Post #818827

2026-03-26 04:47 UTC

Any guitar* players on fedi with EDS or painful hypermobility? Do y&#39;all have advice on how to cause less pain when I practice/perform? So far I&#39;ve been switching sides, which seems to help with the long-term pain of always playing &quot;right-handed,&quot; but I still end up in pain on whichever side of my neck/shoulders the fretboard was on. *Or bass guitar, banjo, pretty much anything on a guitar strap #askFedi #duckDuckFedi #musician #disabledMusician #guitar #hEDS #eds #hypermobility #chronicPain

Replies (6)

@raphaelmorgan@disabled.social 2026-03-26 04:49

Today my pain level probably has to do with changing the key on a song and having to look at the fret board more, but I'm pretty sure it causes regardless I'm really hoping I don't have to go fully digital, but hey at least worst case I can just tell people they're being ableist when they judge me for not playing a physical instrument 🤷

Open ##1579264
@spiegelmama@infosec.exchange 2026-03-26 05:19

@raphaelmorgan I wish I knew how to help you. When my sister got capsulitis in her shoulder, she just couldn't play guitar until it calmed down. Hopefully someone here will see your message (which I boosted) and have suggestions. I have to press so hard to keep my floppy distal phalanges in place that I decided guitar was just not for me. You will have better results, I feel it. 🫂

Open ##1579267
@CStamp@mastodon.social 2026-03-26 05:46

@raphaelmorgan Have you tried sitting, supporting your guitar similar to how classical guitarists play? So no pressure from a guitar strap? Posture might affect things?

Open ##1579268
@Aaidanbird@disabled.social 2026-03-26 06:09

@raphaelmorgan honestly, i've been wondering this myself. I play the baritone ukulele, and this seems to help since electric guitar strings are rougher on my hands and the chords painful to do at times. It's easier for me to tuck myself in with pillows and rest the ukulele in my lap in a way that avoids pressure on joints or shoulders. But the strumming and pressing on the strings still causes pain which I don't think there's a way around that. Curious to hear others' thoughts!!

Open ##1579270
@t54r4n1@mspsocial.net 2026-03-26 19:26

@raphaelmorgan pinging @MxSadie if it has any thoughts

Open ##1579271
@pastelexuvia@cathode.church 2026-03-28 18:23

@raphaelmorgan physiotherapy and/or positioning the instrument differently. theres a disabled musician who basically holds her violin like a cello. with guitar i may have to relearn it sliding guitar / guzheng-style, which means ill need nails to pluck the strings and probably some kind of arm supports

Open ##1579272