right hand keeps cramping up at gigs

[supersnake52]

i strum the bass quite alot and quite fast, but i cramp up very quickly.

Nerves definately have something to do with it as its more performing that it gets me, but yeah i end up dropping my picks or have them sliding into my hand so i can't use them

anyone got any good posture points for me?

Thanks

[peterbright]

You could try fingers and alternate between pick and fingers.

[BusterDog]

Always warm up beforehand. I just played a gig on saturday with four other bands. We played third, & had about 10 minutes to be set up & sound checking. I barely had time to plug in & tune before the sound man was yelling at me to sound check. By the third song I was cramped up so bad, I could barely hold on to the pick - let alone pluck a string. If I have proper warm up time, I never have a problem.

[supersnake52]

got any good techniques for warming up?

[BusterDog]

For me, Just playing anything lightly works. Look into spider exercises etc. Anything that you can do mindlessly. Just keep it loose.

[JimmyM]

Bass isn't a guitar, and if you try to play it like one, this is what can happen. The way you're playing is the culprit. That's why I use the Carol Kaye method of playing with a pick, which is detailed on her website under "Player's Points" or something like that. www.carolkaye.com . It doesn't look as cool as that strumming thing that young bassists think looks so awesome these days, but you won't have to ice down your hand after every show or have surgery in a year.

[megadan]

When I started playing with a faster band than I was used too, my right hand would cramp up badly, fingers or pick.

The trick was to relax. Once I relaxed the muscles in my hands and fingers, they didn't cramp up anymore.

Also, drinks lots of water.

[kayakbass]

BREATHE!!!!! I used to get cramps a lot and it was breathing. We tend to hold our breath when focusing on something. Try loosening your grip on the pick a little. Stretch before playing. All athletes stretch before doing what they do. So should we!

[mothmonsterman]

Shot of Whiskey and play softer and turn the amp up.
relaxation is a good tip too.

I get a similar problem depending on the humidity.
and also nervousness plays a roll.

I usually either zone out and pretend it's just another practice, or on some occasions just get plain plastered so i don't care.
after reviewing the tapes....option B is not the best way to do things.

[ForestThump]

Breathe, let the amp work for you, be well rehearsed and prepared (know the stuff you're playing).
Relax and keep a stiff upper lip!
After all bass is the place!

[seventhson]

don't murder the strings. let your equipment do the volume work for you.