Hi Joe, PLEASE HELP!!!

I know this isn't a direct question regarding your music but it is extremely relevent to all fans who are also dedicated musicians! I heard Flying In A Blue Dream when I was in my early teens and experienced exactly what you described happening to you when you first heard Jimi Hendrix. I immediately knew that I NEEDED to play guitar and for that I truly owe you my deepest gratitude for the rest of my life! As you have always been extremely generous with your advice to guitarists and your music is largely responsible for me embarking on my journey as a musician, I was hoping you could shed some light on how you avoid repetitive strain injuries while forging your physical technique and performing every night while on tour. I have always practised a lot over the last 20 years but have rarely managed to strain anything but I recently developed minor pain in my fretting ring finger tendon practising legato. Medical advice was anti-inflammatories/no playing at all. I have since healed but I need to insure that it doesn't happen again. I teach guitar for a living so if I can't play I can't eat! I have been reading several books on the subject but any personal advice to all of us on how you avoid injury while maintaining your olympic level finger fitness would be appreciated beyond words! Thanks!

Sincerely,

Jason

Hi Joe, PLEASE HELP!!!

I know this isn't a direct question regarding your music but it is extremely relevent to all fans who are also dedicated musicians! I heard Flying In A Blue Dream when I was in my early teens and experienced exactly what you described happening to you when you first heard Jimi Hendrix. I immediately knew that I NEEDED to play guitar and for that I truly owe you my deepest gratitude for the rest of my life! As you have always been extremely generous with your advice to guitarists and your music is largely responsible for me embarking on my journey as a musician, I was hoping you could shed some light on how you avoid repetitive strain injuries while forging your physical technique and performing every night while on tour. I have always practised a lot over the last 20 years but have rarely managed to strain anything but I recently developed minor pain in my fretting ring finger tendon practising legato. Medical advice was anti-inflammatories/no playing at all. I have since healed but I need to insure that it doesn't happen again. I teach guitar for a living so if I can't play I can't eat! I have been reading several books on the subject but any personal advice to all of us on how you avoid injury while maintaining your olympic level finger fitness would be appreciated beyond words! Thanks!

Sincerely,

Jason

PS - I can't wait to see your show when you head through Calgary, Alberta in January! Thanks for that in advance!!!!!!!