my poor hands

[caspah1914]

i have only been playing bass for a few months.right now i can only play for maybe 30 minutes at a time before my hands fall asleep and get so numb that i have to stop playing . is this normal ? will it get better the more i play ? anything i can do ?

[Nils]

Originally Posted by caspah1914

i have only been playing bass for a few months.right now i can only play for maybe 30 minutes at a time before my hands fall asleep and get so numb that i have to stop playing . is this normal ? will it get better the more i play ? anything i can do ?

I they fall asleep and go numb something i definetily wrong. Go see a doctor, and don't play until you do, is my advice.

[Sean S]

First of all, how high/low is your bass? I find that if I play too low (punk rock style) my left hand is bent at too awkward an angle and it starts to hurt/fall asleep. It is best to play with your wrists as straight as possible; that's why all the jazz guys wear their basses up to their necks

As nils said, too, go see a doctor.

sean

[spindizzy]

No offense Bobb and usually I would agree with you on your points but if this is after only a short period of time playing I have to agree with Nils that this is likely something that needs a physicians diagnosis. caspah1914 - It sounds very much like carple tunnel (not sure if I spelled that correctly) and unless you are taking your strap and wrapping it around your wrists to cut off circulation you may have an undiagnosed but treatable condition. +1 to Nils, get input from a doctor first, if there is nothing there than I would look for more playing advice. However the suggestion that Bobb makes is true regardless of the outcome here. It is not as sexy as a low slung guitar but keeping your bass straped higher is the best for your body and for your technique. Not sure if up to your own neck is true but just below chest high is about right IMHO.

[Sean S]

Originally Posted by spindizzy

No offense Bobb and usually I would agree with you on your points but if this is after only a short period of time playing I have to agree with Nils that this is likely something that needs a physicians diagnosis. caspah1914 - It sounds very much like carple tunnel (not sure if I spelled that correctly) and unless you are taking your strap and wrapping it around your wrists to cut off circulation you may have an undiagnosed but treatable condition. +1 to Nils, get input from a doctor first, if there is nothing there than I would look for more playing advice.

haha That's why I agreed that he should go see a doctor. However, If it comes that quickly from just playing and goes away shortly after, it's likely not carpal tunnel.

As well, if it IS a result of his technique, then that has to be addressed as well.

Originally Posted by http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/carpal_tunnel/detail_carpal_tunnel.htm

There is little clinical data to prove whether repetitive and forceful movements of the hand and wrist during work or leisure activities can cause carpal tunnel syndrome. Repeated motions performed in the course of normal work or other daily activities can result in repetitive motion disorders such as bursitis and tendonitis. Writer's cramp - a condition in which a lack of fine motor skill coordination and ache and pressure in the fingers, wrist, or forearm is brought on by repetitive activity - is not a symptom of carpal tunnel syndrome.

But I'm no expert...go see a doctor!

Sean

[spindizzy]

Indeed you are right that you noted that. It was early when I posted so forgive my fast read of your reply. At least you and I are in sync on the importance of where you wear your bass. Bottom line see doctor and don't wear your bass too low!

[BuffaloMO]

Originally Posted by caspah1914

i have only been playing bass for a few months.right now i can only play for maybe 30 minutes at a time before my hands fall asleep and get so numb that i have to stop playing . is this normal ? will it get better the more i play ? anything i can do ?

I can remember mine going numb like that back when I first started. I believe it is where a person uses excess pressure to fret the strings.

[lola99]

Same here. I've been playing for almost a year, and my shoulders and arms hands were in pain the first few weeks, and my left hand occasionally went numb. One day the whole thing went away.

It's probably a newbie thing, but if it isn't--I didn't see a doctor, but imo seeing a doc's always the safest thing to do, just in case.

[steveb98]

I would agree your playing position is probably the main problem. I would bet you have your wrist bent at a drastic angle. If that isn't the case see your doctor.

I get in situations where I play for an hour, hour and a half straight no break on pretty busy line. My right hand fingers will start to go numb. I will move my elbow up to straighten out the angle between my forearm and wrist and that helps. The numbness in my fingers goes away in a minute or so.