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CaptainCaveman
10-11-2006, 07:36 AM
Hi
I am to play an acoustic outdoor gig in the middle of november, but i have a serious problem. I have always had trouble keeping my hands warm when i play (seriously, even playing inside, shredding the living **** out of my strat). Have any of you ever dealt with this problem? I am really nervous that my fingers will become stiff so we canīt finish the gig.

thanks
silent-storm
10-11-2006, 08:03 AM
yikes...november is tedonitis season for me. Cold weather + end of semester = bad news.

My best suggestion would be to try and find a hot water tap and soak your entire forearms right before you play. Just soaking your hands wont cut it, you need to heat up as much of the arm as you can. Then just wear as many layers as possible without restricting your movement. Unless it's over 30 in the middle of the summer, I always start off wearing more then one shirt. If you are sweating beforehand it's going to be a while before you start to cool down and you can always take something off if you get too warm.
Kinoble
10-11-2006, 12:33 PM
I agree with silent-storm. I HATE winter in a sense beacause of what it does for my guitar playing-cold fingers, lack of dexterity, not good news for tendonitis.

Be extra sure to warm up-chromatic exercises before you play etc so you dont strain your tendons.

Just wrap up warm and soak your hands like silent-storm says, you should be fine.

Good luck!

Ben
UKRuss
10-11-2006, 12:45 PM
Golfers use a little gadget that you keep in your pocket and it stays warm. When your hands get cold you can simply press it in your hand.

Any good golf shop will have them, get one, keep warm.
Kinoble
10-11-2006, 01:05 PM
Can you give us a link Russ, the only ones i can find are the non-reusable pads which i dont think are what you meant.

Ben
MattW
10-11-2006, 11:57 PM
I have a couple of those handwarmer things, but haven't yet used them. They are both made by a company called Gelert.
http://www.gelert.com/products/Hot_Gel_Handwarmer_twin_packs.aspx
http://www.gelert.com/products/Hot_Pad_Handwarmer_Twin_Packs.aspx

I don't know what the second ones are, I think they require hot water or something and the pad retains the heat. The first link is the ones that I have, there is a little coin type thing inside it that you bend and they just heat up...apparently!! I will give them a go tomorrow if I'm jamming with the band in the cellar, it can get a bit cold at this time of year.:p

edit: Here is a link with a bit of a description: http://www.venturesport.co.uk/venturesport_product.asp?parseid=4256
Kinoble
10-12-2006, 12:12 AM
Nice one Matt, thanks. Are the ones youve got re-usable?

Ben
UKRuss
10-12-2006, 09:27 AM
The re-usable ones tend to have a burner in the middle of a case that you need to replace once it's burnt down.

No flames or anything they burn at low temp so just smoulder in the casing and heat it up nicely.

I guess you buy the sticks to go in the middle and replace as necessary. I can't find a link I'm afraid.

they're a bit like hip flasks I would think, you can find them in old gents outfitters and the like. LOL.
ashc
10-12-2006, 10:40 AM
You can get re-usable gel ones that have a disc in the middle that you give a click and off they go for an hour or so (some catalytic thing going on there).

You just need to boil 'em up in a saucepan before next time.

They sell them in walking / camping gear shops (e.g. Blacks for UK readers) which is what we use them for.
Kinoble
10-12-2006, 04:36 PM
Cheers guys for the info. BRRRRRRR its getting chilly even now, so i think i will invest.

Ben
eastwood
10-12-2006, 06:50 PM
they're a bit like hip flasks I would think, you can find them in old gents outfitters and the like. LOL.

Suits you....Oh ! Suits you...Oh !!!!

:p

Daz
UKRuss
10-12-2006, 08:28 PM
Lol.
MattW
10-13-2006, 08:26 AM
Nice one Matt, thanks. Are the ones youve got re-usable?

Ben

Yep, you just need to boil them like ashc said. I think the first link I posted will be reusable ones (even though it doesn't say) the last link is definitely though.
Kinoble
10-13-2006, 12:09 PM
Cheers for the info Matt.

Are they any good?

Ben
joeyd929
10-13-2006, 12:37 PM
I can't play at all in cold weather. Hand just freezes up..no pun intended..
hairballxavier
10-14-2006, 04:33 AM
The re-usable ones tend to have a burner in the middle of a case that you need to replace once it's burnt down.



No flames or anything they burn at low temp so just smoulder in the casing and heat it up nicely.



I guess you buy the sticks to go in the middle and replace as necessary. I can't find a link I'm afraid.



they're a bit like hip flasks I would think, you can find them in old gents outfitters and the like. LOL.

The thing is, I think it would be a bit awkward trying to play with a hand warmer in your hand. One of these things (http://www.masterheaters.com/kero/) is just the ticket for an outdoor gig in the cold.
silent-storm
10-14-2006, 08:54 PM
The thing is, I think it would be a bit awkward trying to play with a hand warmer in your hand. One of these things (http://www.masterheaters.com/kero/) is just the ticket for an outdoor gig in the cold.

I think the idea is to have the warmer in your pockets and put your hands in your pockets whenever you aren't playing.
metalmike06
10-24-2006, 06:36 AM
Yikes. Yeah just keep the hands in the pockets as much as you can I guess, maybe even get some handwarmers. Wear a coat, etc before playing. I remember my old bands first gig was in November last year at an indoor skate park with the doors wide open. Lets just say 40 degrees+short sleeves+no time to warm up+playing speed/power metal = embarrassment :P
Michael. A
10-25-2006, 04:38 PM
Never play in the cold or with cold hands. Its the worst thing you can possibly do for your hands besides put them in a lava or have them crushed by a giant boulder :).

I have RSI and after once feeling almost completely healed I went for a jamming session out in the cold with a friend. Next day I had full on symptoms all over again.