Looking back, what would you call it?

ThunderousFunk · #1 07-09-2010, 06:25 PM

I used to have something happen to me several yrs ago, that maybe you all could lend some advice on. I used to own/play a Warwick Corvette Std 5'er in a heavy rock band. We had one song that had a repetitious line under the guitar a la Tool. I would play it for about 3-5 minutes, so the guitarist could do all those AdamJones-ish guitar noises/soloing. Also, it was written to play on the low B,E, and A string between the 3rd to 5th frets. After the song was finished being played, my left hand(right handed player) would be swollen, but mostly swollen in the soft area between the thumb and index finger. Any thoughts? No practicing enough? Stretching/warming up? Or just a straight-up physical deformaty? Thanks.

NKUSigEp · #2 07-09-2010, 06:38 PM

Probably just from rubbing on the back of the neck. Doesn't sound too uncommon. I get it every now and then if the humidity is up. Baby powder always works.

JimmyM · #3 07-09-2010, 07:41 PM

i'd call it uncomfortable (nice way of saying "poor") hand positioning. it should never be painful to play bass. ever.

omnimutant · #4 07-09-2010, 09:24 PM

Sounds like too much friction between your neck and your hand maybe? I like the baby powder idea.

NKUSigEp · #5 07-09-2010, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

i'd call it uncomfortable (nice way of saying "poor") hand positioning. it should never be painful to play bass. ever.

This is true. But unavoidable when playing some notes...the upper ones especially.

ThunderousFunk · #6 07-09-2010, 09:28 PM

I agree with you, JimmyM. It was more of a muscle soreness. But I must say, I wasn't playing the bass properly(slung as low as possible) either. Damn rap-rockers!

HaVIC5 · #7 07-09-2010, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NKUSigEp

This is true. But unavoidable when playing some notes...the upper ones especially.

Definitely not true. Playing an instrument should never be painful, and if it is, your technique is not up to snuff.

This sounds like a classic case of "gripping the neck too hard." Even with high gauge strings and high action, it takes a small amount of force in your left hand to press down the strings (far less than upright players typically have to contend with). Lighten up.

ThunderousFunk · #8 07-10-2010, 05:10 AM

The more I think back to those performances(only happened at our shows, never practice), I think you hit the nail on the head, HaVIC5.

NKUSigEp · #9 07-11-2010, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HaVIC5

Definitely not true. Playing an instrument should never be painful, and if it is, your technique is not up to snuff.

This sounds like a classic case of "gripping the neck too hard." Even with high gauge strings and high action, it takes a small amount of force in your left hand to press down the strings (far less than upright players typically have to contend with). Lighten up.

Maybe painful wasn't the right word...uncomfortable? Not everyone's hands are made the same and not everyone's technique is the same. Trying to reach the 22nd, 23rd, and 24th frets requires a little more effort than the rest. Especially when I've got my bass hanging low trying to look cool, which we all know is WAY more important!