fretting hand fatigue

[brainhii]

i have no idea how this happened. i just play my bass one day and all of a sudden my left hand, the one i fret notes with (yes, i'm righthanded) just gave out on me. it's not like it hurts to play, but the strength u need to fret notes just leaves, and i can barely press down hard enough to get a sound out of the note. well my index and middle finger are fine, but i can't use my ring finger and pinky at all. now i'm sad cuz i can barely play like this any idea how it couldve started or what i can do to make it get better?????????????

[brainhii]

and i forgot to mention that i'm not starting out on the bass. i've been playing for almost a year, so it just seems abnormal that my fingers lose lose their strength almost to the point to where they become numb

[ROON]

Hows about practicing some scales to give your fingers a workout?

[Gyucho]

Of probably nerve pressure (most probably the ulnar nerve which controls the ring & little finger among other little muscles of the hand), and you need to pay attention to your positions of your left hand, for xample over-elbow-flexion and over-wrist-flexion, but sometimes it comes from shoulders/neck. dont be affraid but you might considerate going to the doctor (Chiropractor or a doctor that is well experienced with musicians injuries, do not go a general doc. !!).
good luck ! , hope it will work for you.

[AlphaMale]

whats wrong with being left handed ?

[kserg]

Originally Posted by AlphaMale

whats wrong with being left handed ?

Nothing, but I remember Jazzbo telling me that it could be a problem if you are lefty playing on right handed bass (which i am and i do).

OP: Personally i had similar problem when i started and some time into it. However mine was that bottom of my thumb was fatigue/hurting when i held it right (In the middle of the fretboard). This went away. However few months ago i stopped practicing due to my bass being broken, once i fixed it and started my practice/playing I realized that it's back, few months of playing scales, and it went away once again but like you i struggled with the fatigue problem.

I think what Jazzbo suggested to me, and what some people said here is right way to go. Spider exercise and scales every day and before you start to play. Not only it gives you great practice, it also loosens your muscles. Think of it as a warm up before playing sports, running or gym.

Good luck
Cheers

[VroomVroom]

Spend some time in the mirror, or better yet, have a fellow bass player or instructor watch while you play for a few minutes. There are simply too many possibilities here, but I'll start with the easiest....your thumb. Are you keeping it perpendicular to the neck, with your thumbprint close to the center of the neck, and with only enough pressure necessary to support your hand?

Not to discount the other advice, but if you've been playing for a year and this is a new problem, you're likely to make it worse by practicing more without first investigating why it exists. Good luck...