Pain? In my fretting arm?

[Disappear]

I'm pushing my boundaries a bit and trying to learn a Dream Theater song. Problem lies in the root second minor third riff they do (I notice a lot of that in their music) but it's basically that riff played with 16ths. Around 30 sec (ever notice how that 'x' key is very close to the 'c'?) in, my fretting arm just seizes up. Now is this because I haven't warmed up enough or that I just don't have the endurance for it or both?

Furthermore, solutions to the problem?

[Trapezius]

Wich song? I know they have some painful riffs here and there.

But playing shouldn't hurt, that's never good. Find out what kind of pain it is. There's a big difference between fatigue and real pain. Play lighter with your fretting hand, see if it helps? Don't stretch too much, try to "float" instead.

[Disappear]

Originally Posted by Trapezius

Wich song? I know they have some painful riffs here and there.

In the presence of enemies pt. 1, in the prelude where it's all in unison. Tried letting it just float and stuff but still would be kinda painful.

[twangin6]

Tension can cause serious problems.

[Disappear]

Originally Posted by twangin6

Tension can cause serious problems.

I play my bass with my hands.

[fearceol]

Originally Posted by Disappear

I play my bass with my hands.

How innovative of you !! Tension in any part of the upper body (shoulders, neck etc) including the hands can effect your playing.

[CamiloDíaz]

some q's

where do you wear your bass? at which height?
what action do you use?
what tension/stiffness on your current set of strings?
how loud is your amp? (it matters, cause if it's not loud enough, you'll find yourelf unconsciously digging harder, both picking and fretting hand)
active or passive bass?

all those are key factors

[Disappear]

Originally Posted by fearceol

How innovative of you !! Tension in any part of the upper body (shoulders, neck etc) including the hands can effect your playing.

Nah, usually pretty chill up thurr.

Originally Posted by CamiloDíaz

some q's

where do you wear your bass? at which height?
what action do you use?
what tension/stiffness on your current set of strings?
how loud is your amp? (it matters, cause if it's not loud enough, you'll find yourelf unconsciously digging harder, both picking and fretting hand)
active or passive bass?

all those are key factors

Play on the knee (granted my plucking hand is bent but I know that's bad), not too high not too low.
Action is... hmm, it does seem a bit higher than what I like it at.
Strings are looser, amp is at a comfortable volume on an active bass.

Seems the course of action is play standing, lower the action, perhaps new strings, not sure if I like the hi-beams on this