And HOW do you do it? The arthritis in my hands is ridiculous now. The index finger of my right (pick) hand is so bad that the main knuckle at the fist is painful all the time and the middle knuckle locks when it gets to 90 degrees. I really can't even hold a guitar pick anymore. Do any of you deal with that, and what do you do? I have tried taking Aleve a half hour before I try to play, and rubbing capsaicin onto the middle knuckle to try and make it stop locking, but nothing really helps much. Well, Rog helps. When I need any guitar work I send him a scratch track of piano playing the guitar part my mind's ear hears and he comes really close to replicating it. Such a drag that I have all those guitars and can't play them anymore. And the new to me Line 6 modeling amp....
I had arthritis in my left pinky finger from a basketball accident and I inherited bursitis in my right hip from my dad. The finger was so bad I avoided G#s on the sax and substituted the ring finger on the guitar whenever I could. The hip was so bad I couldn't walk 2 blocks without resting and I needed a 'blue ice' pack behind my hip to drive.
The finger is completely healed, and I walk 3-4 miles a day and can drive 8 hours with no pain.
Two things.
1) PEMFT (Pulsed ElectroMagnetic Field Therapy). This gets calcium deposits out of the joints. PM me if you want to learn more. I researched the best home unit with the help of someone who manufactures clinical devices.
2) The Arthritis/Bursitis diet. A doctor recommended this and it's worked for me, my wife, my neighbor and everyone else that has tried it that I know of. Results in less than a month.
The diet is restrictive, but it's better than being in constant pain. As a side effect, I lost a lot of weight.
For both arthritis and bursitis, treatment is similar:
Try the dietary approach first, and if that doesn't work, take stronger action.
Foods that may contribute to chronic inflammation are foods with a high glycemic index (foods that convert to sugar quickly), such as fruit juices, sugars, simple starches, or rice cakes, foods heavy in polyunsaturated or saturated fats, and foods high in arachidonic acid. Some specific foods to avoid are:
* Fatty cuts of red meat (high in saturated fats) lean is good * Organ meats: liver, kidney, and so forth (very high in arachidonic acid) * Egg yolks (very high in arachidonic acid) * Poultry - chicken, duck, turkey (very high in arachidonic acid) * Pasta (high glycemic index) * Juices (high glycemic index) * Rice, especially rice cakes (high glycemic index) * White bread (substitute whole grain breads such as rye) * Nightshade Plants bother many people (tomatoes, potatoes, eggplants, peppers, paprika)
Glycemic index charts can be found on the Internet.
Better choices are foods with a low glycemic index and foods that are heavy in monounsaturated fats. Some specific good foods are:
* Salmon and other fish * Oatmeal * Low glycemic fresh fruits and vegetables * Olives and olive oil * Peanuts and other nuts * Whey proteins * Lean beef is good, 100% grass fed is better
I'm not a doctor and am not qualified to give medical advice. This is what worked for me. Do your own research if interested.
I'd try the diet first, but I listed PEFMT first because it's shorter. The diet is free and IMO if you can cure yourself with diet, it's the best way.
Notes, that diet is only a tiny bit restrictive in my eyes, as the bottom half makes up 65% of what I currently eat. I have a few things to eliminate from the top section and we'll be in sync. I'll miss chicken breast (always been a breast man!) but if I can have the full use of my ring finger back at some point it will be worth it. Give my body some time to purge after I make the changes and go from there. I DID find myself eating some food that wasn't as good for me as wiser choices while stores were having supply issues early in Covid World, but that has leveled off pretty well. For a while you'd place an order and they had 60% of it. So you had to go to another store and order the other 40%. And they only had 60% of THAT 40%, so the dollar level stores filled in but with cans and boxes.
This all gives me hope. This locking index finger thing is really annoying because I can't hold a pick.
Thanks to all who answered so far and gave me some sources to look into.
Like you Eddie I had RA that is mostly in my right hand. I can barely bend my little finger. Also like you around 60% of my diet is in the bottom half.
Note that there is conflicting information about arachidonic acid and RA. I was taking Omega 3-6-9 but I'm going to stop it and see what happens.
Here are a few items that may help you play again:
I assume most people like me who are over seventy have some health issues. I have carpal tunnel in my left wrist which has caused me to stop playing guitar for about one year. I just started back a few days ago. I no longer have any pain. I also am trying to not be so aggressive in my playing. I continued to play piano which never caused any issue.
I have some hip pain which is relieved by working out at the gym. Problem is with Covid-19 I have stayed away from the gym. I really want to go back but I am unsure if I can work out with a real respirator mask with P 100 filters on. I have Hazmat suits and mask I use at the farm to mix and spray chemicals with the tractor. I am OK to drive the tractor with an air condition cab, but working out...I'm not so sure.
At times I get fed up with the pain and take oxicodone but then about the only thing I can do is sleep or watch TV....sucks NSIADS use to work but no longer.
Steve Morse the lead guitar player for Deep Purple may not be able to finish the tour due to arthritis and Joe Satriani will take his place. Steve is 66 but has always been a really aggressive player, even with the Dixie Dregs. Steve and I met in a past life flying airplanes.
Exercise, diet, and being more mindful of how you are playing will address most issues. When that is ineffective drugs can be used but there are always unwanted side effect. Being in pain all the time is no way to live.
Best wishes to all you old people....lol
Billy
“Amazing! I’ll be working with Jaco Pastorius, Charlie Parker, Art Tatum, and Buddy Rich, and you’re telling me it’s not that great of a gig? “Well…” Saint Peter, hesitated, “God’s got this girlfriend who thinks she can sing…”
Mario, I just recently asked my doctor about glucosamine, because for years we were told as diabetic that we were not to take it, because I mean glucose is right there in the name. However, more recent research has shown that it will NOT elevate blood sugars, so I will grab a bottle and see how it goes after 30 days or so.
I have one of this type hand strengthener.
But the rubber type that act by you stretching outward would be good to have too to flex against tension in both directions.
I searched for "fountain of youth" but I only got a picture of an old guy and a link to a movie called Cocoon.....
My doctor prescribed a weekly mega dose of Vitamin D-25 and monthly B-12 injection to reduce my joint inflammation. Before the prescriptions, lab tests indicated both were on the low side of normal. Now both are about mid level and my joints are more flexible.
Notes, that diet is only a tiny bit restrictive in my eyes, as the bottom half makes up 65% of what I currently eat. I have a few things to eliminate from the top section and we'll be in sync. I'll miss chicken breast (always been a breast man!) but if I can have the full use of my ring finger back at some point it will be worth it. <...snip...).
Let me know how that works for you.
I love chicken and egg yolks, but they are the things that bother me the most. I don't eat them anymore I can eat some of the nighshades with no problem, but Leilani cannot.
The low glycemic part didn't bother me because I'm a very low-carb eater anyway (<20/day). I do miss macaroni and bread but I enjoy being pain free. I don't eat Oatmeal or any bread as they push my carb limit. I'd rather use my carb ration for something healthier.
My neighbor was walking her dog and hobbling with a cane. Arthritis in her knees was her answer when I asked. I gave her the diet. In less than a month she was walking the dog without the cane and with a lively step.
A few months later she started walking with the cane again, when I asked her if the diet quit working, she said she quit the diet because she just couldn't give up gator-aid, apples, pasta and a few other high-carb foods. Oh well, to each their own.
My wife has had spectacular results with the diet, as well as a few others I shared it on-line with.
I know everybody's different, and if one diet was best for everyone, there would only need to be one diet book.
I suggest people try this strictly for a month and see if they improve. Of course if you have compromised health or are unsure, check with your doctor first. I don't think this will hurt anyone who is healthy, but I'm not a doctor so I don't know your situation nor am I qualified to give a professional opinion.
If that doesn't work, and if calcium deposits are the problem the PEMFT loosens the calcium since it is paramagnetic, and if you follow it with copious amounts of water it washes the calcium away. The devices are expensive (about $500). I bought one for my mother-in-law who had Parkinson's (it helps that too) and inherited it decades later when she died.
Bob, do you have a link to research these devices? I didn't fare well trying to find them. I have arthritis in a few fingers enough to have to sell my Mark V tenor.
BIAB 2026 Win Audiophile. Software: Fender Studio One 8, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Fender Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
I go to a pain management specialist once a month and take a number of prescription drugs. Additionally, my wife bought me several pair of Thermoskin Arthritic Gloves for Christmas a couple of years ago and they have been surprisingly helpful.
I don;t have arthritis but my hands get very sore well the left, I'm a lefty but play right. I'm a fencer by trade and can spend all day cutting wire with pliers so very jarring. Over the years I have found a few things to ease the pain in my hands. I stopped playing steel string and just played nylon which sucked. I found out about "Thomastik Classic S " guitar strings they have a wire core with nylon covering and flat wound bottoms, also very low tension. There are 2 sizes , the smaller are just wire on the top strings but very low tension. I used these string on my neglected steel string acoustic and electric and never have looked back... They are fairly expensive though but worth a try. The other thing I use when my hand gets really sore is a "You Rock Guitar" It's a midi guitar with touch sensors instead of strings on the fret board and strings to strum if you want.. Unfortunately they went broke but you can still buy them on EBay from china.. Not only do they have the worse name for a guitar they look like a toy... Don't let that fool you they are a amazing bit of engineering..
It's great fun to plug into BIAB and jam along with any instrument sound you like... I keep going to Rhodes piano's.. I also started using my right hand on the MIDI guitar to do lead and unsuccessfully using my left at the same time to do base...
When I was 22 I started to develop bad arthritis in both hands, which is worrying when you're a guitarist. At the same time in my other job, I happened to be doing statistical research into medical conditions for the insurance industry - if they're going to insure your life they want to have an idea how long you're going to live! One of the things we stumbled on was that the most common link between food and arthritis was dairy products. This was based entirely on empirical data available at the time.
Being largely vegetarian, I tended to eat a lot of cheese, so for a month I gave up cheese, cream, butter and used skimmed milk in my tea. Coffee I drink black anyway. Miraculously, the arthritis disappeared completely. As a control, over the next year I went back onto dairy several times and on each occasion the problem returned. Fifty years on and I'm still pretty much arthritis free, except when I indulge in too much ice cream. OK so I didn't say I have that much will power. Anyway, it means I can still continue to do Eddie's session work!
Bob, do you have a link to research these devices? I didn't fare well trying to find them. I have arthritis in a few fingers enough to have to sell my Mark V tenor.
And plenty more. They even use PEMFT on race horses because it keeps their joints healthy and lets them race extra years and still win.
From what I learned PEMFT works with Parkinson's (where I discovered it), Arthritis and a couple of other diseases. My Mother-in-law who had Parkinson's Disease went to a clinic and it helped. We talked to the owner a lot and he relayed a lot of info.
The drive was about an hour each way and it became a problem so Ernie at the clinic told us what to look for in home devices: the strongest square wave, north polarity, low frequency device I could find. He said for arthritis, put the magnet near the joint for at least a half hour, flex the joint if possible, and then drink a lot of water to flush the calcium out.
I ended up get her an EarthPulse.
Now once you buy an EarthPulse they make you an affiliate and give you about $100 reward for selling one. I have no intention of selling these devices so if anyone wants one, I can get you in on the "friends and family" plan, I make nothing and you get the commission in the form of a discount.
I think they give you a 90 day trial (they did when I bought one for Mother In Law) and if you don't like it, you deal with them, not me. I'm just passing on the offer as a favor.
The device I bought is marketed as a sleep aid, to get around FDA testing which pumps the price up, so this is about half the price of devices that aren't that strong. But a magnetic square wave at the same power and frequency is no different - Ernie at the PEMFT clinic approved my choice.
I have Version 4, still working. If I were to try this for arthritis only I'd get the Version 6 lite but with the more expensive magnet or the V6 Basic. Your discount comes to about $100.00
I'd try the diet first, because it's free. I'd be strict with the diet, half-stepping does no good (doctor's recommendation to me).
Of course you could do both.
Remember, I'm no doctor (and I don't even play one on TV), I don't know your current state of health, and even if I did, I'm not qualified to give an expert medical opinion. I'm just offering lay-person advice. Do your own research or check with your doc.
I just got a new mattress three days ago. A memory foam Tempur=Pedic. Kind of pricey but after sleeping on it for three nights my back and shoulder pain has been reduced by 80%. I can sleep for a longer period of time. It has been a big deal for me.
“Amazing! I’ll be working with Jaco Pastorius, Charlie Parker, Art Tatum, and Buddy Rich, and you’re telling me it’s not that great of a gig? “Well…” Saint Peter, hesitated, “God’s got this girlfriend who thinks she can sing…”
I just got a new mattress three days ago. A memory foam Tempur=Pedic. Kind of pricey but after sleeping on it for three nights my back and shoulder pain has been reduced by 80%. I can sleep for a longer period of time. It has been a big deal for me.
After suffering for a number of years with a sore shoulder and hip we purchased a Therapedic mattress. They are one step down from Tempurpedic mattresses but still very expensive. Now I can sleep very long hours with no pain what so ever. I hope you will have the same experience as I did.
Dad, how will I know when I've become an adult.
When your day is ruined because they rearranged the grocery store.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac - Special Offers End at 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th, 2026!
Order before 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th and SAVE up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® version 2026 for Mac Upgrade packages... and that's not all! With your version 2026 for Mac purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons FREE! Upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks... that's 222 NEW RealTracks available with version Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac!
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® today for as little as $49! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all available purchase options.
Learn more about the Free Bonus PAK and 49-PAK here.
If you have any questions about which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We're here to help!
202 New RealTracks Released with Band-in-a-Box 2026!
With Band-in-a-Box® 2026, we've released 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 468-488) in a variety of genres—featuring your most requested styles!
Jazz, Funk & World (Sets 468-475):
Our new jazz, funk & blues RealTracks include a groovin’ collection of RealTracks and RealDrums! These include more requested “soul jazz” RealTracks featuring artists Neil Swainson (bass), Charles Treadway (organ), Brent Mason (guitar), and Wes Little (drums). There are new “smooth jazz” styles (4), which include a RealTracks first: muted trumpet, as well as slick new smooth jazz brushes options for drums. Blues lovers will be thrilled—there are more “classic acoustic blues” styles, including guitar (5), bass (4), and drums (10) with blues master Colin Linden, featuring understated and tasty background acoustic soloing, plus brushes drums and acoustic bass. There are also new electric blues RealTracks, including electric blues with PG favorite Johnny Hiland (3) and soulful electric slide guitar from Colin Linden (4). If you love funk & gospel, there are great new options this year, including gospel organ (3) from Charles Treadway, as well as new funk, tango, and rock ’n’ roll drums (3) and bass (1). And for big, bold arrangements, we have uptempo soul horns (4) featuring a three-part hip horn section with options for a full mix or stems of each individual horn — plus an accompanying rhythm section (4) of drums, bass, guitar, and electric piano!
Rock & Pop (Sets 476–482):
Our new rock & pop RealTracks bring a powerful mix of requested favorites, fresh genres, and modern chart-inspired styles! We have more of our popular “Producer Layered Acoustic Guitars (15)” featuring Band-in-a-Box favorite Brent Mason. We’ve continued our much-requested disco styles (10), and added new Celtic guitar (5) with a more basic, accessible approach than our previous Drop-D or DADGAD offerings. There are also highly requested yacht rock styles (17), inspired by the smooth, polished soft-rock sound of the late ’70s and early ’80s — laid-back grooves, silky electric pianos, warm textures, elegant harmonic movement, and pristine production aesthetics. Fans of heavier styles will love our new glam metal (13), capturing the flashy, high-energy sound of ’80s arena-ready guitar rock. We also have a set of rootsy modern-folk rock (18), with a warm, organic sound combining contemporary folk textures and driving acoustic strumming. And we’ve added lots of new modern pop styles (16) — the kinds of sounds you’re hearing on the radio today, featuring exciting new drums, synths, and cutting-edge RealTracks arrangements.
Country, & Americana (Sets 483–488):
Our new country & Americana RealTracks deliver a rich collection of acoustic, electric, and roots-inspired styles! We have new country pop (9) with legendary guitarist Brent Mason. There is also a potpourri (14) of bouzouki, guitars, banjo, and more, perfect for adding texture and character to contemporary acoustic arrangements. We’ve added funky country guitar (5) with PG favorite Brent Mason, along with classic pedal steel styles (5) featuring steel great Doug Jernigan. There are more country songwriter styles (8) that provide intimate, rootsy foundations for storytelling and modern Americana writing. Finally, we have “background soloing” acoustic guitar (12) with Brent Mason — simpler, but still very tasty acoustic lines designed to sit beautifully behind vocals or act as a subtle standalone solo part.
And, if you are looking for more, the 2026 49-PAK (for $49) includes an impressive collection of 20 bonus RealTracks, featuring exciting and inspiring additions to add to your RealTracks library. You'll get new country-rhythm guitar styles from PG Music favorites Johnny Hiland and Brent Mason, along with modern-pop grooves that capture today’s radio-ready sound! There are also new indie-folk styles with guitar, bass, 6-string bass used as a high-chording instrument, acoustic guitar, and banjo. Plus, dedicated "cymbal fills" RealDrums provide an added layer that work very well with low-key folky styles with other percussion.
The 2026 49-PAK is loaded with other great new add-ons as well. Learn more about the 2026 49-PAK!
2026 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
With your version 2026 for Mac Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons for FREE! Or upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for only $49 to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks!
These PAKs are loaded with additional add-ons to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box®!
This Free Bonus PAK includes:
The 2026 RealCombos Booster PAK:
-For Pro customers, this includes 27 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
-For MegaPAK customers, this includes 25 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
-For UltraPAK customers, this includes 12 new RealStyles.
MIDI Styles Set 92: Look Ma! More MIDI 15: Latin Jazz
MIDI SuperTracks Set 46: Piano & Organ
Instrumental Studies Set 24: Groovin' Blues Soloing
Artist Performance Set 19: Songs with Vocals 9
Playable RealTracks Set 5
RealDrums Stems Set 9: Cool Brushes
SynthMaster Sounds Set 1 (with audio demos)
iOS Android Band-in-a-Box® App
Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:
20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyle.
FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
MIDI Styles Set 93: Look Ma! More MIDI 16: SynthMaster
MIDI SuperTracks Set 47: More SynthMaster
Instrumental Studies 25 - Soul Jazz Guitar Soloing
Artist Performance Set 20: Songs with Vocals 10
RealDrums Stems Set 10: Groovin' Sticks
SynthMaster Sounds & Styles Set 2 (sounds & styles with audio demos)
XPro & Xtra Styles PAK Sets On Sale Now - Until May 15, 2026!
All of our XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAKs are on sale until May 15th, 2026!
It's the perfect time to expand your Band-in-a-Box® style library with XPro and Xtra Styles PAKs. These additional styles for Band-in-a-Box® offer a wide range of genres designed to fit seamlessly into your projects. Each style is professionally arranged and mixed, helping enhance your songs while saving you time.
What are XPro Styles and Xtra Styles PAKs?
XPro Styles PAKs are styles that work with any version (Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition) of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). XPro Styles PAKS 1-10 includes 1,000 styles!
Xtra Styles PAKs are styles that work with the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). Xtra Styles PAKs 1-21 includes 3,700 styles (and 35 MIDI styles)!
The XPro & Xtra Styles PAKs are not included in any Band-in-a-Box® package.
The XPro Styles PAKs 1-10 are available for only $29 ea (reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Listen to demos and order now! For Mac or for Windows.
The Xtra Styles PAKs 1-21 are available for only $29 ea (reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the Xtra Styles PAK Bundle for only $199 (reg. $349)! Listen to demos and order now! For Mac or for Windows.
Note: XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 19 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version as they require the RealTracks included in the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
Supercharge your Band-in-a-Box today with XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAK Sets!
With the release of Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac, we’re rolling out a collection of brand-new videos on our YouTube channel. We’ll keep this forum post updated so you can easily find all the latest videos in one convenient spot.
Whether you're exploring new features, checking out the latest RealTracks or Style PAKs, this is your go-to guide for Band-in-a-Box® 2026.
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac is here and it is packed with major new features! There’s a new modern look, a GUI redesign to all areas of the program including toolbars, windows, workflow and more. There’s a Multi-view layout for organizing multiple windows. A standout addition is the powerful AI-Notes feature, which uses AI neural-net technology to transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI—entire mixes or individual instruments—making it easy to study, view, and play parts from any song. And that’s just the beginning—there are over 100 new features in this exciting release.
Along with version 2026, we've released an incredible lineup of new content! There's 202 new RealTracks, brand-new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two new RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
Special Offers
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac and save up to 50% on most upgrade packages during our special offer—available until May 15, 2026. Visit our Band-in-a-Box® packages page to explore all available upgrade options.
2026 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK Add-ons
Our Free Bonus PAK and 49-PAK are loaded with amazing add-ons! The Free Bonus PAK is included with most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac packages, but you can unlock even more—including 20 unreleased RealTracks—by upgrading to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49.
One of our representatives will be happy to help you over the phone. Our hours of operation are from
6:00AM to 6:00PM PST (GMT -8) Monday thru Friday, and 8:00AM to 4:00PM PST Saturday. We are closed Sunday. You can also send us your questions via email.
One of our representatives will be happy to help you on our Live Chat or by email. Our hours of operation are from
6:00AM to 6:00PM PST (GMT -8) Monday thru Friday; 8:00AM to 4:00PM PST (GMT -8) Saturday; Closed Sunday.
Norton Music
I can eat some of the nighshades with no problem, but Leilani cannot.
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean