First, I really like your website (lot's of information). I'm 48 years old and just picked up the guitar after not playing it for some 23 years.

After 1 year of playing, I'm still getting some soreness on my knuckles and also some overall stiffness. My practices sometimes can run a few hours straight which are on a arch top guitar with some medium gauge strings.

Years ago I would put the long hours in on a Les Paul which I still have.

Any tips, comments or suggestions would be welcomed.

Thank You,

Phil

The best exercise in the world for left hand strengthening is the trill......
I promise this WILL solve the endurance and strength problem.
As far as pain...no other problems besides getting back into shape???

Also work up to an hour....work up to 2hours...ect.....2 hours right off the bat may be too much at first??

Here is a link to the trill....also Pebber has GREAT vids on the trill.....search around the website and you will find them.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7P07L7BY...CFL7NBcK3yzx3Bo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDjUJQhw2Kk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7JQkwzbqcaw

You can try soaking your hands in warm to hot water before and after you practise.....

Be sure not to use excesive tension though.. the more relaxed you are the longer you can last, and the lower the probablity of sustaining an injury becomes :)