What Are the Disadvantages of Playing Guitar?
It’s no secret that playing guitar is a great way to improve your musical skills, but did you know that it has some disadvantages too? In this blog post, we’ll discuss the main disadvantages of playing guitar and how to overcome them. So, whether you’re a beginner or a more advanced player, read on for some helpful tips!
The disadvantages of playing guitar include its expenses of purchase, maintenance, and lessons, a steep learning curve, noise pollution, and injuries/pain in hands, wrists, fingers, neck, shoulders, and knees. Moreover, it demands a lot of practice, time, and patience to develop the required coordination and muscle memory, which can lead to anxiety.
Guitar playing is a skill that can provide years of enjoyment. However, for any aspiring musician, it is vital to understand the disadvantages of playing guitar, the reasons behind them, and the solutions to them. By doing so, you can minimize their effects and continue enjoying the incredible experience of playing guitar!
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Understanding the Disadvantages Associated with Playing Guitar
The guitar is an amazing instrument that has so many benefits – it can help you relax, improve your mood, and make you smarter. However, there are also notable disadvantages that come with playing this instrument, including:
Pain in Hands, Wrists, and Fingers
The repetitive motion of plucking strings can lead to inflammation and pain. The placement of the hands on the fretboard can put pressure on the nerves and muscles, leading to pain and numbness. Another reason for this problem can be inexperience or improper technique.
A study was conducted on 520 guitarists who reported musculoskeletal problems that they were facing due to playing different types of guitars, such as acoustic, electric, electric bass, and banjo. The table below shows the percentage of prevalence of these musculoskeletal issues. The figures vary because different guitars have different shapes, string sizes, and playing techniques:
Body Part | Acoustic Guitar (%) | Electric Guitar (%) | Electric Bass (%) | Banjo (%) | Total Guitar (%) |
| Right FingerLeft Finger | 2634.9 | 22.333 | 23.931.2 | 21.414.3 | 24.132.9 |
| Right HandLeft Hand | 18.127.4 | 15.423.4 | 19.323.9 | 7.17.1 | 21.729.8 |
| Right WristLeft Wrist | 21.934 | 21.828.7 | 20.224.8 | 28.621.4 | 21.729.8 |
| Right ForearmLeft Forearm | 8.414.4 | 16.514.4 | 13.813.8 | 14.14.3 | 12.514.3 |
| Right ElbowLeft Elbow | 8.89.8 | 12.86.9 | 7.39.2 | 00 | 9.78.4 |
Pain in the Neck and Shoulders
Playing guitar can put a strain on the muscles and tendons in the shoulder and neck. The amount of strain depends on how the instrument is held and played. Guitarists often hunch over their instruments, which can further contribute to pain in the shoulders and back.
Knee Pain
The cause of this pain is often attributed to how the player is sitting while playing. The weight of the guitar resting on the thigh can put pressure on the knee and maintaining the same position for extended periods can compress the blood vessels and nerves in the area, causing numbness or tingling.
High Costs
Most guitars will need to be tuned regularly and strings will need to be replaced every few months. Beyond the initial cost of the instrument and its accessories, there are also costs associated with learning to play. Private lessons can be expensive, and purchasing instructional materials can also add to the total cost.
Noise Pollution
When played without proper amplification, guitars can be extremely loud, causing distress to both humans and animals. Studies have shown that exposure to loud noise can lead to hearing loss, cardiovascular problems, and behavioral issues.
Hopelessness and Anxiety
One of the most common sources of frustration is the difficulty of learning and time commitment. Many guitar players find that they hit a plateau after a period of initial progress, and it can be challenging to break through to the next level. This may lead to issues like depression, fatigue, anxiety, stage fright, and headaches.
Effective Solutions to the Disadvantages of Playing Guitar
By addressing the underlying issues, you can help prevent further pain and improve your overall health. Treating these problems early on can help you avoid more serious complications down the road such as tendinitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, acute anxiety, etc. Here’s what you can do:
Prioritize Your Physical and Mental Health
Taking regular breaks, resting the hands between practice sessions, using heating pads or ice packs, practicing stretching exercises, and massaging the affected muscles can all help to reduce discomfort. Modifying one’s playing technique, maintaining a good posture, and using ergonomic guitar straps can help to reduce muscular strain.
Be Money-Wise
As a beginner, you can purchase an acoustic guitar or a used model. Used guitars are often just as good as new ones, and they can be found at a fraction of the cost. Finally, take advantage of free online resources and invest in good-quality strings and picks.
Be Mindful of the Volume
Use apartment-friendly guitar amplifiers or headphones. Sound absorption blankets work to absorb the sound waves produced by the guitar, preventing them from echoing and amplifying the sound.
Tips for Practicing the Guitar
Don’t let these drawbacks keep you from enjoying one of the most rewarding instruments out there. Here are some useful tips for overcoming them:
- Plan a practice schedule and stick to it.
- Set realistic goals.
- Be willing to put in the work.
- Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
- Find a balance between challenging yourself and having fun.
- Persevere through the tough times.
- Celebrate your successes.
FAQS
Q. Why Are My Fingers Black After Playing guitar?
- The black stains are caused by the oxidation of metals on the surface of the guitar strings. When your fingers come into contact with the strings, they transfer moisture to the surface of the metal. This moisture then reacts with the tin, nickel, and chromium on the surface of the metal, causing the formation of black stains.
Q. What Are the Three Most Used Guitar Chords?
- The three most used guitar chords are the C chord, the G chord, and the D chord. These chords are all very easy to play and sound great when played together. Many beginner guitarists learn these chords first because they are so essential to many popular songs.
Final Thoughts
Playing the guitar has a few disadvantages that you should be aware of as a guitarist. However, they can be overcome by applying intelligent solutions, maintaining your focus and remembering why you started. If you keep at it, you’ll eventually be rewarded with the satisfaction of creating great guitar music.
SOURCES:
http://www.4guitar.co.uk/top-3-guitar-chords-for-beginners.asp
https://www.strumlikeapro.com/disadvantages-of-playing-guitar/
https://guitargearfinder.com/faq/thinking-about-learning-guitar/
https://leftyfretz.com/apartment-guitar-tips/
https://midlifeguitar.com/why-do-my-fingers-turn-black-when-playing-guitar/
