AM1 Posted April 16, 2009 Share Posted April 16, 2009 Just after some advice. I have probably been completely overdoing the practice but for the second time now there is a pain in the underside of my left forearm..the first time around it went away in a few days, now it's been here all week but it's also going down into my index finger now, so when I flex my finger, there's pain in my arm! I probably didn't help matters by vowing to lay off the bass for a few days then idling away a few hours every day jamming with old forgotten tunes. Whoops. It's probably a muscle strain, just wondered if anyone else has had similar? How long is it going to take to get the strength up in my hands and arms that this type of stuff doesn't happen any more? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
escholl Posted April 16, 2009 Share Posted April 16, 2009 what kind of pain is it? dull, sharp, shooting, etc, etc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreeneKing Posted April 16, 2009 Share Posted April 16, 2009 Train don't strain. You've got to give the body a chance to adapt Anne Marie. That's you told then Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AM1 Posted April 16, 2009 Author Share Posted April 16, 2009 [quote name='GreeneKing' post='464442' date='Apr 16 2009, 09:37 PM']Train don't strain. You've got to give the body a chance to adapt Anne Marie. That's you told then [/quote] I AM training. It's *special* training. It involves drinking beer and eating cake. Mehe. No, seriously, my body is a temple. Of doom. Haha. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tait Posted April 16, 2009 Share Posted April 16, 2009 i found this when learning to play hit me with your rythm stick. have to tried raising/lowering your bass? that and playing less sorted it for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AM1 Posted April 16, 2009 Author Share Posted April 16, 2009 [quote name='escholl' post='464440' date='Apr 16 2009, 09:36 PM']what kind of pain is it? dull, sharp, shooting, etc, etc[/quote] A damned annoying one as I've just got a book of slinky basslines and I'm *itching* to pick up my bass. I have managed to resist the temptation so far....but I may not hold out much longer! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
escholl Posted April 16, 2009 Share Posted April 16, 2009 [quote name='AM1' post='464452' date='Apr 16 2009, 09:48 PM']A damned annoying one as I've just got a book of slinky basslines and I'm *itching* to pick up my bass. I have managed to resist the temptation so far....but I may not hold out much longer![/quote] haha ^_^ just wondering as i had something similar only on my right side and running down to my pinkie, not my index finger -- i don't know what it was but it was very very painful and wouldn't go away. luckily in my case it wasn't related to my bass playing though. i found loosening the tension in my muscles by massaging them would help though, maybe some sort of hand stretching sort of thing before you play might help you out? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Funk Posted April 16, 2009 Share Posted April 16, 2009 Phhfft. Told you your technique was all wrong. Seriously though, what kind of pain and when? When are you gigging next btw? I've found my old metronome, which you can have if your band's good. If you're bad, I'll throw it at your drummer's head. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AM1 Posted April 16, 2009 Author Share Posted April 16, 2009 (edited) [quote name='The Funk' post='464529' date='Apr 16 2009, 10:55 PM']Phhfft. Told you your technique was all wrong. Seriously though, what kind of pain and when? When are you gigging next btw? I've found my old metronome, which you can have if your band's good. If you're bad, I'll throw it at your drummer's head.[/quote] Last Saturday in Belgium!! Some guy dropped his trousers and hung his ass over the metal barrier at the front, while our singer then proceeded to climb on it and crowd surf. Am I supposed to play basslines whilst this chaos is going on?!?!?! I got absolutely wasted on free beer until 6AM then kipped on a piss stained mattress for about 2 hours then had more beer for breakfast. It didn't help matters that a few of us also stayed up drinking the whole night the night before going over to Belgium. I think I had 3 hours kip in 3 nights. Oh dear. Yeah...we're playing more gigs in London soon, I'll give you the details, come along, no mooning or crowd surfing though!! I think it's pure overdoing bass playing that's caused a bit of strain.... Edited April 16, 2009 by AM1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
velvetkevorkian Posted April 16, 2009 Share Posted April 16, 2009 IME pain in the hands and arms is usually caused by tension in the shoulder area- most people carry quite a lot of tension there without realising, and it only manifests itself when the whole arm is strained. As mentioned, a massage is good, failing that plenty of stretching before, during breaks from and after playing will help. Electric bass playing is not a massively physical activity (unless you're down tuning to Z# and stringing it with brake cables) and your arms should really be used to that kind of exertion after a couple of months of playing- IIRC you mentioned before that you have done fairly long rehearsals- was this a problem then? You may also be using too much pressure when fretting (I assume you're right handed)- try to fret with the lightest touch that will allow the notes to ring fully. Hope that helps somewhat- this is something that I have struggled with before and it can be a real PITA to sort out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Tinman Posted April 16, 2009 Share Posted April 16, 2009 [quote name='AM1' post='464539' date='Apr 16 2009, 11:08 PM']I got absolutely wasted on free beer until 6AM then kipped on a piss stained mattress for about 2 hours then had more beer for breakfast. It didn't help matters that a few of us also stayed up drinking the whole night the night before going over to Belgium. I think I had 3 hours kip in 3 nights. Oh dear.[/quote] You don't fool me - you are tBBC aren't you? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jakenewmanbass Posted April 16, 2009 Share Posted April 16, 2009 (edited) [quote name='AM1' post='464539' date='Apr 16 2009, 11:08 PM']Last Saturday in Belgium!! Some guy dropped his trousers and hung his ass over the metal barrier at the front, while our singer then proceeded to climb on it and crowd surf. Am I supposed to play basslines whilst this chaos is going on?!?!?! I got absolutely wasted on free beer until 6AM then kipped on a piss stained mattress for about 2 hours then had more beer for breakfast. It didn't help matters that a few of us also stayed up drinking the whole night the night before going over to Belgium. I think I had 3 hours kip in 3 nights. Oh dear. Yeah...we're playing more gigs in London soon, I'll give you the details, come along, no mooning or crowd surfing though!! I think it's pure overdoing bass playing that's caused a bit of strain....[/quote] Lightweight... just in case: Edited April 16, 2009 by jakesbass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geek99 Posted April 17, 2009 Share Posted April 17, 2009 Short term _ You could try ibuprofen as this has an anti inflammatory effect - also consider buying a wheat bag. Really need to solve why this is happening though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
51m0n Posted April 17, 2009 Share Posted April 17, 2009 Yes I've suffered this exact same thing. Was/is really brought on by being lazy about stretching (including back/shoulders/neck all your upper body, arms, forearms, fingers) lightly but thoroughly (full 15 seconds per stretch twice). Followed by some gentle warm ups. I would [b]highly [/b]recommend you get a copy of Michael Manrings video (the one where he plays Watson & Crick at the end, black cover with a picture of the big nosed godlike bassist on the front, picture of him doing something improbable with two basses on the back). He goes into a great deal of detail about a really good warm up routine, economic use of finger strength etc etc. These warm ups definitely help me... Lastly if you use a computer or something similar then check out your posture during use, this can really cause issues since any tension/strain gained during the day job only makes things worse when you pick up the bass. Watch this VERY carefully, I had to lay off for a couple of months at one point! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
escholl Posted April 17, 2009 Share Posted April 17, 2009 [quote name='51m0n' post='464786' date='Apr 17 2009, 10:49 AM']Was/is really brought on by being lazy about stretching (including back/shoulders/neck all your upper body, arms, forearms, fingers) lightly but thoroughly (full 15 seconds per stretch twice). Followed by some gentle warm ups. Lastly if you use a computer or something similar then check out your posture during use, this can really cause issues since any tension/strain gained during the day job only makes things worse when you pick up the bass.[/quote] big +1 to both of those -- my issues were brought about by the computer usage, and as i mentioned -- stretching/massaging helps! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leschirons Posted April 17, 2009 Share Posted April 17, 2009 Maybe I've missed a bit in one of the replies or the post but are you righthanded? I reckon it's just RSI but you need to be carefull, these things don't go away if you don't address the problem. Painkillers are a short term thing but not advisable to sort the problem. May even be worth a visit to a specialist. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean-Luc Pickguard Posted April 17, 2009 Share Posted April 17, 2009 I used to get a lot pain during & after gigs (but never practice or rehearsals ) until I stopped using rotosound suspension bridge cables and started using thomastik TI 344, turned the amp up, used a limiter and played with a lighter touch. Once I was used to it, my sound had just as much attack and oomph, but I could also play faster and for longer on the songs that need pumping 16ths. Obviously what's right for me won't suit everyone, but a change in technique worked wonders for me. Every time a thread like this comes up I also recommend [url="http://www.drkertz.com/bassistguide.html"]Dr Kertz's book[/url]. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Funk Posted April 17, 2009 Share Posted April 17, 2009 [quote name='AM1' post='464539' date='Apr 16 2009, 11:08 PM']Yeah...we're playing more gigs in London soon, I'll give you the details, come along, no mooning or crowd surfing though!![/quote] That's not my style. I'll be the person standing in the middle who looks like he's encased in frozen carbonite but is actually just listening very intently. [quote name='AM1' post='464539' date='Apr 16 2009, 11:08 PM']I think it's pure overdoing bass playing that's caused a bit of strain....[/quote] Been strumming your guitar, have you? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Funk Posted April 17, 2009 Share Posted April 17, 2009 [quote name='escholl' post='465166' date='Apr 17 2009, 03:57 PM']big +1 to both of those -- my issues were brought about by the computer usage, and as i mentioned -- stretching/massaging helps![/quote] I had that with an old desk and old computer. I don't get it anymore. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geek99 Posted April 18, 2009 Share Posted April 18, 2009 [quote name='The Funk' post='465728' date='Apr 18 2009, 12:13 AM']I had that with an old desk and old computer. I don't get it anymore.[/quote] Wrist pad and mouse pad made a world of difference to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AM1 Posted April 18, 2009 Author Share Posted April 18, 2009 Hi, just a quick update. Thanks to all for the advice. OK, I laid right off the bass for a few days and there is still pain in my arm and going into my index finger. Anyway, it is a bit better so I have been playing most of this afternoon again but just jamming, not practicing scales etc. I had a look in the mirror whilst playing and I can see what I think part of the problem may be. It does look as if I am pushing my index finger too hard onto the frets sometimes but the reason is because I seem to be compensating for the fact that when my wrist is bent, the muscle in my forearm (underside) is really tight. I noticed it particularly when I stretch my pinkie to play notes 3 or 4 frets away from my index finger. Probably going up to 45-105 strings so quickly hasn't helped. But it does seem to be partially technique/partially muscle related. I just did a comparison and my right wrist, I can bend to 90 degrees but the left one nowhere near. That's the problem. In fact now when I try and bend my wrist any further, it is hurting that muscle a lot. This is really frustrating, any ideas welcome. Cheers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Funk Posted April 19, 2009 Share Posted April 19, 2009 Don't bend your wrists. For fear of being accused of being a technique nazi, it's bass suicide. Do whatever you have to in order to play with your wrists as straight as possible. My standard recommendation is use your elbows as opposed to your wrists as the hinge. Bent wrists + tense forearms = inflamed tendons. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AM1 Posted April 19, 2009 Author Share Posted April 19, 2009 [quote name='The Funk' post='466536' date='Apr 19 2009, 08:12 AM']Don't bend your wrists. For fear of being accused of being a technique nazi, it's bass suicide. Do whatever you have to in order to play with your wrists as straight as possible. My standard recommendation is use your elbows as opposed to your wrists as the hinge. Bent wrists + tense forearms = inflamed tendons.[/quote] Hiya That's just the thing though, sometimes bending the wrist (fretting hand) is promoted as the best technique, sometimes not. If I play with my wrist straight, my hand goes into that classic guitarist shape, thumb hanging over the fretboard etc and I struggle to fret notes that are far apart on the fretboard. I think with the wrist bent, it is easier to open out your hand and actually have the range to fret intervals bigger than say 2 frets apart properly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
escholl Posted April 19, 2009 Share Posted April 19, 2009 [quote name='AM1' post='466540' date='Apr 19 2009, 08:29 AM']Hiya That's just the thing though, sometimes bending the wrist (fretting hand) is promoted as the best technique, sometimes not. If I play with my wrist straight, my hand goes into that classic guitarist shape, thumb hanging over the fretboard etc and I struggle to fret notes that are far apart on the fretboard. I think with the wrist bent, it is easier to open out your hand and actually have the range to fret intervals bigger than say 2 frets apart properly.[/quote] What i do is keep my wrist straight, or mostly straight, but make sure that your thumb is roughly parallel to the neck instead of hooked over the side of it. When your thumb is like that, what i'm able to do (and i'm guessing you would be able to as well) is pivot my wrist on that thumb, so i can bend it around to stretch to those farther intervals -- without having to reposition my entire hand. In this way, i'm able to keep my wrist straight probably about 80% of the time, but still fret larger intervals or chords when i need to. of course, if i'm spouting complete rubbish, just tell me >.< it really does work though when you get it right! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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