bass pains

Frantic Slayer · #1 05-04-2008, 08:10 PM

hello, heres my situation, i have a little strain in the muscle(s) on the outside (or right side) of my right wrist. i had it the first time about 2 weeks ago, and now its come back again, so far its 50% less than the first time. ive been told that this is an overuse strain as i have drastically increased the tempo, and intensity of my bass playing. (i have a new teacher, he's great!) the first time it happened i asked my teacher to check my technique, and according to him i was doing everything right. so my question in all of this is, have any of you experienced similar aches and pains? and because i believe that i am burning myself out (physically) what would guys recommend for gradually building up strength and longevity?

sorry if this is one big blob, its kinda late...ill edit it later if needed

Snerek · #2 05-04-2008, 08:27 PM

buy a stress ball, and go nuts...

Frantic Slayer · #3 05-04-2008, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snerek

buy a stress ball, and go nuts...

really? cause there just happens to be one downstairs...(i havnt used it, but i can start)

Fufumonakyla · #4 05-04-2008, 08:54 PM

Advil and Redbull.........the two do Wonders taking away pain.....or getting you so hyped up you can fight through it.....I have been having crazy pains in my right hand letely....probably because at least 25% of what i play in my band is probably 32 or 64th notes(not sure which) in really high tempos.(picked of course)........and it puts a huge toll on my right hand........the pain will start in my fingers jump to my palm, then end up half way down my arm. Sometimes i cant even move my fingers to resituate my pick!!! But yeah....a little advil, or a lot of redbull helps greatly!

But the Stress ball sounds A LOT healthier!

Frantic Slayer · #5 05-04-2008, 09:00 PM

yea i started playing 16ths at tempos around 120-130 range
recently. i started playing scales, 16ths at 138 which is very fast (for me at least), and this is something i just started doing. ive probably played at much lower tempos until recently. ive had kinda a hyper jump in playing, and i dont think my body has caught up yet...

anyways keep the stories, info coming...and to Fufumonakyla thanks for sharing!

crazyguy832 · #6 05-04-2008, 10:36 PM

Fighting pain with advil and red bull is a horrible idea... you need to work up stamina, mate, don't fight it. Advil in and of itself is a good thing, as it's an anti-inflamatory... take it... but don't keep playing. Ice your wrist, give it a break.

FS... really, you're just having a huge jump in tempo and your muscles are taking longer to adjust than your brain. Give it a bit of time and you'll do fine.

^_^

Also, use a metronome...

Frantic Slayer · #7 05-04-2008, 11:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crazyguy832

Fighting pain with advil and red bull is a horrible idea... you need to work up stamina, mate, don't fight it. Advil in and of itself is a good thing, as it's an anti-inflamatory... take it... but don't keep playing. Ice your wrist, give it a break.

FS... really, you're just having a huge jump in tempo and your muscles are taking longer to adjust than your brain. Give it a bit of time and you'll do fine.

^_^

Also, use a metronome...

thanks so much for the advice!...i needed to hear that. i am using a metronome, i started using one recently to stay in time...i also have been using a drum machine as well

marksman2 · #8 05-07-2008, 07:17 AM

dude, based on your symptoms, better check out CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME...

get some rest OR buy a wrist guard.

crazyguy832 · #9 05-07-2008, 11:07 AM

Actually, mate, carpal tunnel affects the inside of the wrist (thumb, index, and middle fingers), not usually the outside. As well, the pain (and/or numbness) usually shoots up the arm as well.

That sounds more like what I have, which is more or less caused from stress, overworking, bad posture, and inflamation of the tendons. Or, simply, overworking your muscles.

FS... yeah, if you played drums, you'd be all too familiar with this. Worst part about learning drums is that, at any given time, either your brain will be behind your body or your body will be behind your brain. It gets extremely annoying after a while.

>_<

Overall, drum machines are better than metronomes, imo. They're still giving a steady count, but it's more of a "real world" count (a drummer isn't going to just be shouting out "Beep! Boop boop boop beep! boop boop boop beep!" at a gig :P). All the different patterns they usually come with (or you program) lets you try out lots of fun stuff, too.

tjbsilv · #10 05-07-2008, 11:20 AM

I get this type of pain every night I play "Disco Inferno" for ten minutes straight!

TJ