Building up endurance

**Avagar** · Joined: 11 Jan 2007 Posts: 110

I've been wondering, are there anyways to build up endurance in your strumming arm? My right arm starts aching about 3/4 through most songs, wondering if there was any kind of special training that would help ease the ache?

**Mashishi** · Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2008 8:28 am Post subject:

tampons? Just kiddding. Do you downstrum or alt strum? I personally alt strum everything and never get tired. If you downstrum try alt strumming. It will take about a week or so to get comfortable with, but it pays off
_________________

I want that Purple Stuff!

Some people say cucumbers taste better pickled!

**JWideman** · Joined: 24 Nov 2006 Posts: 394

Along with alt strumming, use your wrist and not your elbow.

**Strykerx** · Joined: 02 Jul 2007 Posts: 3110 Location: Pants

Play The Way it Ends or Knights of Cydonia 5 times a day for 2 weeks. Really.

Although I still downstrum everything unless its really fast.
_________________

STRYKERX.COM

**brian0153** · Joined: 31 Dec 2007 Posts: 108

play alot

**punkmetalpimp677** · Joined: 10 Oct 2007 Posts: 121 Location: JMU, VA

Alt strum note sequences where the same note or chord is repeating a bunch of times fast, and use hammers whenever you can. Also, if you know a song well, and are used to playing it, your arm tends to stop being bitchy. Obviously, playing alot is the only real way you can do that. Use the high frets on solos if you have an RB guitar, that way you dont have to strum at all during them.

As an absolute last resort, on songs that are difficult to alt strum and are tiring no matter how much you play them (Electric Version and Dead On Arrival come to mind) if you absolutely have to, pause the song when your arm can't take it anymore, relax for 20 seconds or so, and continue.
_________________

Great Bands No One's Ever Heard Of:
Chronic Future
Borialis
Protein
Sev

LISTEN TO THEM AND SPREAD THE WORD!

(Dream Theater is still the best band ever)

**davies** · Joined: 29 Jan 2007 Posts: 201

just playing alot builds up endurance.. i never thought i would have enough endurance to play the way it ends multiple times in a row.. but after playing it enough it just comes to you.. your arm will just start flowing.
_________________

WAHHHHHHHH

**reymysteriofan44** · Joined: 28 Jan 2008 Posts: 4

seven by vagiant makes my arm killllll