Sorry that I got fat; or how my weight gain affects my bass playing

[primesuspect]

A brief timeline:

I started playing bass at age 12. I played heavily until I was 20. I took a break to start a family and a business. I played sparingly throughout my 20s. Got divorced at age 30. Lots of stress, events, "life happens" throughout the years.

Now I'm getting back into playing.

The problem is: I'm almost 100lbs heavier than I was when I stopped playing regularly. My body is significantly different than it was when I was younger. Most of the weight gain has been, of course, in the belly region. My bass sits at a very different angle, in a very different place.

I find that muscles that were used to playing are now protesting and I have to hold my arms at a new angle, my wrists, everything.

I guess the only thing for it is to just keep plonking away until my body gets used to the new positions (or I could, you know, try to lose weight yet again...)

I think the most frustrating aspect has been losing the ability to effectively play while sitting down. I kinda have to stand up to really be able to play like I used to.

Anybody else struggle with this?

[bassphase]

I've put on a ton of weight too but for some reason I find it easier to play seated than when I was thin. I make the strap do the work where before the bass would sit on my lap.

However playing double bass seated has definitely been more difficult especially in thumb position--I have to angle the bass out more than I want to to get decent access.

Time for a new exercise paradigm--the last one hasn't worked.

[prd004]

I can relate to the muscles protesting part, it's called aging!!!!! Haha

[TOOL460002]

a buddy of mine who was playing bass in a band was purposely gaining weight because i guess he thought itd be better to have a husky bassist. great guy. odd guy.

anyway, how is it with the strap up higher? can you get used to that?? im a good 50-60lbs more than i was in high school, and im not over thirty, but i always found when i went to the gym and exercised my bosy, my hands got stronger, and playing a little faster and easier.

it sounds like you want to lose a few. that seems like the best solution (not being mean... i could definitely lose a few...).

[dj150888]

I'm around 40lbs lighter than I was in highschool. The problems kick in the other way too. I had to change the angle I was used to playing at entirely.

[unclejane]

Originally Posted by primesuspect

A brief timeline:

I started playing bass at age 12. I played heavily until I was 20. I took a break to start a family and a business. I played sparingly throughout my 20s. Got divorced at age 30. Lots of stress, events, "life happens" throughout the years.

Now I'm getting back into playing.

The problem is: I'm almost 100lbs heavier than I was when I stopped playing regularly. My body is significantly different than it was when I was younger. Most of the weight gain has been, of course, in the belly region. My bass sits at a very different angle, in a very different place.

I find that muscles that were used to playing are now protesting and I have to hold my arms at a new angle, my wrists, everything.

I guess the only thing for it is to just keep plonking away until my body gets used to the new positions (or I could, you know, try to lose weight yet again...)

I think the most frustrating aspect has been losing the ability to effectively play while sitting down. I kinda have to stand up to really be able to play like I used to.

Anybody else struggle with this?

The main problem I had when I was bigger was the bass's tendency to rotate upwards as it rested on my belly. This made me have to crank my wrist around more than usual and really created a problem.

Also, being overweight isn't good for your joints anyway; I had a lot of aches and pains in my hands that felt like incipient arthritis, which added to the difficulties of playing even when using correct ergonomic positioning for me.

So I go to herculean efforts nowadays to keep my weight down if for no other reason than the health bennies to my joints. At my age I'll always have a little bit of a paunch, but it has been worth it to take as much of the weight off as I've been able to.

I personally would never try to adapt to non-ergonomic positions or otherwise try to play through pain. I have a fair bit of permanent damage in my left wrist that attests to that, so it's just not worth it in my experience.

Course, the struggle with weight is an entirely different topic, one I'm quite familiar with

LS

[Audiophage]

The increased mass should add to your sustain, right?

[Jim Campbell]

Originally Posted by primesuspect

A brief timeline:

I started playing bass at age 12. I played heavily until I was 20. I took a break to start a family and a business. I played sparingly throughout my 20s. Got divorced at age 30. Lots of stress, events, "life happens" throughout the years.

Now I'm getting back into playing.

The problem is: I'm almost 100lbs heavier than I was when I stopped playing regularly. My body is significantly different than it was when I was younger. Most of the weight gain has been, of course, in the belly region. My bass sits at a very different angle, in a very different place.

I find that muscles that were used to playing are now protesting and I have to hold my arms at a new angle, my wrists, everything.

I guess the only thing for it is to just keep plonking away until my body gets used to the new positions (or I could, you know, try to lose weight yet again...)

I think the most frustrating aspect has been losing the ability to effectively play while sitting down. I kinda have to stand up to really be able to play like I used to.

Anybody else struggle with this?

years ago there was a a lady here on the country bar circuit.....she had two full length leg braces and crutches,and leaned on a stool to play,six nights a week in all kinds of venues that were not at all user friendly to folks with her disabilities.....i think the lesson here is that you can always find a way if the goal is important to you.....

[change-jug]

Hey I`m in the same boat!(not the boat with the lady with the full body cast)
I started playing at 20 at around 180 lbs(which at 6`1 is thin) and was in a band for a bit,had a ton of fun,did a lot of drinking,even more drugs then met my lady and went sober.
Well,having a beautiful lass make you real meals(you know 3 different kinds of food on one plate!) and spend time cuddling on the couch really slowed me down. I put on about 100 pounds. My man boobs threaten to smother the life out of me every time I sleep on my back. And playing bass with my new "band" is kind of uncomfortable. My gut pushes out the bass away from me and the upper horn of the bass works as a push up bra making me looked stacked.
So I`ve been eating way better,walking to work,and cutting out the coffee with milk and sugar. I`m slowly seeing results. Very slowly. I`m going to be 30 next month.
I`d like to be some what healthy in the upcoming years. And not have my bass playing be so awkward.

[DougD]

It's called getting older. Body mass has very little to do with it. Why? Because we can adjust to the added or diminished mass. It may takes some getting used to, nut it can be done. What you can't control is aging. We all age, and we all have our associated problems with it. But it's mainly because of aging, not body mass. Getting old sucks but it's better than the alternative

[Chris K]

Originally Posted by unclejane

The main problem I had when I was bigger was the bass's tendency to rotate upwards as it rested on my belly. This made me have to crank my wrist around more than usual and really created a problem.
(...)
I personally would never try to adapt to non-ergonomic positions or otherwise try to play through pain. I have a fair bit of permanent damage in my left wrist that attests to that, so it's just not worth it in my experience.

Very good advice.

For some more, see:
http://chriskeuken.nl/health/strapping-the-bass.html

There are special tips for obese players there.

[diehard70]

Winter dulldrums, stress, good cooking have all contributed to my weight gain in the past 2-3 yrs. (50 lbs.) I have been trying to commit to an exercise program in recent months but just can't get into it. The motivation to get healthy has just not been there (and I was in great shape for years). I guess I need to find that motivation again before I start wearing my bass as a necklace (and for my health). Good luck- Dann

[Mirios]

I recently read a book that may throw another reason to exercise into the mix. A reason that may help your playing in a way that isn't just related to ergonomics. The book was Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain. http://www.amazon.com/Spark-Revoluti.../dp/0316113506

The basic premise is aside from the known improvements on health from aerobic exercise, there is also strong evidence that it helps build brain cells. My conclusion from that in regards to music was that a smarter player is a better player. Helps with my motivation to exercise at least.

[diehard70]

Thanks, Mirios. Not only am I gaining weight, I'm getting dumber, too. hehehe

[Vlad5]

I agree that aging does have its disadvantages, but it doesn't have to control your abilities to the extent that the 'resigners to getting old and enfeebled' would have you believe.

Granted, I had a super high metabolism when I was in high school, and I am still a thin guy now (pushing 40yrs), and I too have felt the slowdown in my fingers after I took a 10yr break from regular bass playing. Now, after exercising my hands (and the rest of me) regularly but less aggressively than when I was a kid, I can play (at least to my ears) as well and as fast as I did 20 years ago (better, since I've matured a little, sort of). Just had to loosen the joints and dust off the cobwebs, as it were.

Everyone's body is different, of course, and some adjust faster than others, but at least don't be discouraged by 'aging'. Eat a regular balanced diet, exercise regularly and practice regularly. Its really all you can do, buts its a lot. And good self-awareness and a positive mental attitude help tremendously too!

Growing 'older' is an inevitability, growing 'old' is a perspective.

[shadow_FIX]

I think it's just the fact that you've taken time off. You gotta give your hands/fingers time to readjust to the repetitive beatings.

[trainwrecker]

I did, then I lost 60lbs and am in the best shape I've ever been, and can play better then I used to as well. You can do it; it just takes the time and dedication, like when you started learning how to play bass. Get a gym membership and use the time spent as a way to hone your critical listening skills, and it's a good reason to get a new MP3 player for the GYM

[dtsamples]

I'm in a similar situation. Was 6'1'', 185lbs when I got married. Now I'm 27 and 225. Was darn near 240 6 months ago. I've made a deal with myself. If I get back down below 200, I'm going to buy a new bass (haven't decided what yet, maybe a Sadowsky or a Nordy; at some point I'll tell my wife). I'm not going to fool myself in to thinking I'll hit 185 again, but I figure the better shape I'm in the better I'll feel, and the better I feel, the better I'll play. I once heard that "no food tastes as good as being thin feels."

[Baron Von Vik]

Originally Posted by Audiophage

The increased mass should add to your sustain, right?

Thanks for the laugh of the day.

I lost a bunch of weight since January, just by eating better and exercising. It takes a lot of willpower to stick with it, and since I'm weak I "fell off the wagon" a few times, but I feel really good about how I'm progressing.

If you want to know (or care), I've been eating a high-protein, nearly non-fat, non-dairy diet with a lot of vegetable (non-grain) carbohydrates. Not Atkins, but what is called a "Slow carb" diet. I drink a lot of water, take vitamins and calcium supplements, and drink some red wine at night. I do some running, but more importantly I lift weights now, which boosts your metabolism incredibly.

Now, I get really tired of fitness freaks telling me to "push myself harder!" and stuff like that, because I'm me and they're them, and I exercise at my own pace. I'm getting older, and I don't want to get hurt. My motto is "No pain, no pain," and it works for me.

Long story short, I weighed 237 pounds on January 10, and today (Feb 28) I weigh 210. 27 pounds! So it's possible.

My ultimate goal is to maintain 190 pounds, which is comfortable for my 6'0" bone structure. By the way, the BMI or body mass index is a crock of horse poop. Don't even look at it.

I encourage you to get going if thats what you want, but take it easy! And if you're comfortable with your shape now, all respect. The main thing is to be happy with yourself. But remember, it's do-able!

(sorry to take up so much space here. I'm out!)

edit: BTW, I'll be 40 in April, which according to EEO will make be a protected class. So no ageism! Not that it matters, there's a 65 year-old guy in my neighborhood who blows past me on my morning run sometimes. I hate him.

[senp5f]

The most important thing is to find a way to enjoy playing again. It sounds like you've played enough in your life to know good pain from bad pain when it comes to playing. After that, I'd say just focus on getting everything else in life in order and flowin smooth -- work, music, love, etc -- and then if you want to take some time to focus on your physical health, it comes easier.

I've struggled mightily with my weight since I was a kid. The only thing that has seemed to work for me is taking care of my mental and spiritual health first, then letting the physical work itself out by finding some exercise that's fun and some food that's decently healthy but still tasty. I have way way to little discipline to do it in reverse!

So it sounds like you're on the right track by getting back to the bass. You never know -- playing again might be so energizing and fulfilling for you that you might shed a few pounds just from the enjoyment of it and less stress. Body chemistry is crazy like that--the good and enjoyable stress of working up material can change your whole system!