My thumb on my left hand has been really hurting lately, probably because I’m gripping the guitar too tightly when I’m playing, so stepping away from the instrument help me re-evaluate some technique like I vowed in a past rant, “Back to the Basics.”  Anyway, I just picked up the axe this evening and it felt good!  Didn’t really worry about how well I played because I broke a nail last week and still getting used to picking with skin instead of nail.   I did become aware that I’m contorting my thumb a bit behind the neck which is possibly contributing to my problem.  I read somewhere that when you play, you should keep your thumb in line with your index and middle fingers.  For a better analogy, act like you were holding a piece of paper between your fingers.  What I was doing was moving my thumb way out of place putting a strain on the muscles.  That along with gripping so tight, I did a little bit of damage but I’ve had these issues before and must have fallen into bad habits again.  Yet another reason why I should start taking lessons again.

So the mantra this week is to play relaxed, play relaxed, breathe in, breathe out…….. Ahhhhhh…… much better.