Hand Cramping? or worse?

HometownLetdown · #1 10-29-2011, 09:18 AM

Hey guys have a question about an issue I ran into last night. So a little background I used to gig heavily in a local band but then stopped playing and gigging for almost a year. Well im in a new band again and we had our first show last night.

After the first 5 songs I could barely hold on to the pick, i couldnt feel the pick between my fingers and it was just freely moving within my fingers no matter how hard I tried to press down I couldnt hold it anymore.

Has anyone had this happen? is this something that my hand just needs to get used to again or something worse?

Thanks for any responses.

skychief · #2 10-29-2011, 11:54 AM

I had a similar thing happen, but it was my right hand that cramped up. It was so bad, almost dropped my UB. A minute later, the cramp goes away, so I resume playing, and a few notes later the cramp is back!

All of this at a gig. I was told it stemmed from a potassium deficiency in my diet, but somewhat skeptical about that.

fearceol · #3 10-29-2011, 01:58 PM

Did you have this cramping when you previously played ? If not, then it probably is not a technique problem. Gripping the pleck too hard can cause cramp.

The person who told "skychief" about potassium deficiency in the diet contributing to cramp was right. Keeping well hydrated is also recommended. It would help to do some gentle stretches and warm ups before a session. Take it gently for a while and give your hands time to re adapt to playing again.

HometownLetdown · #4 10-29-2011, 02:11 PM

I did not have this cramping when I was previously playing. However, im playing pop-punk now with a lot more triplets so I'm finding I have to grip the pick harder, would this cause the issue.

So more potassium and well hydrated, with strechs, I will try this, thanks for the info so far.

Also I grip the pick a little differently then I see most (local) musicians grip their picks, I hold the pick in between my finger tips, so i press the pads of my index and thumb together on the pick, could this be causing an issue as the pressure is going directly into both of my fingers?

fearceol · #5 10-29-2011, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HometownLetdown

I did not have this cramping when I was previously playing. However, im playing pop-punk now with a lot more triplets so I'm finding I have to grip the pick harder, would this cause the issue.

So more potassium and well hydrated, with strechs, I will try this, thanks for the info so far.

Also I grip the pick a little differently then I see most (local) musicians grip their picks, I hold the pick in between my finger tips, so i press the pads of my index and thumb together on the pick, could this be causing an issue as the pressure is going directly into both of my fingers?

Check out tips # 26 and #27 in this link. Carol Kaye is a master pick player.
The Official Carol Kaye Web Site

HometownLetdown · #6 10-29-2011, 02:28 PM

Thats some good info, according to this I have been holding the pick wrong for 6 years...crap (sorry mods). We time to learn how to play with this style. Thanks for the info.

NOVAX · #7 10-29-2011, 02:40 PM

I shattered both of my wrists crashing a street bike. I deal with cramps, numbness, pins and needles, and total lock up. I've found that avoiding brown caffienated soda is key to my staying cramp free. No coke no cramps.

HometownLetdown · #8 10-29-2011, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NOVAX

I shattered both of my wrists crashing a street bike. I deal with cramps, numbness, pins and needles, and total lock up. I've found that avoiding brown caffienated soda is key to my staying cramp free. No coke no cramps.

Maybe Ill try to stay away from soda in general, usually stick to the mountain dew.

hernameisrio · #9 10-29-2011, 10:26 PM

I have bad shoulders due to years of lifting heavy things in very bad ways and not really accepting the fact that I probably shouldn't lift 75% of my body weight anymore. My left shoulder is particularly messed up (I think it's my rotator cuff, I don't even know anymore...I've just been dealing with it for six years or so...ugh) and sometimes my left hand will get fatigued, especially between my thumb and index finger...then sometimes the tip of my index finger will feel sort of prickly...it's really weird. Playing bass has actually helped my left shoulder as far as building up strength, flexibility, and range of motion, but it still sucks when this happens. I try to rest when I can, take my left hand off the neck, flex my thumb around a bit, and sometimes I use either arnica gel or tiger balm.

I don't play with a pick that often, and when I do, I get a pain in the middle of my right palm sometimes, usually from having too tight of a grip on the pick and not keeping my wrist loose. Also, if you come in from the cold, maybe you literally have to warm up a bit...I was out in the rain yesterday, came inside to practice, and felt really stiff and clumsy for about five minutes before my hands got warmer again. And finally, someone else mentioned magnesium to me, in addition to potassium, electrolytes, and B vitamins. It's kinda like when you're playing sports or running...the same preparation!

Vakmere · #10 11-04-2011, 01:01 PM

Its like saying you have not eaten in a week then after a big Thanksgiving meal you felt sick. Lay off of anything for a year and you'll need to get back in shape. That takes months in some cases.

Nordic Groover · #11 11-04-2011, 06:35 PM

Hiya,

Quite unlikely to be due to an electrolyte deficiency or imbalance. Probably much more to do with fatiguing a deconditioned bunch of muscles that haven't had to do what you're asking them to do in a while... :-)

bssist · #12 11-04-2011, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nordic Groover

Hiya,

Quite unlikely to be due to an electrolyte deficiency or imbalance. Probably much more to do with fatiguing a deconditioned bunch of muscles that haven't had to do what you're asking them to do in a while... :-)

Exactly! The nutrition is important but not likely your issue. Stretching and warm-up are always important, even if you've been playing regularly. You need to build back to "full speed" gradually. I once took a long break and about 6 tunes in to my first gig back my left hand locked up completely. Luckily it was a simple blues gig and I was able to reach across with my right hand and hit the roots until I got my left hand working again.

When stretching and warming up its not just the hands and forearms we need to work on. Many of our issues originate in the spine. Proper balance and relaxation throughout the body are imperative to preventing repetitive stress injuries.

Diplowmatt · #13 11-04-2011, 07:53 PM

Man, caffine sucks the water RIGHT out of you. Strips your muscles of it.

HometownLetdown · #14 11-05-2011, 10:01 AM

Alright, well all of this is making me feel much better about it. Ill just have to get used to it again. Thanks for all the tips with the water, no caffine, etc. I appreciate all the input.