Things You'll Need:
- ben wah balls
- milk jug
- guitar
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Step 1
These are a few tips on building that strength into your hand to play barred chords. First is of course just practice playing barred chords. Start out just playing until it hurts then play regular chords and notes. Instead of one prolonged practice, Pick your guitar up and strum some barred chords several times a day. At first it will only take twenty or thirty seconds to wear down those hand muscles. Practicing many short times throughout the day those muscles will build up in a few weeks.
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Step 2
Ben Wah balls or golf balls is another exercise you can do to build those hand muscles. Take two balls and work them in circles in your hand. This builds strength and dexterity. I keep a set in the car and do this exercise while I drive.
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Step 3
You can buy hand exercise machines too. I like the ben wah balls better because you work on dexterity. The machines only seem to build gripping strength.
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Step 4
One last exercise I use is to fill a milk jug with water and use it as a weight to lift. Sit down place the back of your hand on the top of your knee Put the jug out on your fingertips. Curl the fingers to lift and lower the jug. I like this because you can vary the weight by how much water is in the jug. Click the kinks below for more info.
