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You're absolutely right that posture can help or hurt in ways that most folks can't imagine. As for your spelling question, "callous" is an adjective, whereas "callus," the noun, is that dead skin that lets us play guitar ;-) Regarding the ganglion, a very talented friend of mine went to a Chinese doctor who simply told him to smash it with a book. I'm not sure that I could be so brave, but my friend says it works for him. BTW, when we change subject matter, let's either start a new e-mail or change the Subject line. Gawd knows how many interesting letters I've missed because the Subject line said something like "Re: EDP creating clouds of sooty black smoke again" and the words within actually discussed some great musician or a recently uncovered lost recording etc etc. or some new affordable looping tool.) Wishing You Happy Hands, Tim www.mungenast.com www.myspace.com/timmungenast > [Original Message] > From: Richard Sales <richard@glasswing.com> > To: <Loopers-Delight@loopers-delight.com> > Date: 6/17/2006 1:10:58 PM > Subject: Re: Way OT: EM fingers! > > Leo Kottke is a fun person to investigate concerning hand issues. I > think he's been through it all and had to stop playing for a while > because of it. The latest I've read from him he seems to be saying > that he's amplified his acoustic guitar and is playing with a much more > gentle touch, no fingernails, no fingerpicks etc. So not picking so > hard with the right hand helps a lot. Of course, you don't get the big > mojo when you play softer, which is kind of a bomb. > > I pick very hard with my right hand with medium strings - acoustic, > finger style mostly. > > I've noticed for myself that my posture when I play has a huge impact > on my hands. My hands have to be in just the right place, with correct > wrist angles, or my fingers go to sleep. This started when I was > touring with Shree Maa (I was playing acoustic 12 string LOUD) and we > would play some songs, or puja songs, that would last an hour or two > non stop. The strings started to feel like razor blades cutting > through my thick callouses (SP?). So now, when I sit and play, I sit > classical style. Really helps a lot. When I get lazy and sit back on > the couch and play my hands go haywire after just a few minutes of > playing - an instant reminder. But if I sit right, I can play for > hours. > > Not sure if this has any impact on the ganglion thing. But if you > practice more than an hour a day, paying close attention to your hands, > posture etc - especially when you've accumulated decades of playing, is > critical. > > Another thing my chiropractor told me was that I shouldn't look at my > guitar (my left hand) when I play. Apparently looking to the left - > especially if your right arm is raised (which it isn't if you're > sitting correctly), can cause neck and back issues. > > I bet rolfing (or deep muscle massage) would be good for stuff like > ganglions. You might check that out. It might loosen up some of the > muscles that are too tight. > > As many have said, I think I would try to avoid surgery as long as > possible. > > richard sales > glassWing farm and studio > vancouver island, b.c. > 800.545.6846 > 250.752.4816 > www.glassWing.com > www.richardsales.com > www.hayleysales.com > www.blueberryfieldsfarm.com > On 17-Jun-06, at 9:42 AM, goddard.duncan@mtvne.com wrote: > > > >>I had one in my left hand, on the top, at the root of my 1st & 2nd > > fingers next to my wrist. Had it removed about 25 years ago. Do > > anything but surgery if you can, I still don't have 100% control of my > > > pinky.<< > > > > ah, jeez.... I've got one in exactly the same place. left hand facing > > up, base of thumb between root of first & second finger, right on the > > seam of my wrist. what the hell are they? are there non-surgical > > options? this isn't a nuisance yet, but I've noticed my hand tires > > quicker.... > > > > my natural inclination is to spear it with something sharp..... but > > obviously I am fighting this impulse! > > > > duncan. > > > > > > > > >*********************************************************************** > > **** > > CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE > > > > The contents of this e-mail are confidential to the ordinary user > > of the e-mail address to which it was addressed, and may also > > be privileged. 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