What does it mean when you muscles tense up when playing the guitar?

Every action requires a certain amount of muscle tension and energy. The goal is to use that amount, and no more. When our muscles tense up while playing guitar, it means that we are using too much energy.

How tense should my hands be when playing guitar?

The answer to this question is, “Well, it depends.” And it takes time and experience to get it consistently right. At first, there’s no way of really knowing, and we just guess. Over time, we gain awareness of all the factors involved and can work to introduce nuance and subtlety. But until that time, we use a shovel where a spoon would work. We expend more energy than is necessary. Every action requires a certain amount of muscle tension and energy. The goal is to use that amount, and no more. Job one is recognizing inappropriate tension, and realizing that we may not yet know just what “appropriate” is in any given situation.

Why do my hands tense up when playing guitar?

Most people tense up when playing guitar, especially in their first few years playing. This is because we are using too much energy to play the guitar. The goal is to use the right amount. No more, no less. You can start dealing with the issue by focusing on the tension in your body, without having the guitar in your hands.

A Few Thoughts on Excess Tension in Your Playing

Exploring my own tension habits on the guitar has led me to spend copious hours over the years re-working my technique and movements, and studying with an Alexander Technique teacher (AT is all about breaking habits of tension). I also notice excess tension in many of my students, and work with them to change the habits that lead to it.

The question comes up quite frequently, and so I decided to weigh in publicly on the issue.

Here is an off-the-cuff video with some of my thoughts around tension, and what to do about it. While this video deals with tension in general, I will add that developing the right fundamental techniques and movements is also extremely helpful (or at least not harmful!).

Enjoy!

Hi, I’m Allen Mathews.

I started as a folk guitarist, then fell in love with classical guitar in my 20’s. Despite a lot of practice and schooling, I still couldn’t get my music to flow well. I struggled with excess tension. My music sounded forced. And my hands and body were often sore. I got frustrated, and couldn’t see the way forward. Then, over the next decade, I studied with two other stellar teachers – one focused on the technical movements, and one on the musical (he was a concert pianist). In time, I came to discover a new set of formulas and movements. These brought new life and vitality to my practice. Now I help guitarists find more comfort and flow in their music, so they play more beautifully.
Click here for a sample formula.

Great advise here. I find I am taking more time with the pieces than I would have in the past as I am focusing on the technique you have taught me. It is slower going at first but has fewer frustrations, is easier and sounds better in the end.

~ Karen Richardson

-Karen Richardson

Hi Allen,
Greetings from the UK. I would like to thank you for providing such an excellent resource. The effort and skill which has gone into creating this program is very evident. I started classical guitar a year or so ago with a teacher but was unable to commit to same time regular slots each week.

The Woodshed Program was exactly what I was looking for. I have found the site very intuitive and well structured and have taken your advice and started from the very beginning of the program whilst still practising some of the pieces I was already working on. It is clear that I will benefit greatly from these early technical studies. There were clearly weaknesses and gaps in my knowledge even though I am still at an early stage. Once again many thanks for the program and very best wishes.

~ Rodger Paylor

-Rodger Paylor