Too much practicing - Hand hurts :(

[ubado]

Originally Posted by NickInMesa

My action is set super low on one and rather low on the other. I think it has to do with my position when playing sitting at my desk (with the computer into my Pandora) and I had my hand at an odd angle.

I also had a few 3-hour sitting sessions and that was too much. Rest is needed.

Do you usually play for that long at one time?

IF you usually noodle around (ie. a half an hour at a time, or so) ... playing for 2 or even 3 hours will strain you hand. This will feel just like Carpal Tunnel or Ulnar Tunnel ... since there is swelling in you wrist, and will take a few days to get over it, as you get older ... it takes longer and longer to bounce back.

(I have the same thing going on in my right hand and forearm, due to using my chainsaw for a few hours straight ... which I rarely ever do. It's been a couple of days ... it's still a bit achy, but getting better each day.)


The best thing to do is rest it. When it's feeling better, work your practice time up gradually; until you are able to play for at least a couple of hours without any pain.


You should also be conscious of your hand position when seated ... it shouldn't be any different than when you are playing while standing. Personally, I play seated the same as I do while standing ... basically the same bass position on my body (just a bit lower than my breast plate, give or take a couple of inches), and the same wrist position with my pucking hand. And playing while seated at my computer is quite common for me (I'm doing it right now. )

Feel Better!

[THand]

Originally Posted by NickInMesa

I will do what I used to do when I played Rugby (prop position, pretty hardcore): strap up to avoid soft tissue injury (soft tissue = tendons, muscles and sometimes cartilage in some context).

Sport tape around the base of the wrist should help.

As for the pinkie, maybe a sport massage

When I play standing, no issue. No issue with the right hand, by the way, I can lay it fat, fast and heavy.

Nick, to me it sounds like you are approaching the bass like you would a guitar with the 1 finger per fret appraoch. Rather tha ramble on, watch this:

http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=...17/eXkxu_7Tn48

then go here since you are resting and watch the Carol Kaye clips under the "artist" section. Somewhere in there she demonstrates a stronger way of useing your pinky by pivoting with your thumb, and using your 3rd finger to support it.

http://www.bassplayer.tv/

Since you also posted about those gripper things, I think you are way over-doing it with your hands, unless you are trying to meet some professional deadline...even then it seems too much, IMO.

Like someone already posted, exercise your brain instead, also it's a good time to develop your ears. Pick different bands you like and listen to the drummers, and try to imagine what you would have created, what's going on with the beat...where would you groove compared to the recording? Could you improve it, or do you need to study that bassist approach?

You've gotten lots of good advice.

Good luck and hope you feel better soon!