Back pain while practicing.

[Sharkabilly]

After about an hour of practicing I start to get this lower back pain that makes me have to sit down. I dont really have a history of back pain or anything, I was wondering if anyone else experiences this. I've had trouble finding a decent chair to play with, any ideas? Is there something wrong with my posture? Maybe I'm leaning to much?

[Sharkabilly]

I play an Upton SuperSwing. I'm about 6'1. The top of my head is first fret.

[Dr Piggery]

I like to move around while I'm playing - I don't hold the one position, but change my stance slightly every 2-3 minutes. Now this might be difficult for a beginner who is trying to learn correct technique (which I assume you're not).

Failing that, it might pay to get a teacher to check your posture and a physiotherapist might be able to give you some stretching excerises.

[Andrew McGregor]

Originally Posted by Sharkabilly

I play an Upton SuperSwing. I'm about 6'1. The top of my head is first fret.

Too high. Try lowering your bass; the nut should be at eye level, or only slightly above; you should easily be able to see into the peg box if you turn the bass a little. That might be enough.

Then, you need to get someone to watch you play and try to figure out where the tension or extra flexion that is causing your problem is coming from; best if they have training in this sort of thing, best of all if they're a bass teacher, although sports physiotherapists, Alexander technique teachers and the like stand a fairly good chance of figuring it out too.

[chrisrusty99]

go see a chiropractor

[drurb]

Originally Posted by Sharkabilly

I'm about 6'1. The top of my head is first fret.

Aha! That's a clue to the problem. I've never gotten my head in a position such that it's anywhere near a fret.

[Sharkabilly]

Originally Posted by drurb

Aha! That's a clue to the problem. I've never gotten my head in a position such that it's anywhere near a fret.

I sat staring at the paragraph I typed for 2 minutes trying to think of another way to phrase that. :hmm

Anyone know any good chairs that have solved a similar problem for them?

[MDEbass]

If its your lower back, the bass might be set too high. I would experiment with different hight settings. Raise or lower your endpin until you are more comforatble. Usually when my upper back starts to hurt it reminds me that my endpin might be set to low and when i raise it it solves the problem. So maybe if its your lower back it would make sense to lower it? It might be different for me since I sit when I play.

[reedo35]

A Lot of times Back pain is caused by weak Abdominal muscles.
If they get too loose, they can't support your spine. Do some crunches or sit ups and see if that helps you out.
It couldn't hurt...

[dchan]

Originally Posted by reedo35

A Lot of times Back pain is caused by weak Abdominal muscles.
If they get too loose, they can't support your spine. Do some crunches or sit ups and see if that helps you out.
It couldn't hurt...

CAUTION: Unprofessional Medical Advice Ahead!

Or do the opposite - back exercises. They sort of look like inverted situps.

Position yourself on your bed or some long elevated surface that's not too high like you're doing pushups. That is, your lower body (legs) should be on the bed, while the rest of your body should hang off the bed. Now, put your hand on the floor so that it appears you're doing a pushup, except for only half your body. Except, instead of doing a pushup, use your back muscles only (no arms) to raise yourself and lower yourself. Your arms are there for support and stabilization only. Do these exercises until your back muscles give out, and your back will feel much better.

[Jake deVilliers]

Hey Sharky, try standing up straight and leaning the DB back into you, feet apart, instead of the other way around - that makes a big difference and keeps you from looking like a slab player too!

[Earthquake]

Originally Posted by chrisrusty99

go see a chiropractor

+1

Just do it and have your problem corrected.

[Sharkabilly]

I've noticed after making this thread that I slightly slouch when I play, the problem now is getting the endpin the right height.

[Menacewarf]

Have you checked if you are breathing while you practice?

[Sharkabilly]

Originally Posted by Menacewarf

Have you checked if you are breathing while you practice?

Hasn't even crossed my mind.

[Dave Whitla]

I would say the bass was definitely too high to start with. Also check to see if you lock your knees when you stand. Locked knees will lead to lower back pain for sure. And wear good shoes. If possible, I'd go see an Alexander Technique teacher with your bass.

[drurb]

Originally Posted by Sharkabilly

After about an hour of practicing I start to get this lower back pain that makes me have to sit down. I dont really have a history of back pain or anything

How long have you been playing DB? Is this back pain something new after a history of playing without problems? In any case, with all due respect to the helpful folks who have responded, this doesn't seem to be a problem that's very amenable to internet advice. Your bass may be too high, too low, it may be abdominal muscles, it may be back muscles, etc. I suggest that you have your playing posture evaluated by a teacher. If that corrects it, then fine. If not, then I suggest you seek face-to-face professional healthcare. FWIW, I have a history of lower back issues-- even had back surgery. My back was never bothered by playing the bass. I mention this to point out that everyone's different and that this is something that should be addressed in person.

[Eric Swanson]

Originally Posted by drurb

How long have you been playing DB? Is this back pain something new after a history of playing without problems? In any case, with all due respect to the helpful folks who have responded, this doesn't seem to be a problem that's very amenable to internet advice. Your bass may be too high, too low, it may be abdominal muscles, it may be back muscles, etc. I suggest that you have your playing posture evaluated by a teacher. If that corrects it, then fine. If not, then I suggest you seek face-to-face professional healthcare. FWIW, I have a history of lower back issues-- even had back surgery. My back was never bothered by playing the bass. I mention this to point out that everyone's different and that this is something that should be addressed in person.

Well said. It needn't hurt, in fact, it shouldn't.

I agree with DRURB; this is too important to play with on an online forum. You would do well to get some professional guidance.

That said, get somebody who can play the DB in a versatile, traditional manner, NOT A ROCKABILLY PLAYER (no disrespect or judgement intended here, but that genre is not exactly a font of traditional bass technique).

If you take even one lesson with a good, professional orchestral player, it should clear up a lot of stuff and save you years of time.

Why reinvent the wheel, again, repeatedly, redundantly, over and over? Life is precious; time is our one irreplaceable commodity; don't waste it doing stuff that doesn't work or hurts you, IMHO.

[Gearhead43]

I have a herniated L5 disc that I am still dealing with. (= constant pain) I slap the s--- out of my bass for a couple hours daily.

Playing my bass doesn't bother my back anymore than standing or walking does, so I think Sharky here is probably doing something out of the ordinary to make his back hurt - as others have said, it sounds like the bass is up way too high, and ridiculously so if he is really 6'1" with the nut above his head??

Try adjusting the bass until the nut is about eyebrow level, and then see how it goes, Sharky. Make sure your bass is well setup too, if you are fighting the bass too much for too long it will catch up with you.

[hdiddy]

If you're slouching you're not doing it right. You need to bend your knees and bend at the waist, not with your back. Let the bass fall "into" you instead of you bending into it. And try not to look down too much at your fingers. Your head is a heavy object and tilting it downward puts pressure on your back to carry all that weight.

+1 on the Alexander Technique suggestion but even before that... GET A TEACHER. A double bass specific teacher at that. If they're worth their salt they will tell you what you need to do for your form.

Getting stance/form suggestions over an internet forum sucks eggs.