Left Shoulder Pain

[fbrown627]

I'm a fairly new bassist and play a fairly lightweight short scale bass (Squier Bronco). I'm finding that after just a few minutes of playing, my left shoulder starts to hurt. So, I go out and get a Neotech Mega Bass Strap but it doesn't seem to help. (The bass actually rides higher on this than my other neoprene strap.)

Suggestions on what to look for to help alleviate this pain?

[Fergie Fulton]

Hi there, you have a common problem and usually a bit of warming up and stretching before and after will relieve it till the body adjusts to this new task. Look in the links for more info.

http://backandneck.about.com/od/musc...ouldpain_3.htm

http://www.ehow.co.uk/video_4400198_...lder.html?cr=1

http://exercise.about.com/library/blseatedstretch.htm

http://www.bellevuemassagetherapy.co...stretches.html

These are just a few of the links for information out there but start with these and introduce them before and after you play. A couple of minutes to 5 minutes is all you need, and remember not to over do these exercises and add to the problem

If it persists see a medical profesional.

[rabassaf]

+1
for me it is every morning. there will be always some tention in the sholders since we do it a lot, but we reduce it as much as possible with some exercises.

[cliffbass]

When i am playing in stand position after a certain period the spot behind my right shoulder starts to burnnnnnn

[iriegnome]

I have been suffering from this for the last several years. It is all about relaxing when you play.

[SixString]

I am having this problem also. I was wondering if there would be any weightlifting exercises to strengthen the shoulders in addition to the stretching?

[fearceol]

Originally Posted by SixString

I am having this problem also. I was wondering if there would be any weightlifting exercises to strengthen the shoulders in addition to the stretching?

I'd say this would be unnecessary, just to play the bass. Check out some Yoga shoulder exercises on You Tube.

[iriegnome]

Keeping fit helps. I know in my case I has lost quite a few pounds and all my pain went away. As I have gained it back over the last couple of years, my shoulder has started to hurt again.

[cnltb]

Always warm up.
Mind your posture.
Keep fit(note to self)
Keep clear of badly designed basses( neck dive, weight, balance)

[Lichtaffen]

My own experience: I have a lightweight P bass that's a little too light. I never had any problems with my 10+ lbs Musicman (which is perfectly balanced), but when I switched to the lightweight P, I ended up getting some serious rotator cuff problems in my left shoulder. Only after I stopped playing with a strap did this pain decrease. I think what was happening was this: because the bass had serious neck dive problems, I was keeping my right forearm on the top of the body to help balance it. What I think I was doing was pushing the bass down and putting extra stress on my left shoulder. Like I said, I played the Musicman for over a year and never had a problem until I switched to the lighter bass. After I stopped using this bass with a strap, the shoulder got better. I was even using a neoprene strap and no luck. A properly balanced bass is key. The exercises and stretches won't hurt either.

[Chris K]

Originally Posted by Lichtaffen

A properly balanced bass is key. .

Absolutely.
Never buy a bass that is ill balanced.
If you lift your hands from the bass it should stay in
position.
There are some well-known brands that keep selling neck divers, putting the health of bass players at risk. It's a shame.

[sister_bass]

Originally Posted by SixString

I am having this problem also. I was wondering if there would be any weightlifting exercises to strengthen the shoulders in addition to the stretching?

I'm still fairly new to seriously playing the bass (just under 2 years) and brand new to this forum, but I totally co-sign the keeping physically fit theory.

I found that when I started lifting weights, (shoulder press, lateral shoulder raises to name a few) it totally alleviated all of my shoulder pain.

HTH!

[fearceol]

Originally Posted by sister_bass

I found that when I started lifting weights, (shoulder press, lateral shoulder raises to name a few) it totally alleviated all of my shoulder pain.
HTH!

Whatever works for you... Personally, I've never done any such training, and have never suffered shoulder pain.

[iriegnome]

I started getting shoulder pain about 3 years ago. It sucks. I put it down to weight gain and amount of playing. I am playing more shows than I ever have before, but I am older and way heavier than I was..