back pain

chadspivey · #1 04-16-2008, 12:37 AM

I've been playing upright for about 3 months now, putting on average 2-3 hours a day into practicing. After about an hour, I develop a pain in my back just under my left shoulder bone. Has anyone else ever experienced this? Is my body just still getting used to the upright?

Are there any stretches that you do before playing/practicing?

Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Andrew McGregor · #2 04-16-2008, 01:34 AM

Yeah, I get that sometimes, especially if I've been doing too much computer work and then go play.

The right thing is to find someone who can modify your technique on bass *and* whatever else you do so it doesn't happen. In the meantime, find yourself a good osteopath and get them to sort your back out; they can't stop it coming back, but they can give you a lot of relief.

Also, take a good hard look at the ergonomics of every chair and workstation you use regularly, and don't forget the driver's seat of your car.

Eric Hochberg · #3 04-16-2008, 02:51 AM

"Playing (less) Hurt" by Janet Horvath is a good resource. I would limit your practice sessions to half hour or so at this point. Don't play through the pain. Give your body a chance to get used to playing the bass. Three hours a day is a lot if you've only been playing for three months. Our instrument is one of the most physically demanding.

Also, look into the ergonomics of playing your particular bass. This is not a one size fits all instrument.

CT DB · #4 04-16-2008, 05:20 AM

Check out a chiropractor, we're experts in that sort of thing!

uprightben · #5 04-16-2008, 07:56 AM

Alexander Technique is the study of how to use your whole body without stress or strain when playing, check it out, take a class, it works! I find that the best "one size fits all stretch" is the "sun salutation" which is a yoga exersize that takes you through a series of stretches, any yoga intructor can teach it to you. When you play an instrument, you use some very specific, small and seldom used muscles and tendons. Sometimes doing exersize or physical labor that doesn't aggrevate your injury can help balance things out and loosen you up. I don't offer this advise as a substitute for a doctor, but as a way of increasing your options.

stkowalski · #6 04-16-2008, 07:59 AM

this is a simple fix, your shoulders are coming foward when you play. it is a fairly common problem, and i serious doubt you need to see any doctor about this. your bass might be at the wrong height (too low!) and your shoulders are coming foward to reach the fingerboard and a good contact point with the bow on the string. trying raising the bass and play with your shoulders back, keep your shoulders over your chest and not forward. this will not only help your sore back but will also give you a bigger and fuller sound. three times a week i have to play ten to twelve hours a day, physically i get tried, but never ever a sore back. good luck!

LouisF · #7 04-16-2008, 11:46 AM

I switched - after nearly 40 years of playing - to sitting down when I play and using a bent endpin so that this bass is "up" and a bit flat (cello style); I also traded instruments (a large shoulder Maggini model for a bass with smaller bouts). At my age, it's about accomodation and maintenance - starting out, I would think it's about good habits and prevention. All the advice - Alexander, chairs etc - is good, but you might also look to the options of a different bass, and playing style (talk to your teacher)

Louis

Eric Swanson · #8 04-16-2008, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stkowalski

this is a simple fix, your shoulders are coming foward when you play. it is a fairly common problem, and i serious doubt you need to see any doctor about this. your bass might be at the wrong height (too low!) and your shoulders are coming foward to reach the fingerboard and a good contact point with the bow on the string. trying raising the bass and play with your shoulders back, keep your shoulders over your chest and not forward. this will not only help your sore back but will also give you a bigger and fuller sound. three times a week i have to play ten to twelve hours a day, physically i get tried, but never ever a sore back. good luck!

+1 on raising your bass while playing standing. I got to meet and take a lesson with my teacher's teacher, former NY Phil Principal, Robert Brennand, back in the late '70's. He had the most expansive, effortless sound I have ever heard, ever.

First thing he had me do when I came in for the lesson was to raise my bass. He laughed, saying, "So many bassists have back problems from hunching over. I've been playing all my life and have never had a sore back."

Also helped me play closer to the bridge (arco) without having to bend over. Kills two birds with one stone. Enlarges your sound and puts more of an edge on it when you need it. Keep the bass high and stand up straighter.

I keep my bass as high as I can (and still easily get into TP). I am 6'-6" and have never had back trouble, either, thanks to Mr. Brennand.

Also may have something to do with how you are thinking about your arms/hands. Think of relaxed weight rather than pressure. Your arms and hands are definitely heavy enough to press the strings down, even in TP.

larry · #9 04-16-2008, 12:24 PM

I have struggled with back pain, both what you describe as well as lower back pain.

Two things have kept it away -

Don't let yourself get dehydrated - ever. Once you are, it can cause the facia around your muscles to bind up and cause pain or muscles to go into spasm and knot up. It takes a while to work those problems out once they set in. Massage therapy can really help when that is the issue.

The other thing is to stretch every day. Especially your hamstrings. I only get pain if I stop stretching for several days now.

Good luck - chronic pain is a drag.

anonymous02282011 · #10 04-16-2008, 12:38 PM

As has been stated, it sounds like you are over-extending. Ask your teacher for some advice. General rule of thumb, the nut should be about level with your hairline. Stretching is good for the body in general. Yoga, whatever. Chin up, back straight. Breathe. Don't look at your fingers. Envision world peace and good intonation, etc.

Seriously though, relaxation is the key.

flip18436572 · #11 04-16-2008, 12:48 PM

Coming from a new bass player, which will probably mean very little here.

Dehydration and poor muscle flexability in the hamstrings is probably more of a problem, unless you have the bass too low and then it still might be the first two as a combination with the bass being too low.

I have noticed back strain because I have not put the bass up high enough and if I practice too soon after a morning workout of running, biking or swimming or a combination of the above. I stretch after working out, but I sweat a lot and it takes some time for my body to absorb the water.

Just an idea from someone new to the URB.

drurb · #12 04-16-2008, 01:06 PM

I don't think it's all that simple. Sight unseen, I wouldn't recommend that a player raise his/her bass. As we all know, when it's too high, it's hard to get over the bout into TP. I adjust my bass for the "right" playing height that balances easy reach for the area between the bridge and the end of the fingerboard and easy access to TP. Despite having chronic back problems, playing has never aggravated them. All of this is to say that the OP should consult his teacher and, if the height of the bass is not the issue, a healthcare practitioner. We can point the OP to potential trouble spots but, IMO, specific and valid recommendations for change can't really be made from our peanut gallery. Anyway, seems this thread belongs in the technique forum-- no?

chadspivey · #13 04-16-2008, 07:06 PM

Yea, sorry about putting this in the wrong forum, I didn't see the technique forum until after I posted this. Doh! The bass isn't low when I play, the nut is about an inch above eye level, which my teacher says is completely normal. I'm starting to stretch every day and i'm gonna look into the sun salutations strectch for sure. It's only under my LEFT shoulder blade that there's pain, so I'm thinking it's just my body getting used to having the left arm raised up in the air for long periods of time. Afterall, I'm young and healthy and have never had back problems. The pain isn't so bad I have to stop playing, it just worries me that it could lead to some kind of condition. Again, i'm starting to believe it's just my body getting used to this huge instrument. Thanks for all the replies!