’re barring (my oldest daughter suggested this as well), lowering the action on the guitar, trying alternate configurations, and, in some instances, just don’t play barre chords. All of which got my thinking about the arthritis in my hands and how it affects my playing in general.

So, a quick Google search led me to this: string maker D’Addario & Co. sells a hand strengthener, pictured above. After looking at some other options, I bought this one and it arrived yesterday. While it’s far too soon to tell, I think it might help. One particular feature appeals to me: you can adjust the tension, which is helpful when you’re getting used to it. My sense is that more resistance is good for building strength and less resistance is good for building agility. And I can definitely use both.

Also, because I spend a lot of time in front of a computer drafting, reading, and editing content, it’s easy to find time to use it throughout the day. I keep it on my desk so that I can pick it up whenever I’m not typing, or when I need a few minutes to reset my brain.

Now I just need to find time to work on scales …

Anyway, I hope this device helps. If nothing else, it keeps guitar playing in the forefront of my mind, and that’s always a good thing.