Fingers Killing, Skin has peeled off, Gig Tomorrow- Advice?!

[faceman]

Hey Everyone

I've just come out of a 10 hour practise and I've been practising solidly for the past few days for gigs this weekend. However, my fingers are killing (particularly the 2 + 3 plucking fingers on my right hand and the 2 + 3 fingers on my left hand to a lesser extent), so much so that I've have to resort to a pick because it is agony trying to play?

Basically I've got a gig tomorrow - what can I do to repair my fingers and make it playable again? Obviously refraining from bass playing till then is probably a good idea

Seb

[dukeisdog]

Originally Posted by faceman

Hey Everyone

I've just come out of a 10 hour practise and I've been practising solidly for the past few days for gigs this weekend. However, my fingers are killing (particularly the 2 + 3 plucking fingers on my right hand and the 2 + 3 fingers on my left hand to a lesser extent), so much so that I've have to resort to a pick because it is agony trying to play?

Basically I've got a gig tomorrow - what can I do to repair my fingers and make it playable again? Obviously refraining from bass playing till then is probably a good idea

Seb

Maybe try some finger picks?

[BigOldHarry]

Been there, done that... I used to work as a landscaper when I was in a very heavy metal/funk band - my hands were always tore up - cracked fingertips, blood... not good.

I used to bandage them up at night with neosporin before I crashed - that helped them heal, but not all the way; I'd just play through the pain come gig-time.

Lesson here is to take care of your fingers - if you're practicing to the point where they are bleeding, there is something wrong...

[faceman]

My finger tips are fine and nothing is bleeding, they just hurt and the top layer of skin has come off basically.

Will check out Neosporin and find something similar here in the old UK. Any other advice or tips are welcome

[CapnSev]

Superglue them when the gig comes around. It's not going to eliminate the pain, but it will help.

Tylenol will help with pain too.

[hover]

Originally Posted by CapnSev

Superglue them.

yes. build up a couple layers. "Nu Skin" liquid bandage does well in a pinch too. And yes, an analgesic.

[jazzbass_5]

Originally Posted by hover

yes. build up a couple layers. "Nu Skin" liquid bandage does well in a pinch too. And yes, an analgesic.

+1, yup, been there, done that.

[ThunderV]

A little pain will increase your adrenaline, suck it up and go!!!!!!!

[LilRay]

Go by a Hobby Shop and get some Medium Cyanocrilate (CA) Glue. Spread some of that over your fingertips. Let it dry then play. You may want to take it with you to reapply if needed. It will wear off. The stuff is essentially "Super Glue" but the medium is thicker and wont get all over your hands. I've been told by a bunch of older guys that CA is what they used in the field to seal wounds while at war. Make sure to get medium and not instant. Instant is as runny as water. And a pain to get off of the rest of your hands.

Try it. It will work.
God Bless. Ray

[Lurker79]

Originally Posted by hover

yes. build up a couple layers. "Nu Skin" liquid bandage does well in a pinch too. And yes, an analgesic.

Superglue and nu skin!

[hover]

if these tips aren't helping completely, there are silicon rubber fingercots that roll over the ends of your fingers. the tactile response may be a bit different, but it's a thicker "layer of skin"... and, you're already applying superglue here, so it's already a compromise.

[guy n. cognito]

Learn to pace yourself?

Don't practice for 10 hours straight?

[totallyfrozen]

+1 on the pacing your practice. Musical skill is not the same as memorization for a school test. You can't really CRAM for a gig. Sure, cramming may help you remember most of the parts to most of the songs, but you're still going to forget stuff, mess up, and play like crap because you're hands hurt.

What do you mean your fingers are hurting?

Do you mean the JOINTS of your fingers ache?

or do you mean that the tips of your fingers are tender?

What exactly is bothering your hands?

[Metaltronix]

As for finger and joint pain try Arnica Cream. It's a healing and soothing homeopathic remedy for the relief of bruises and sore muscles.

[JimInMO]

Same here. Two practices this week and a 4 hour gig last night and another tonight. Even have a small blood blister on my right index finger. I just put small band-aids across the ends of the first three fingers on my right hand and change every break. I have found the type with pictures of Scooby Doo have the best tone.

[etoncrow]

Originally Posted by Lurker79

Superglue and nu skin!

Plus "Tuffskin"

[Gastrok]

Ice your hands down. It will reduce the inflammation and speed up your recovery.

[robgo]

I'm sure I remember hearing that someone (might have been Stevie Ray Vaughan or someone like that) used to superglue his fingertips to some other skin, e.g. other arm, leg etc, then rip them off once set so that his fingers were protected by the glue and still had a natural layer of skin over the top. I would imagine there was some kind of recreational painkiller involved though.

Can I just make it clear I am not recommending this.

[anon65884001]

For left hand, put something on it
I'm assuming that you play a fretted bass, so it won't affect the tone as much as freless bass
And for right hand, i guess that you can try playing it with a pick
Good luck

[Steve Bennett]

Super glue.