Blistered Plucking Finger/Help

[Ron_CPDS]

Yes, I have a blistered plucking right index finger. Played hard at a jam session this past weekend and want to go play tonight. Any suggestions what to do? It is almost a calus, but feels and looks lik a blister. It has not popped, the swelling has gone down, but just wondering what to do so I can play tonight? Bandaid, tape, leave it alone and play like I always do....any help or advice would be great. P.S....I tried playing a little with my middle finger, but seems awkward. Thanks in advance.

Ron

[neurotictim]

I've successfully used Superglue after draining the blister with a sterilized sewing needle... It's a pain in the butt to get off later, but it'll hold through a set or two.

I guarantee a band aid or tape will come off at the worst possible moment, and playing "au natural" will inevitably lead to ripping off the blister... nasty business, but if you can handle it, just remember to clean your strings.

[Greg Clinkingbeard]

Gel type superglue applied to the surface in layers will really help. There is really no substitute for a good callus, but it will get you by.

[Ron_CPDS]

Thanks, I used the superglue and it worked well.

[Johnny Atomic]

soaking your finger in epson salt dissolved in warm water after you've drained the blister helps tremendously.

Just something you have to work through, now i don't get blisters.

Johnny

[Nohandles]

Ditto to all of the above. First gel super grue them Epsom's salts

[Bubba1]

Maybe you could learn banjo or dobro that use 3 picks it has helped my bass playing AND sore fingers, I can still jam and save my fingers for the rest of the festival or jam. Some of the pro players practice at least an hour a day every day (a band rule), it helpes keep hands and fingers in shape. Playing 4 to 6 hour fast jams are a blast but exausting (last weekend at River City Bluegrass Festival in Portland Or) was great 3 days in a row.

[Tim Skaggs]

If you almost have a callus and you wear a blister, it will take forever to get well. My advice may be too late, but here goes; corn starch baby powder will extend you playing time & will prevent blisters after you get well.

[Jason Sypher]

I've tried the soft flexible band-aids at Festivals when all else failed. You could also practice plucking with your middle finger so you can switch off now and again. (or both fingers)

[McGryff]

In a bind, I've used electrical tape. If you're careful about wrapping it on good without any seams on the pad of your finger, it works out most of the time.

I tried Nu-Skin once on a recommendation, but I played it right off within about 10 minutes. Guess the guy who recommended it plays with a light touch!

[fretster]

Use your second finger!

[Leo Eilts]

I was turned on to this trick by a nurse in a middle school near Winfield, Kansas. I had played too hard during the week and were we scheduled to perform. Here's what we did, and I show this trick a lot a bass workshops: First, apply several layers of New Skin allowing it to dry between applications. It contains an analgesic that will also help with any pain. After it has dried, wrap the tip of the finger with stretchy elastic gauze tape. Not too much, just a couple of turns. Lastly, apply anti-chafing cream to the gauze tape. There are several kinds, but the best I've found is called Stanmar Chafe Shield and it's made in Leawood, Kansas. This makes the outside surface of the gauze tape slick like the tip of your finger, so that the gauze doesn't hang up on the strings when you pick. Any residue left on the strings just wipes off with a cloth. I keep this kit in my bass bag at all times and though I don't blister much myself any more, I've helped a lot of other players get through a festival using this technique.

[mstclairmiller]

Nice tip, Leo. However, I always say that if you get blisters, you are playing too hard, and it is a question of modifying your technique to get volume without effort. I always play using the index and middle fingers at the same time - I find it takes less effort and gives a fuller sound than one finger only.

Also, if I need to be louder in a jam, firstly it is probably an illusion and anyone standing 10 feet away from the bass will hear it loud and clear. Secondly, if you really want to hear yourself loud and clear over all those flailing banjos, practice a very light slap. Not a full-on psychobilly slap, just a very light slap to give your note an edge and more presence. It should take less effort than plucking hard. Works for me, anyway.

Oh, and of course, if things are getting out of hand, walk away and find a jam that is more musical and not the loudest and fastest! The bass player has the power, remember!

[Jake deVilliers]

There's a white medical adhesive tape with a fairly glossy outer surface that makes great 'bass tape'. The string slips off it very well.

Wind it from the tip back to get the overlaps the right direction and it lasts all evening. It gives a little crispness to your pizz sound too.

[bickele]

When in danger of blistering with a gig coming up I rehearse with thin woolly gloves on.

b.

[Greg Clinkingbeard]

To help prevent problems I've taken to keeping a dab of Vaseline on the back of the fingerboard. Once or twice a gig, usually towards the end, I'll just rub a little on my fingers. It helps to keep my calluses from cracking too.

[andy rice]

this might be gross to y'all, but when i start to feel the blister coming on during a long gig or session, i touch my fingers to my nose to get that good ole nose grease finger lube going on.

eating fried chicken before you play is a good way to go, as well.

[speedster]

I used to have the blister problems then I bought an eminence bass and take my amp. So when a jam gets too loud or too many guitar players I reach over and turn up the amp....

No work no blisters and I can always hear myself......

Gotta love it....

I'm getting too damn old to pull the strings off the old acoustic 3/4 upright.... It hurts too much and I have severe tendenitis in my left wrist & arm and my hand cramps and the fingers have curled up during gigs (not cool).

Hasn't happened since changing to the Eminence EUB as I don't have to work near as hard !

[Roger Davis]

There is a product in UK that is called Prestoband. Its main feature is that it is a bandage that sticks to itself but not to the skin of the finger. I'm sure that there will be a US equivalent. Bind it round your finger and it will stay on. I used it a lot when I started but now my finger has hardened to the extent that I don't need it any more.

I have had blisters after a few weeks of no gigs but I try to work through the gig by alternating between first and middle finger. By the next gig things will have become OK again.

[moles]

You want waterproof first aid tape - the stuff Jake is talking about. It's got a slightly grippy surface to it - just like your finger. Cheap. Quick. Works.