Guitarists question? Your hands..? I got a boo boo.

I'm not a professional by any stretch of the imaginations, but I am in an active cover band. I don't really think about it, but I'd imagine id be pretty pissed if I did something stupid and hurt my hands. A year or so ago I had carpel tunnel syndrome and couldn't play for a couple of months. It was terrible.

I have always wondered this myself. I am no pro by any stretch, but i injured my hand at work a while back, had cuts on the outside of my index, ring, and middle fingers and really couldn't bend them at all. Didn't play guitar for about a week. Always wondered how a professional guitarist would handle that. Just get doped up and play through it I guess.

It could be a positive. I've heard Lowell George started playing slide primarily after he sliced his hand unloading for a gig and was forced to play slide the whole show.

I have had "tennis elbow " and found playing guitar virtually impossible as the action of play notes/chords makes he nerves flair up. Had to put the guitar away for 4 months. Stretching exerciseis the only thing that worked beside a cortisone shot.

Steve Howe is well known for refusing to shake hands with fans.

Ive been playing 20+ years have never seriously injured my fret hand until 2 weeks ago .

I was slicing vegetables to make shrimp & grits and hacked the tip of my ring finger off (my most important finger of all 10). I immediately thought of not being able to play guitar when it happened. I was able to still play somewhat, (basically no lead stuff or chord phrasing) and it actually helped me focus on right hand metal rhythm stuff and I wrote a ton of power chord metal riffs over the last few wks. I used my pinkie to compensate for power chords. Finally was able to play a little lead a few days ago and really bending up into a very aggresive vibrato is the only thing that still hurts. I will certainly be more cautious now. I became complacent being as that I cook so often.