stratdancer
Joined: Dec 11, 2013
Posts: 2537
Akron, Ohio
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Posted on Nov 13 2016 06:26 AM
To increase the shock and awe of my bands performance we have adopted opening the show with 4-5 hard hitting and very aggressive songs with no breaks in between. Kind of like a Ramones 1,2,3,4 bam! To keep up with the potential fatigue in my picking arm I have resorted to upper body building to increase blood flow throughout my upper body and arms.
Playing larger strings at higher BPM with bell like tone, the notes have to be struck more aggressively than almost any other form of rock that I can think of. Add that to long cycles of trem picking and you may feel the burn.
Another area of potential fatigue I have found is when I come off a lead run and go into rhythm backup I am hitting a palm muted drip down picking attack very aggressively (Astronauts). This hits a muscle group at the very top of my forearm. Without the precision note palm muting this is not a problem but hitting the pinpoint muted note aggressively really hits a nerve.
What I have found is by using dumbbells to pinpoint those fatigue areas and doing multiple sets I have greatly increased muscle mass and blood flow into those areas greatly increasing my stamina which leads to more aggressive playing. It is now part of my home practice regimen alternating from practice to lifting.
It's hard to believe that music can be considered sport but playing surf guitar can be considered just that. Seasoned players may not need these tips having spent decades working these muscle groups but even they may find some value in upper body weight training. I find it makes you a better, more aggressive and precise player.
— The Kahuna Kings
https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Kahuna-Kings/459752090818447
https://thekahunakings.bandcamp.com/releases
Last edited: Nov 13, 2016 06:38:33
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DonKiyote
Joined: Aug 26, 2014
Posts: 138
Kent
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Posted on Nov 13 2016 07:59 AM
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kruelkats
Joined: Mar 26, 2012
Posts: 206
Bogor, West Java
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Posted on Nov 13 2016 10:44 AM
Have you ever played 3 songs tremolo picking in a row? my right forearm became hard as rock! Gaiiinzzzz
— Umar
The Mentawais
The Rentones
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stratdancer
Joined: Dec 11, 2013
Posts: 2537
Akron, Ohio
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Posted on Nov 13 2016 07:50 PM
Since adding another guitarist to the lineup and wanting him to share in the leads I found that the alternating of trem picking to doing drip tick rhythm guitar to really trigger the burn. That style of rhythm playing is a science all it's own. It's very precise and very percussive.
— The Kahuna Kings
https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Kahuna-Kings/459752090818447
https://thekahunakings.bandcamp.com/releases
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el_camello
Joined: Jul 04, 2010
Posts: 369
Ottawa
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Posted on Nov 13 2016 10:51 PM
I'm just coming off of some upper back muscle pain (mostly related to playing guitar) and hope to lift some weights and exercise to be stronger for guitar. Surf guitar is extreme sport!
— -Pierre
The Obsidians! (Ottawa surf)
The Obsidians debut EP
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stratdancer
Joined: Dec 11, 2013
Posts: 2537
Akron, Ohio
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Posted on Nov 14 2016 04:59 AM
el_camello wrote:
I'm just coming off of some upper back muscle pain (mostly related to playing guitar) and hope to lift some weights and exercise to be stronger for guitar. Surf guitar is extreme sport!
It really is extreme sport. I have sustained shoulder and back ailments throughout my life. Nothing serious but when it comes agressive surf if I don't warm up a little I can feel it. It really all starts between my shoulder blades and runs over the top of my right shoulder and down my arm. Sometimes when we are going through the set list and I can feel it I will change my posture to allow more blood flow over my shoulder. Posture is important. I'm a skinny dude so focusing on the physics of playing sustained, aggressive surf came to my attention and adding the exercise has really helped.
— The Kahuna Kings
https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Kahuna-Kings/459752090818447
https://thekahunakings.bandcamp.com/releases
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stratdancer
Joined: Dec 11, 2013
Posts: 2537
Akron, Ohio
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Posted on Nov 14 2016 05:22 AM
A couple exercises.
10 lb. hold straight out in front and and roll wrist slow up and slowly down ten times for three sets both wrists.
15 lb curls sitting position elbow resting on thigh 10x's three sets. Twist dumbbell as it goes up and down.
25 lb both hands over your head and then behind your back as far as it can go. 10 x 3
25 lb straight out in front up then down 10 x 3
25 lb laying on side pushing straight up 10 x 3 both sides
— The Kahuna Kings
https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Kahuna-Kings/459752090818447
https://thekahunakings.bandcamp.com/releases
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Badger
Joined: Nov 16, 2013
Posts: 4536
Wisconsin
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Posted on Nov 14 2016 05:39 AM
stratdancer wrote:
A couple exercises.
Good stuff.
For those more in the "vintage" category this can (perhaps should) be preceded with some simple twirling stretches using kettle-bells or hand weights, 10 lbs. is fine. Just something to provide a little resistance but overall stretching, particularly through the torso, is a good thing, especially for those not in the "Semper Gumby" category.
Dave, now THAT's an avatar! 
— Wes
SoCal ex-pat with a snow shovel
DISCLAIMER: The above is opinion/suggestion only & should not be used for mission planning/navigation, tweaking of instruments, beverage selection, or wardrobe choices.
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stratdancer
Joined: Dec 11, 2013
Posts: 2537
Akron, Ohio
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Posted on Nov 14 2016 07:55 AM
Badger wrote:
stratdancer wrote:
A couple exercises.
Good stuff.
For those more in the "vintage" category this can (perhaps should) be preceded with some simple twirling stretches using kettle-bells or hand weights, 10 lbs. is fine. Just something to provide a little resistance but overall stretching, particularly through the torso, is a good thing, especially for those not in the "Semper Gumby" category.
Dave, now THAT's an avatar!
More good tips! Blood flow (oxygen) and fluidity throughout the body. Also helps manage adrenaline and energy on stage.
Bill Kahuna the drummer is a hell of an artist. This will be our tee shirt and logo for everything. He's also finishing up two tiki head platforms for the dancers that blow smoke and have red glowing eyes. Genious!
— The Kahuna Kings
https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Kahuna-Kings/459752090818447
https://thekahunakings.bandcamp.com/releases
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OnedinGiraldo
Joined: Jul 17, 2016
Posts: 101
Sacramento
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Posted on Nov 14 2016 09:53 AM
Thank you for exercise list! Found that my upper back was/is contributing to my arms/hands becoming tired, etc. Last thing I want is a sustained injury!
— The Me Gustas
https://themegustas.com
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stratdancer
Joined: Dec 11, 2013
Posts: 2537
Akron, Ohio
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Posted on Nov 14 2016 04:27 PM
OnedinGiraldo wrote:
Thank you for exercise list! Found that my upper back was/is contributing to my arms/hands becoming tired, etc. Last thing I want is a sustained injury!
This is a good page to understand the vessels that supply the blood and oxygen in the arm.
http://www.innerbody.com/anatomy/cardiovascular/arm-hand
— The Kahuna Kings
https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Kahuna-Kings/459752090818447
https://thekahunakings.bandcamp.com/releases
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blackheartsfan
Joined: Jun 13, 2009
Posts: 274
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Posted on Dec 13 2016 11:44 PM
As a former bodybuilder I can say go with HIGH reps, at least 15-20 (or more) and probably 3-4 sets, use lighter weights, concentrate on forearms doing wrist curls, some shoulder flyes/laterals with cable machine or dumbbells either individually or in tandem depending on your back (after my lower back injury one arm at a time works best for me), those exercises will help stave of "arm/shoulder fatigue".
Last edited: Dec 13, 2016 23:45:49
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