no such girl Posted March 5, 2011 Posted March 5, 2011 You guys have been so wonderfully helpful so far, so I figured I'd ask this question here. I know some kinds of pain are normal in the beginning and some are really not okay at all. When practicing I wind up with this dull ache between my thumb and my wrist. Is this normal because my hand ain't used to bending this way or is it possible I'm holding the thing wrong. I usually stop and let it chill for a bit when it starts to hurt. Oh how I wish i could afford lessons! Thanks in advance!
b5pilot Posted March 5, 2011 Posted March 5, 2011 Which hand are you talking about? Lydian mode? The only mode I know has the words "pie ala" in front of it. http://www.myspace.com/theeldoradosband
no such girl Posted March 5, 2011 Author Posted March 5, 2011 Oh. That would be some important info, right? The left.
Michele C. Posted March 5, 2011 Posted March 5, 2011 Raise your headstock to eye level. Check that your wrist is straight when your hand is comfortably spread on the first four frets. This often implies shortening your strap one foot below coolness. Do not worry if your belt is visible. When you sit down, try keeping your bass on your left thig. -- Michele Costabile (http://proxybar.net)
no such girl Posted March 5, 2011 Author Posted March 5, 2011 If I was worried about being cool, I'd have posted at the coolpeople.com forum.
Rocky McDougall Posted March 5, 2011 Posted March 5, 2011 Bass at a high level and about 45 degrees, not cool but comfortable. Do you practice sitting down or standing" "Democracy is two wolves and a lamb, voting on what to eat for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb, contesting the vote." Benjamin Franklin
b5pilot Posted March 5, 2011 Posted March 5, 2011 If you want to be "cool" you can still wear it low just hold it more vertical like an upright, kind of like P-nut does. It'll straighten out your hand. Still I wouldn't recommend it. Wear it higher and at a 30 degree angle. Not "cool" but more comfortable. Lydian mode? The only mode I know has the words "pie ala" in front of it. http://www.myspace.com/theeldoradosband
thabottomend Posted March 5, 2011 Posted March 5, 2011 I remember somebody telling me that I should adjust my strap so that the bass didn't move when I went from sitting to standing (resting on my left thigh when sitting and didn't lower when I stood up). That kept my left hand in proper alignment. It's worked for me so far. Do not be deceived by, nor take lightly, this particular bit of musicianship one simply describes as "bass". - Lowell George "The music moves me, it just moves me ugly." William H. Macy in "Wild Hogs"
Ross Brown Posted March 5, 2011 Posted March 5, 2011 My strap slides on my shoulder... I move my bass depending on what I need... "When I take a stroll down Jackass Lane it is usually to see someone that is already there" Mrs. Brown
Michele C. Posted March 6, 2011 Posted March 6, 2011 I remember somebody telling me that I should adjust my strap so that the bass didn't move when I went from sitting to standing It was in a Billy Sheehan video perhaps? To keep the bass in the same place standing and sitting I use a foot stand, classical guitar style. -- Michele Costabile (http://proxybar.net)
Seamy ALB Posted March 6, 2011 Posted March 6, 2011 I think that the pain you are referring to is actually from holding the notes on the fret board. Sometimes when you are starting their is a tendency to grip to hard and your hand kind of cramps. Watch your breathing also sometimes people stop when they are playing and this can lead to all sorts of pain. When you are warming up always start high up the neck where the frets are closer together then move down and increase the stretch. http://www.facebook.com/pages/A-Little-Bitter/185235472447
Rocky McDougall Posted March 6, 2011 Posted March 6, 2011 Like Seamy said, I would stop breathing because I was concentrating so hard, (I actually scared myself several times). Also for about 2 years, I would develop a cough (I think the low bass vibration tickled my throat). The most embarrasing, I would drool out of the left side of my mouth. And, of course I've had every kind of pain in my fingers, wrist, forearm, elbow, shoulder and neck. This is all over a 40 year period, so you have a lot to look forward to. Rocky "Democracy is two wolves and a lamb, voting on what to eat for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb, contesting the vote." Benjamin Franklin
Phil W Posted March 6, 2011 Posted March 6, 2011 It's all in the wrist angles. I wore my bass at a good height and still got carpal tunnel. Just watch your wrist angles. The electric bass is not a particularly well designed instrument ergonomically - it;s just an oversized guitar, you have to watch for excessive wrist bending on low and high notes and adjust your playing accordingly. http://philwbass.com
Wally Malone Posted March 6, 2011 Posted March 6, 2011 The most embarrasing, I would drool out of the left side of my mouth. Rocky Rocky, was the stage level or were you tilting your head? I have basses to play, places to be and good music to make!
Rocky McDougall Posted March 6, 2011 Posted March 6, 2011 I don't know why but it just stopped???? I never got a good picture of any angles, stage or head. I think it was a "slobering love affair" with the music or my talent. Rocky "Democracy is two wolves and a lamb, voting on what to eat for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb, contesting the vote." Benjamin Franklin
Wally Malone Posted March 6, 2011 Posted March 6, 2011 I tried to use an emoticon but for some reason I couldn't get it to work. I guess I could have typed a "LOL" Wally I have basses to play, places to be and good music to make!
Griffinator Posted March 7, 2011 Posted March 7, 2011 I'm just in awe of that entire exchange between Rocky and Wally. Rocky, that was WAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY more info than I ever needed to know. A bunch of loud, obnoxious music I USED to make with friends.
Michele C. Posted March 7, 2011 Posted March 7, 2011 Ah, yes, Rocky: breathing while playing. Steve Swallow was very precise on that. I think I should breathe more while playing and should try to get more attention to it. -- Michele Costabile (http://proxybar.net)
Graham56 Posted March 7, 2011 Posted March 7, 2011 I dunno, if you stop breathing while you play at least you will have a setlist full of short, snappy songs... www.talkingstrawberries.com - for rocking' blues, raw and fresh!
5 string Mike Posted March 7, 2011 Posted March 7, 2011 If you're using the "eagle claw" method where your thumb is gripping the neck, you might be putting a lot of pressure on that part of your hand and causing an issue. If your thumb is flat on the neck and the ache is there after awhile, it may be an issue of building up strength in your fingers. Your finger muscles should work up to pushing the string into the fretoard. It may be your thumb, being stronger, is trying to pull the string down through your finger (if that makes sense). Think of it like a push-up, where your arms should be doing the pushing, but after a few, you instinctively want to bend your back to push yourself up. In any case, if your hand is tingling like it fell asleep, you are cutting off circulation, and that is never a good thing. Also, a dull ache after playing awhile is usually ok, but sharp pain is not. Listen to what your hand tells you. If it starts to ache, take a break. Don't overdo it and cause an injury. That will set you back a long ways. Something to consider, maybe try one of those therapy balls that people use after hand surgery to help build up your hand/finger muscles. "Political language... is designed to make lies sound truthful and murder respectable, and to give an appearance of solidity to pure wind"- George Orwell
Groove Mama Posted January 17, 2012 Posted January 17, 2012 no such, here's an article on Left Hand Thumb: Pressure - a how-to guide that might be helpful for you. Queen of the Quarter Note "Think like a drummer, not like a singer, and play much less." -- Michele C.
picker Posted January 17, 2012 Posted January 17, 2012 ...Also, a dull ache after playing awhile is usually ok, but sharp pain is not. This. Always remember that you are unique. Just like everyone else.
Chad Thorne Posted January 17, 2012 Posted January 17, 2012 Been so long since i was a newbie I don't really remember, but: MAN: Doc, it hurts when I do this.DOC: Don't do it. Not to suggest you stop playing, but as above see if your position or something is making your hand hurt. Also, we've talked about your bass set-up before, yeah? My approach is to have the action (string height) just as low as possible. There's no benefit in a high action. FWIW.
Chad Thorne Posted January 17, 2012 Posted January 17, 2012 If I was worried about being cool, I'd have posted at the coolpeople.com forum. And, oh, by the way - are you saying we're not cool?
Ross Brown Posted January 17, 2012 Posted January 17, 2012 We are cool.... Chad's here.... "When I take a stroll down Jackass Lane it is usually to see someone that is already there" Mrs. Brown
Ross Brown Posted January 17, 2012 Posted January 17, 2012 I do what I can. "When I take a stroll down Jackass Lane it is usually to see someone that is already there" Mrs. Brown
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