Thumb Pains

DaemonBass · #1 01-16-2005, 05:50 PM

Hey all,

Quick question for all you pick players out there...

When I'm playing with my band at rehearsal, and after about 1 or 2 songs my thumb starts aching and I have trouble controlling the pick (it slides around, hard to keep rhythmn going, loss of heavy attack). When the song is over my thumb is all tensed up. I move it around slowly but that doesn't seem to help for the next song, it occurs again shortly.

Any advice on how I can eliminate this problem? I mean my left hand is not tired at all after practice only my right thumb so it must be an issue of technique. Perhaps I am holding the pick too hard, using my thumb muscle to pick instead of my wrist like I should be, or a combination of both. I can't really say...

Brotha Chris · #2 01-16-2005, 10:15 PM

i have the same issue goin on at this point. i have no advice on this issue... just thought i'd post to feel your pain and keep this thred going so maybe we can both get an answer...

Lorenzini · #3 01-16-2005, 10:47 PM

Fingerstyle

**embellisher** · #4 01-16-2005, 11:35 PM

How long have you been playing with a pick? This is a problem that I had when I first started using a pick, but it went away after a couple of months.

DaemonBass · #5 01-19-2005, 08:10 PM

Been doing it in the band for bout 3 months. . . It must be a N00b thing 'cus it is starting to go away during the last week.

**embellisher** · #6 01-19-2005, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaemonBass

Been doing it in the band for bout 3 months. . . It must be a N00b thing 'cus it is starting to go away during the last week.

That was my experience. Once my hand and wrist got used to using a pick, the pain went away.

dlloyd · #7 01-20-2005, 02:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaemonBass

Hey all,

Quick question for all you pick players out there...

When I'm playing with my band at rehearsal, and after about 1 or 2 songs my thumb starts aching and I have trouble controlling the pick (it slides around, hard to keep rhythmn going, loss of heavy attack). When the song is over my thumb is all tensed up. I move it around slowly but that doesn't seem to help for the next song, it occurs again shortly.

Any advice on how I can eliminate this problem? I mean my left hand is not tired at all after practice only my right thumb so it must be an issue of technique. Perhaps I am holding the pick too hard, using my thumb muscle to pick instead of my wrist like I should be, or a combination of both. I can't really say...

Gripping too tightly is the most obvious one.

Mo'Phat · #8 01-20-2005, 11:54 AM

Yep, your hand muscles aren't used to pinching something for an extended duration. That, and the combination of a slippery pick are adding to your problem. To relax your grip on your pick, you need to make your pick less slippery. Either buy picks with texture or make the texture yourself. With all my picks I use a hole puncher. Punch a hole in the pick and your fingertips will lock into that hole and your pick will be less likely to slip around. Other people score some scratches into the pick with a pocket knife or their car keys. Anything to break up the smooth surface will help.

Daniel Baskin · #9 01-20-2005, 05:17 PM

Lose the pick. Conform. Bwahahahah!

**embellisher** · #10 01-20-2005, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daniel Baskin

Lose the pick. Conform. Bwahahahah!

There are some songs for which a plectrum is a necessity.

travatron4000 · #11 01-20-2005, 08:13 PM

Part of it probabally is that you're muscles aren't developed yet. Also make sure that your fingers and thumb are curved and not locked. Make sure that your thumb isn't locked all the way back and that it is slightly bent. You'll notice it will make your muscles work a little harder but they'll get stronger and it will give you more control. Also, Stretch before you play. Search here and the International Society of Bassists site for good stretches.

~travis

bluemonk · #12 01-20-2005, 09:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mo'Phat

Yep, your hand muscles aren't used to pinching something for an extended duration. That, and the combination of a slippery pick are adding to your problem. To relax your grip on your pick, you need to make your pick less slippery. Either buy picks with texture or make the texture yourself. With all my picks I use a hole puncher. Punch a hole in the pick and your fingertips will lock into that hole and your pick will be less likely to slip around. Other people score some scratches into the pick with a pocket knife or their car keys. Anything to break up the smooth surface will help.

Yeah, muscle development and making the pick do part of the work. There are some picks that have rubbery dots on the larger end where you hold on. This helps (don't remember the name). Also, there are gu%tar picks that loop around your thumb, so the do part of the work of holding on.