Starting out and PAIN????

[Sumosized]

I searched the forum and can't seem to find an answer that will help me understand if what I'm experiencing is normal or a problem.

I started playing yesterday and my left thumb is really sore. I try to keep it behind my middle finger, but my small hands make it difficult for me to reach with my pinkie; thus, I am constantly moving it around. It points up, towards the headstock, and back. I try not to put a lot of pressure on it.

Does this sound like growing pains or am I doing something WAY WRONG???

[Glider]

Do you think its muscle pain or possibly knuckle/joint pain? I knoe learning bass makes the hand use muscles in ways it was not used to before.

If your sure its not muscle strain then mabey a trip to the DR is in order? does it hurt when you move it normally without the bass in your hand? Can you grab things without it hurting?

[Sumosized]

It just aches a little when the bass is not in my hand. I can pick things up with no pain or problems. It's mostly in the back of my thumb--pretty sure it's muscle.

[Minger]

I don't think it should be pointed back, but thats just me. That just sounds plain uncomfortable...

[ric1312]

When starting out you will get some pain. Muscles are getting stronger. Best thing to do is break yourself of the habit of pressing too hard with your fretting fingers, or your base thumb. Some of the pain is from muscles/tendons doing new things, some of it is likely from pressing down a bit too hard.

Try to use only the amount of pressure you need. Slow and smooth and easy at first. If you want to play fast remember to go fast you need to be relaxed.

Once you get the base under your fingers more you'll start to learn just how much pressure you need.

P.S. don't forget to warm up. 1234, 4321 up and down the kneck slow. Soaking your hands in warm water first and stretching them back and forth helps too.