Fingers getting tired after playing for a while?

RayO5421 · #1 10-25-2008, 08:00 AM

Hey all,
I'm finally getting back into music after a too-long dormancy. The band I'm in now plays rock music combined with elements of punk, indie, and a little hardcore stuff too (mostly written by me). I'm happy with the way things are going right now; the music allows me to be creative with my basslines and lyrics.

Anyway, I play bass with my fingers. Thats mostly what I've done for ages but I notice when I'm really laying down a solid rock groove (no basslines, straight up 8th notes) my fingers actually start to get... tired of playing? Almost to the point where the groove I was laying down isn't as tight or accurate as before. Its never happend before but then again I've never really played music like this before.

I'm not really for picks and I think picking would hinder me when I was doing a line thats just all over the place. I play at the bridge pickup for the sound but the strings are obviously much tighter there.

So whats the deal? Should I switch my right hand postion? Should I just suck it up and get stronger? Or are there some tips you guys can tell me for playing heavier music?

Thanks guys!
Ryan

Kimpini · #2 10-25-2008, 08:03 AM

My fingers get tired when my amp is turned down too low and I pluck too hard. That could be your problem. Or, seeing as you haven't played for a while, you just need to 'redevelop' the muscles in your fingers.

winstonthecat · #3 10-25-2008, 08:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kimpini

My fingers get tired when my amp is turned down too low and I pluck too hard. That could be your problem. Or, seeing as you haven't played for a while, you just need to 'redevelop' the muscles in your fingers.

+1

I use to play hard, and my fingers would get tired on those pumping 8th note lines. Turning up and playing lighter helps, but you have to practice to control your tone.

JimmyM · #4 10-26-2008, 12:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RayO5421

Hey all,
I'm finally getting back into music after a too-long dormancy. The band I'm in now plays rock music combined with elements of punk, indie, and a little hardcore stuff too (mostly written by me). I'm happy with the way things are going right now; the music allows me to be creative with my basslines and lyrics.

Anyway, I play bass with my fingers. Thats mostly what I've done for ages but I notice when I'm really laying down a solid rock groove (no basslines, straight up 8th notes) my fingers actually start to get... tired of playing? Almost to the point where the groove I was laying down isn't as tight or accurate as before. Its never happend before but then again I've never really played music like this before.

I'm not really for picks and I think picking would hinder me when I was doing a line thats just all over the place. I play at the bridge pickup for the sound but the strings are obviously much tighter there.

So whats the deal? Should I switch my right hand postion? Should I just suck it up and get stronger? Or are there some tips you guys can tell me for playing heavier music?

Thanks guys!
Ryan

You wouldn't run a marathon if the longest run you've done before was a 100 meter sprint. Same with bass. Just work on building your stamina. It'll come but you can't expect miracles unless you work at it.

Masterquack · #5 10-26-2008, 12:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kimpini

My fingers get tired when my amp is turned down too low and I pluck too hard. That could be your problem. Or, seeing as you haven't played for a while, you just need to 'redevelop' the muscles in your fingers.

there ain't no muscles in your fingers

Fetusyolk · #6 10-26-2008, 12:15 AM

+1 to everything said, but it also won't hurt to stretch before playing. as JimmyM said, it's like running. Stretch first :]

progrockbass · #7 10-26-2008, 12:21 AM

I know how you feel I just got back into playing consistently about 8 months ago after laying off for few years. At first I couldn't believe how my hands were cramping and aching after a 3 hour rehearsal. But now after practicing pretty much daily, rehearsing with the full band once a week, gigging a couple times a month the pain has pretty much disappeared. I only notice it now when I switch basses (say from thin neck Geddy Lee to a P-Bass). Now when I watch TV I just squeeze a tennis ball alternating hands to keep building up the strength...

RayO5421 · #8 10-26-2008, 10:50 AM

Right guys thanks for the replies. I'll start doing stretches and build up the stamina again. Thanks again!

Kimpini · #9 10-26-2008, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Masterquack

there ain't no muscles in your fingers

Really...Dangit, I thought I finally made an educated post!

b4nny · #10 10-26-2008, 06:59 PM

I find that playing at the bridge drains stamina pretty quickly too. Maybe try moving to the middle and lowering your action, you can get some pretty gnarly tones.

Basslice · #11 11-03-2008, 08:58 PM

Careful on the stretching. The latest data indicates that stretching prior to exercise actually weakens the muscles and can lead to injuries. The current wisdom is limbering warm-up excersises, but avoidance of stretching and straining prior to working out.

Check out the story in the New York Times:

Title: Stretching the Truth, By GRETCHEN REYNOLDS
10/31/2008

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/02/sp...th&oref=slogin

Here is an excerpt:

Quote:

"If you’re like most of us, you were taught the importance of warm-up exercises back in grade school, and you’ve likely continued with pretty much the same routine ever since. Science, however, has moved on. Researchers now believe that some of the more entrenched elements of many athletes’ warm-up regimens are not only a waste of time but actually bad for you. The old presumption that holding a stretch for 20 to 30 seconds — known as static stretching — primes muscles for a workout is dead wrong. It actually weakens them. In a recent study conducted at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, athletes generated less force from their leg muscles after static stretching than they did after not stretching at all. Other studies have found that this stretching decreases muscle strength by as much as 30 percent. Also, stretching one leg’s muscles can reduce strength in the other leg as well, probably because the central nervous system rebels against the movements. "

lotsolowend · #12 11-03-2008, 09:36 PM

honestly i play harder and get tired quicker when i play live until i get used to the surrounding, for months after i moved to a new church my hands would KILL me after the first service! it gets better the more you play so +1 on everyone who said to build stamina :P

Deacon_Blues · #13 11-04-2008, 01:38 AM

I love to dig in hard when I play live but that kills my stamina. I should stand back, look relaxed and play with a light touch, but I don't get the right feel when doing that in those fast rock songs, especially not when I sing lead as well.

However, there's nothing bad with practicing economy of motion as a way to build stamina (see the exercise sticky). You don't necessarily need to pluck lighter, just use less movement. But in the end, it's learning by doing. You need to develop the strength gradually as others have said already.

A compressor could be useful to enable you to pluck with a lighter touch without losing too much volume or be too loud on other songs.