TAC Family Forums

Share your wins, get unstuck, or see how others use the TAC Method to create a fulfilling guitar life!

  • jumpinjeff

    Member
    September 23, 2025 at 10:03 am

    @albert_d : spot on! Part of my process was learning to identify muscle fatigue vs. Ligament and tendon pain from inflammation. Like you stated, the answer is getting flexible through stretching combined with managing tension. I stretch everyday, every session, sometimes several times a session if I am not getting a result from multiple attempt with genuine effort. I also had to learn to strech body parts that are more bone and Ligament/tendon than muscle: the hands and fingers. I call it silly putty stretching. Do it slowly barely introducing tension as the tissue relaxes. I was always surprised at how much more range of motion I could get using this technique. Do it fast and it snaps and you are back to a previous level. Okay….it doesn’t really snap but it doesnt do anything either. It is very different than the stretching I learned for athletic purpose on my larger muscle groups. Ice is amazing therapy for sore fingers and hands. It is darn near free and it has no side effects. If you are getting sore tendons, ice and rethink your motion. This is where tension free playing comes in…..find the least amount of pressure necessary to make the sound you desire. You will save wear and tear on your joints. There is an accuracy/precision component to this and that is where consistency in the Daily Challenges provided what I needed. I learned to play through the discomfort of muscle f fatigue. If I start to feel pain (Joints), I have to address it either by technique change or position change or If it is a reaching challenge….flexiblity training…SILLY PUTTY style! Eventually over time you will be able to stretch your wrist elbow and shoulder just by stretching your thumb. Kinesthetic awareness is built on time and repetion. Keep us posted on your progress, @pfilippettibhaircraft-com .