Blood Blisters Anyone?

[Sir Edward V]

I was having a very intense jamming session yesterday with two friends playing some rock that at some times was heavy, sometimes airy, sometimes ambient, sometimes funky, but no matter what style I am playing... I always play waaaaay too hard. But I'm not complaining. I know the repercussions of my playing style, and because of the sound that comes out of those speakers I am willing to deal with the occasional blister, broken string, heavy fatigue, etc. But I think yesterday I got a blood blister from our jam. I'm not completely certain yet, but it looks different from any blister I have ever had. It seams like it is rooted deeper in my skin, and its got a darker look to it. Maybe I will take a picture when I get home, but its actually kinda funny, because there is an old blister from a week or so ago on top of it. The new one is so deep that it isn't colliding with the old one. muahaha, lol

Well, has anyone else ever got a blood blister from playing bass, or at all even? Are they really that different from normal ones? So far I feel no pain from it (other than when playing more bass). I am pretty heavily callussed though...

[alexblues145]

hello there, I've viewed this forum for a while but this is my 1st post! I too sometimes getting blood blisters. i was always told to play like i meant it, and i agree with you in the opionion it sounds good playing hard. The only problem i find is that after awhile when ur calus wears down and the blood blister comes to the top it looks like you have brown stains on ur fingers!

[El-Bob]

i've had that exact problem. i also play ridiculously hard, and like you said; it's worth it for the tone.

it usually happens after a full day of jamming, and it usually heals pretty quick. it's deep under the callous (sp?), so i wouldn't reccomend lancing it. it'll be fine in a few days, i usually just ignore it and keep playing.

[Nick Kay]

I use to all the time, but then I refined my technique a ton. Turns out you can sound really aggressive without using excessive amounts of force.

[Martin Bormann]

Seems to me like if you're just bashing the **** out of the strings with your right hand, you should start practicing dynamics. Also Blood blisters? You might want to work on where your fingers are making contact with the string.

[Sir Edward V]

upon further speculation I have determined that it is merely a normal blister

anyways, it is really deep I can play soft too, just not so much with the stuff we are playing. I don't think I need to practice dynamics anyways, haha.

[professor_bills]

I got one of those once froma vicous jam session...I think the culprit was a super fast version of Roadhouse. The drummer who used to play with us more often was apower hitter and hated doing slow blues so he would always speed things up. Our current drummer is much more laid back. Sometimes I miss the power hitter but my fingers don't.

[Sir Edward V]

yeah, this new drummer plays very very hard and its bringing the best out of me

he has some great ideas while playing too I hope to actually start a band with these guys sometime

[Techmonkey]

Originally Posted by professor_bills

I got one of those once froma vicous jam session...I think the culprit was a super fast version of Roadhouse. The drummer who used to play with us more often was apower hitter and hated doing slow blues so he would always speed things up. Our current drummer is much more laid back. Sometimes I miss the power hitter but my fingers don't.

ah, nice

for me it's definitely 'By The Way' by the chilis... can't help but rock it out right down by the bridge, and my drummer is a bit of a heavy hitter too... we covered it last night and sure enough I'm rocking the blood blister today

[alexblues145]

That seems to be it for me too, when your playing hard over the bridge, have to sweat through the pain abit, but its all part of the adrenaline. I think someone said it's just bashing the hell out of the bass, but it will never be as hard as some people ive seen cleaving through the strings with the pick