r/guitarplaying

Hi everyone. This is honestly difficult for me to post, but I’ve reached a point where I truly need help.

I’m a guitarist, and over the past several months I’ve been dealing with ongoing problems in my fretting hand, especially involving my ring and pinky finger. What started as weakness and fatigue gradually became finger collapse, locking, loss of control while playing, and difficulty doing things that used to feel automatic.

Music isn’t just a hobby for me. It’s part of how I make money, express myself, and honestly who I am. This injury has affected me physically, financially, and mentally in ways I never expected.

This year I’ve spent more money trying to save my hand than I’ve actually made.

I’ve gone through months of physiotherapy, strengthening exercises, TENS therapy, dry needling, and multiple consultations trying to figure out what’s really happening. Recently I may be noticing slight improvements, but progress has been very slow and uncertain.

The next major step is a nerve conduction study so doctors can determine whether this is primarily nerve-related, muscular, tendon-related, or something else entirely. Depending on the results, it may determine whether continued therapy is enough or whether surgery eventually needs to be considered.

The hardest part of this entire process has honestly been not knowing what my future as a guitarist looks like.

If you took the time to read this, thank you. And if you’re able to donate, share the fundraiser, or even leave words of encouragement, it would genuinely mean a lot to me right now ❤️🎸

https://gofund.me/17ab4d22d

I’ve made this telecaster from scratch the wiring part. When I put the multimeter on the sleeve of the output and on the cable tip when it’s in, I get no feedback. I had a messy soldering job before and I redid that and I am pretty sure I did everything correctly. Could someone please tell me what I am doing wrong?

https://youtu.be/ttmAT_vyIko?is=5Z2ZvBap0E5fLIi7

I've been repeatedly told that this is the most beautiful Irish jig ever and my friend recorded his version for me, it's called 'Merrily kissed the Quaker'

It is such a joyous happy energetic tune and I'll never tire of listening to it on repeat, particularly when I need extra dopamine for housework etc😄

Anyone who gives this a listen won't regret it as the joy and energy from the music is infectious 🥰🎵🇮🇪💃

If anyone knows another Irish jig that can rival this complex beautiful melody, please let me know!🙏

Have a lovely day everyone 😊https://youtu.be/ttmAT_vyIko?is=X_W1OUndH6JVwwwX

Paul Gilbert is the man.

A buddy let me take his LTD H-301 home to give her a setup and deep clean, so I recorded a little clip with it. I don’t currently have a speedster in my arsenal so I wanted to shred something while I could.

YouTube link: https://youtu.be/HQuPZWtifkg

Chris McQueen (Snarky Puppy) just played the prototype of his signature AJ, dropping 2027

Technically the rhythm guitar uses only 3 chords, I like throwing in that extra chord on the transition from A to Gm cause I think it sounds cool (idk what it would be called)

Still practicing and trying to clean up some of the muting, also still need to learn the lead

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DaSuWLPhhma/?igsh=bnZuNTg3YjNkam1w

https://youtube.com/shorts/eDs8Z2qgW-k?si=xamVFbLjCTVcKF7z

I make home-made epoxy guitar picks. Each is unique and some glow extremely bright in the dark/under black light. Most of them have a hole at the top and can either be key-ringed or made into a necklace, bracelet, or keychain.

Thanks in advance for all responses.

Forgot there was a pinch harmonic at the start :(