Coronavirus, runny noses, and guitar playing….

Disclaimer: I am not a medical doctor, nor am I holding myself out to be. The information contained in this Website is not intended to be a substitute for health and medical care that can be provided by your own physician / medical doctor. This information is for entertainment purposes only.

WARNING: THIS ARTICLE MIGHT GET A LITTLE GROSS

I usually don’t like to write about topical things.

I’d much rather spend time writing about stuff that will ALWAYS apply to guitar playing.

HOWEVER… with SO much of the news/media covering the coronavirus – we have a unique opportunity to discuss something that we hardly ever talk about: Guitar hygiene.

Specifically…

STOP Putting Your Pick in Your Mouth

I know you do it

Everyone does it.

It’s convenient.

It looks kinda cool.

Makes you feel like REAL guitar player.

But it’s super gross.

First of all, think of all of the places that you find guitar picks:

• Deep in your pockets
• Wedged in the sofa cushions
• In the lint trap of your dryer
• On the floor under the coffee table
• Under the seat of your car
• Just about anywhere… except in your guitar case when you need one

Now think about picking up one of those picks off of the floor and immediately putting it in your mouth.

Gross.

How about this scenario: You can’t find a pick (obviously), so your friend reaches into his pocket to give you one of theirs….

Do you even KNOW where that thing has been? Ewwwwww.

I know that your fingers get sweaty when you play (because your guitar pick slips around). Now imagine your friend’s sweat all over the pick that YOU just borrowed… AND YOU’RE GONNA PUT THAT THING IN YOUR MOUTH?!?!?

If those reasons aren’t enough to get your to STOP putting your pick in your mouth… I don’t know what else to tell you.

Now, I don’t buy into the idea that Eddie Van Halen got cancer from putting his pick in his mouth. It seems unlikely, but if it gets you to NOT put your pick in your mouth – go ahead and believe whatever you want.

While we’re on the subject of guitar hygiene, here’s something else you may want to do….

Change Your Strings

I’ve seen some really gross guitar strings.

I don’t know if guitar strings can harbor bacteria, but…

….if I can visibly see dirt on your guitar strings….

…..I’m not touching that guitar AND you probably should change your strings.

I’m not one to change my strings very often, in fact I hardly EVER change my guitar strings. But I try to play my guitar with clean hands. Or wipe down my guitar if it gets dirty or sweaty.

There were times when I played gigs and would hit my knuckles on the strings and they’d start to bleed.

Sometimes I’d have a hang nail that would get caught up in the strings and I’d bleed on my strings.

It’s gross – I know – but it’s a fact of guitar playing (plus “bleeding on your guitar” sounds kind of bad-ass).

We don’t often talk about cleaning our instruments.

If you’re playing a lot, you may want to periodically wipe down your guitar and change the strings. Don’t use harsh chemicals or soaps or a lot of water. Usually just wiping it down with a clean and dry cloth is enough. If you’re not sure, follow the manufacturer’s advice.

Lastly……

Wash Your Hands

I’m a little overcautious about hand washing (especially during flu season).

I teach guitar in the homes of my students – so I’m in and out of their houses all day.

If someone in their household is sick, sometimes the student will cancel a lesson…. sometimes they won’t.

Who knows if my student’s little brother with a cold sneezed on their guitar.

Usually I use my own gear (guitar and picks).

But, sometimes I’ll have to use my students’ gear – maybe they’ll want me to try something on their guitar, maybe I’ll need to tune it, or change a string.

You just don’t know.

If I end up using someone else’s instrument, I usually just use a little hand sanitizer after I leave (I keep a little bottle in the car), and I’ll wash my hands when I get home.

I’ve stayed pretty healthy so far this cold and flu season (knock on wood).

So what are you going to do?

Remember: I am NOT a doctor or medical professional in any way.

Will any of this stuff prevent you from getting any kind of illness? I don’t know.

Am I going to keep picks out of my mouth? Yes.

Am I going to wash any blood off of my guitar? Seriously? Of course I am.

Am I going to wash my hands after teaching a guitar lesson to a student who has a cold? YES!

Use common sense. Go see a medical professional for medical advice.

Next week I’ll be back with some actual guitar playing tips. Thanks for reading!

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Two more things…

If you don’t have a teacher, contact me here to set up online lessons (I use Skype, Facetime, Google Hangouts, and Zoom).

Some people only need a lesson or two to correct their mistakes (that they don’t even KNOW they’re making). Some people need the accountability of having a steady teacher to set them straight!

Also, if you have ANY guitar related questions, feel free to e-mail me… but please consider leaving a comment below… chances are: If you have questions, someone ELSE has the same question and would benefit from your input and thoughts!