Bleeding from slapping

[Earthday]

I've been running into the problem lately where I'll start bleeding just below my pointer finger's nail from it hitting the G string when popping the D string. Anyone know of anything I could do to change my technique, toughen that part of my finger up (seems impossible), or protect it? Band-aids work, but I find them uncomfortable when I'm playing fingerstyle.

[FireArm]

maybe your strings are too heavy? other than that ive never heard of this problem before.

[MrBorisSpider]

Stop slapping. Problem solved .

[fenderphil]

go and get some nu skin from the drug store

its like superglue for your skin. a little goes a long way, i might add.

it will keep your cuticle (sp) from opening back up and making it bleed. especially if you gig / practice that technique alot.

i played a show once where my nail actually split at the bottom and the cuticle was flinging blood all over the place. i thought it was awesome, but it sure did hurt.

[Mushroo]

Ouch! That has happened to me before, and it is not a good feeling. As with slapping in general, the solution is economical, controlled movements. Slap with a light touch and be as precise as possible. It takes a lot less force than most people think to get a good slap sound.

Also, while the wound is healing, it's a good time to practice popping with your middle finger. If you can pop with both fingers, it means half the wear and tear on each one

[fenderphil]

Originally Posted by Mushroo

Ouch! That has happened to me before, and it is not a good feeling. As with slapping in general, the solution is economical, controlled movements. Slap with a light touch and be as precise as possible. It takes a lot less force than most people think to get a good slap sound.

Also, while the wound is healing, it's a good time to practice popping with your middle finger. If you can pop with both fingers, it means half the wear and tear on each one

indeed. good tip!!!

[the_fonz]

i have this problem when using a pick. it's gotten to the point where i haven't had a cuticle on my index finger for like half a year. all in all, i say it's no big problem.

it's just rock and roll, after all

[Drifta]

i say if playing bass makes you bleed you are definately putting your heart into it! Keep up the good work soldier.

[LumpyGravy]

Originally Posted by MrBorisSpider

Stop slapping. Problem solved .

That was funny!



I'm not a slap/pop player, but it sounds like your technique needs to be attended to.

or


LET IT BLEED!

[Drifta]

Originally Posted by LumpyGravy

LET IT BLEED!

sounds like a emo or death metal band

[LumpyGravy]

Originally Posted by Drifta

sounds like a emo or death metal band

It's a Rolling Stones Album.
Their answer to the Beatles' Let it Be

[Drifta]

Originally Posted by LumpyGravy

It's a Rolling Stones Album.
Their answer to the Beatles' Let it Be

Glad I didn't know that factoid

[Alvaro Martín Gómez A.]

Learn to play rockabilly slap style on double bass and you'll notice how your bass guitar feels like a toy when slapping it.







Well, during the process you may see things like this:

[LumpyGravy]

If ya get a chance, pick up that cd. It's a classic!

[Drifta]

Originally Posted by Alvaro Martín Gómez A.

Learn to play rockabilly slap style on double bass and you'll notice how your bass guitar feels like a toy when slapping it.







Well, during the process you may see things like this:

you know... that might be a great deterrent to having people want to play your bass!

[MrBorisSpider]

What is that giant violin-thing in that picture? Is that a cello or something ?

[EADG mx]

Turn up and play softer.

[Mike Shevlin]

Hey Earth - r u ready for a real solution??? More than anything, it's the Rotosound Swing Bass strings that you are using. During the 80's I tried these strings and wouldn't use anything else for many years, but this was the Metal era and I was using a pick most of the time. The Rotos sound amazing but they have a relatively course surface and they will over time tear up anything in their path (including your hands). I use DR High Beams exclusively now and I think you will be very happy with your sound and I can't imagine a better string for slapping - they are very smooth and sound great. If you don't have them in your area, go to juststrings.com & order them online. Another thing you can do is start using your middle finger as your primary popping finger to give your index a rest when it's torn up. I was still playing with a pick a lot when I started slapping so my index finger was occupied (holding the pick). Now I will still often use my middle finger to pop so that my index is free to do tapping.
The last thing is your bass - You mentioned a Sterling, but I don't know if it's a four or five. Most 4's will have 19mm string spacing at the bridge, but 5ers can be more narrow. I don't know what the spacing is on a Sterling 5, but I have noticed that I run into a lot more 'finger scraping' if I am playing a bass with tighter spacing.
That's the long winded version of my thoughts- Good Luck!

[Surprise Panda!]

Originally Posted by LumpyGravy

It's a Rolling Stones Album.
Their answer to the Beatles' Let it Be

Just whisper words of wisdom, (fill in dramatic Paul singing)

but really

if you try sometimes you just might find, you'll get what you need (fill in dramatic Mick Jagger singing)

[mothmonsterman]

Originally Posted by Alvaro Martín Gómez A.

Learn to play rockabilly slap style on double bass and you'll notice how your bass guitar feels like a toy when slapping it.







Well, during the process you may see things like this:

most amazing picture ever, new desktop?

I get that all the time, i have the hugest problems with hangnail, 7 counting right now, they get caught all the time on strings, you get used to it.