Numbness in pick hand when playing?

doctorpunch · #1 03-31-2010, 11:41 AM

Oh so here's my bass:

Galveston 4 string tuned to C# with Ernie Ball 105's

I used Clayton 1.0mm Triangle pics

I'm in a metal band so there's a lot of fast/hard picking going on. I get numbness and even swelling between my thumb and index finger.

Any tips?

Fergie Fulton · #2 03-31-2010, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doctorpunch

Oh so here's my bass:

Galveston 4 string tuned to C# with Ernie Ball 105's

I used Clayton 1.0mm Triangle pics

I'm in a metal band so there's a lot of fast/hard picking going on. I get numbness and even swelling between my thumb and index finger.

Any tips?

The give away in this statement is the swelling..... grip pressure is the unseen enemy for any pick player. Warm up, warm down, drink lots of water and check out the link,

Why I keep hammering the Carol Kaye pick method

bassalone619 · #3 04-03-2010, 12:37 AM

try a lighter touch. you can still play fast without digging in so much. u might actually prefer the sound u get from easing up a bit

DrSmaggs · #4 04-03-2010, 12:39 AM

Fergie and Bassalone are absolutely correct! Warm up... stretch... stay hydrated... keep your hands warm if it's cold out.

I do mild hand stretches and warm ups before any extended rehearsal, jam or show. Doing so will pay off infinitely!

Let us know how you do.

Digging in is natural with that style... try to loosen up a little. Focus more on accuracy. It took me many months to do it, too!

otis_thick · #5 04-03-2010, 01:06 AM

If cramping is involved as well, you may need to increase your Potassium...banannas, strawberries, etc. ...my hand started swelling and cramping a few months ago and my doctor found it was too low and gave me a 'script' for some pills But remembers too much will have the same negative effect and cause cramping.

XtheDeadPawn · #6 04-03-2010, 01:33 AM

Are you playing upstroles with your forearm and downstrokes with your shoulder?

If not your doing it wrong WAY wrong.

I'm a pick player myself in a punk/metal hybrid band.
So I get how you feel after practice my arms feel like exploding.

Fetusyolk · #7 04-03-2010, 01:37 AM

stop holding your pick so hard, it isn't going to run away. you may also want to check your technique, if you're contacting too much string you're adding more stress to your hand..

Greevus · #8 04-09-2010, 08:56 AM

Have had this problem for years also. I've played pretty hard, heavy and fast styles also.
Currently I've switched to Herco Extra Heavy thumbpicks and it's helped a lot. They are not so easy to play very fast with, but just being able to open my thumb and forefinger up between breaks and songs relieves a lot of stress. I also just began using my left hand for the computer mouse. This seems to be relieving some of the swelling and tension too. It is very difficult to not grip the pick hard when playing intense stuff. I agree with stretching and warming up slowly also. Def helps. Stretching afterwards too. I also just got some wrist splints with gel packs (ActiveWrap brand) and these help after a strenuous workout with swelling. You can also warm them, but I only use them for icing. Wish you luck brother. Keep us posted on anything you come across.
Bass is hard on the hands for sure.

P. Bass · #9 04-10-2010, 02:22 AM

I'm not a pick player but someone showed me a good way to avoid tension in your picking hand. Try holding the pick at the knuckle of your thumb & gently folding ALL fingers. Use the TIP of your pinky for a rest if needed.

***Here's a REALLY effective way to warm up. (when you get older - remember it!)
Place your palms up @ shoulder width. Curve your fingers & rotate the tip of your thumbs in a circular motion around the tips of your fingers, both hands starting @ the 1st finger & moving to little finger. Do this maybe 10 times 1 way - then change direction. Keep it up for a couple minutes. Don't rush it. What this does is loosen the tendons across the back of you hands. If it doesn't work I'll refund your money...(where's the "smiles" when I need 'em)

DrSmaggs · #10 04-10-2010, 02:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by P. Bass

I'm not a pick player but someone showed me a good way to avoid tension in your picking hand. Try holding the pick at the knuckle of your thumb & gently folding ALL fingers. Use the tip of your pinky for a rest if needed.

That IS a brilliant technique!

I sometimes anchor my picking hand pinky on the side of my bridge if I'm not doing a lot of string skipping.

This position allowed a nice balance and I wouldn't dig too hard or squeeze too hard on my pick, so I'd never get sore or feel wrist pain during or after a gig.

This is me sometime in 2005-2006 back in Erie, PA doing just that.

TomA1234 · #11 04-10-2010, 03:26 AM

Do you have your bass very low down? I find it very hard to play with a pick if my bass is down by my knees

. If so try raising your bass a small amount (maybe about 4 inches) and it should make it easier for you.

Another suggestion is to use smaller picks. This will stop you digging in as hard as you would only use the tip of the pick when playing. I use Jim Dunlop stubby 3mm pick and I find them very good for fast alternate picking.

FretGrinder · #12 04-10-2010, 10:34 AM

sometimes when you get sore its the "gym" kind of sore, and it's good. Sometimes its the RSI kind and that's bad. If that happens, stop immediately and find a way to stop it.

You're building up a little chestnut size ball of muscle where your thumb joins your hand. When this is in fine form, you can play hard for hours and never lose your mojo. If anything else hurts, especially in a "bones and tendons, not muscles" way, stop now and seriously evaluate what's causing it. If you're just growing your mojo muscle - happy growing !!

Ric5 · #13 04-10-2010, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doctorpunch

Oh so here's my bass:

Galveston 4 string tuned to C# with Ernie Ball 105's

I used Clayton 1.0mm Triangle pics

I'm in a metal band so there's a lot of fast/hard picking going on. I get numbness and even swelling between my thumb and index finger.

Any tips?

loosen up your grip. maybe try fingerstyle playing.

Ric5 · #14 04-10-2010, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TomA1234

Do you have your bass very low down? I find it very hard to play with a pick if my bass is down by my knees

. If so try raising your bass a small amount (maybe about 4 inches) and it should make it easier for you.

+1

DrSmaggs · #15 04-10-2010, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FretGrinder

sometimes when you get sore its the "gym" kind of sore, and it's good. Sometimes its the RSI kind and that's bad. If that happens, stop immediately and find a way to stop it.

You're building up a little chestnut size ball of muscle where your thumb joins your hand. When this is in fine form, you can play hard for hours and never lose your mojo. If anything else hurts, especially in a "bones and tendons, not muscles" way, stop now and seriously evaluate what's causing it. If you're just growing your mojo muscle - happy growing !!

Excellent point! You should feel that workout "burn", but not just plain old pain!

pasta4lnch · #16 04-10-2010, 10:57 AM

I've had problems on both hands w/ numbness. had a few tests done and I dont think its my wrists. . . I think I stumbled onto the issue (at least for me) I'm a big guy and I think I just have circulatory issues. when I play guitar and my left hand is closer tucked to my body. I can barely get through a whole tune sometimes w/o my hand going numb. but w/ bass it's less of an issue because my arm is further out, improving circulation.

this isn't backed by medical proof, just my observation . . .