Glenelg Guitar Studio

Happy New Year

Yes I know it’s a bit late but there is still time for New Year’s resolutions to be made and kept.

I often talk to students about the importance of warming up with scales etc, but thinking about it there is something you should do even before that. Stretching your arms and fingers before starting practice should be everyone’s New Year’s Resolution.

Searching around the internet I found a great source of simple stretches you can do before starting your practice session. So think like an athlete; stretch and warm up before you get down to the serious business.

Here’s a few ideas I like courtesy of “Seymour Duncan Pickups”.
Give them a try and see if you can make them one of your New Year’s Resolutions.
Cheers
Leigh

1. Place your palms together in front of your chest. Push your hands downward as far as you can, keeping your palms flat together. You should feel the stretch on the inside of your wrists. Hold for 10 seconds.
   
2. While holding this pose, slowly rotate your wrists so your fingertips point downward. Rotate as far as you can before it starts to hurt, keeping your palms together. This stretches the tendons along the sides of your wrists. Hold for another 10 seconds.
   
3. Use the palm of one hand to bend back the thumb of the other hand. Push gently until you feel a stretch in your thumb muscle. Hold each thumb for six seconds.
   
4. Now stretch each finger back using the palm of your other hand to apply pressure. Keep your wrist loose. Push gently until you feel a stretch in your palm and wrist. Hold each finger for six seconds.
   
5. With one arm, point your elbow down and keep your forearm vertical. Grab the fingers with your other hand and pull them toward the floor, keeping your forearm straight up. Pull until you feel a stretch in the top of your forearm. Hold for ten seconds on each arm.
   
6. Lace your fingers together in front of your chest and push your palms out in front of you. This will stretch your forearms, triceps, and shoulders. Hold for 12 seconds.
   
7. Lace your fingers together again behind the small of your back. Pull your shoulders back and try to extend your arms out behind you. This will stretch your forearms, biceps, pecs, and shoulders. Hold for 12 seconds.
   
8. With your arms above your head, grab one elbow with the other hand and pull your upper arm toward your ear. Try to reach behind your back with your free hand. This is a big tricep stretch. Hold each arm for 10 seconds.
   
9. Let your arms hang at your sides and shake them up. Relax your elbows and wrists and let your hands swing around a little. This loosens up your muscles and helps get blood circulating into your arms and hands. Shake those arms around for five seconds.
   

If everything went well, your hands should feel loose and energized, and ready to play.

Cheers.

Leigh