working as a web dev, 8+ hours at a keyboard. by evening my hands are tired and i just want to zone out.
been trying to do 20 min before work instead. it’s not much but it’s consistent. any other devs who play — how do you manage it?
Plug the guitar output into your work computer and make every chord input a different letter so you can code with it.
I would do hand exercises. It will improve your skills and stamina for work and guitar.
For about a year I’ve been playing the piano. What works best for me is to have a “curfew” on all electronic devices (or rather all devices with a display) for about 2 hours before sleep, during which I also read when I get tired from practicing. The bonus part is that my sleep improved drastically.
I regularly spend more than 8 hours a day at a keyboard but hand fatigue is not something I experience at all. Back, neck - sometimes. Hands? Never. Though I have put a lot of thought into ergonomics - desk, chair, staggered layout custom split keyboard, nice mouse (not vertical yet but I’ll probably switch soon). May I suggest you explore ergonomic equipment if you’re not familiar with it?
Back when I tried playing guitar a bit I actually liked taking short breaks from work to play. It gave me something else to focus and come back to a problem with fresher mind.
Hey, would you mind giving any advice on looking for ergonomic keyboards? Ive been really thinking about switching my setup to better support myself (wrist and lower back pain mostly), but keyboards in particular are just… A lot to figure out it seems. I figure if you went full custom you probably know what you’re doing.
Up to now, I’ve been very much a mechanical keyboard person as much as the next, with my personal switches of choice being Cherry MX Browns… If that matters? I generally like a quieter responsive keyboard.
Use case is pretty general - programming/writing and gaming.
Thank you for any help or advice to anyone who replies in advance.
Every 45 min or so, I take a 5-ish minute break. I usually use it for light exercise, but sometimes I have a bassline stuck in my head, so I pick up my bass and play it for a few minutes. Taking small breaks is good for you, and doesn’t really hinder your productivity (source). Sounds like a win-win if you fit in your guitar practice.
by evening my hands are tired and i just want to zone out
This sounds like you could really benefit from taking at least some breaks, and paying attention to your workspace ergonomics. It should not be normalized that you are so tired after work, that you can’t do your own things.
I play wind instruments so despite not strumming, I also use my hands to play. What seems to make a difference is that the movement is very different from typing on a keyboard. (I type blind with 10 fingers.) That difference suffices for my muscles and my brains to separate the activities and recognize music practice as a distraction and relaxation.
I found that I do my morning exercise way more reliably than my afterwork exercise. I try to get 30 minutes in each session.
The biggest game changer, however, was not working 8 hours a day anymore. It also helps to have a boss who’s fine with delays, so you can extend the morning session if you feel like it.
I play guitar but i learned before getting into the career. I don’t play much anymore but i think it depends what your level is and what you’re trying to learn. Rocking along to songs is a way to blow off some steam but you’re also practicing by playing. If you’re just learning chords or strumming / picking patterns, you can sit back and practice them while watching tv or doing whatever what doesn’t involve hands. It can be relaxing too, just do it slowly, don’t push yourself and you will learn the muscle memory either way.
Assuming you’re learning acoustic like me. Learning electric guitar, solos and music theory may be different.
