Left hand little finger pain

[Peck_Time]

Hi everyone, i've been having problems with my left hand little finger (or pinky), and a quick search hasn't turned anything up.

I have problems pressing down the strings after 1/2 an hour of playing, and it's always painful to hit the g on the e string in 1/2 position. My action is medium high with gut g+d supersilver A and spirocore Mittel E.

My little finger collapses, and it feels like it's being stretched.

It's not as painful when I play arco.

I try and be conscious of good left hand technique, keeping my thumb under the ring finger,pressing with my arm, using 'the claw' etc.

I also play saxophone, and my left hand pinky is used to stretching and pressing keys.

Obviously it's impossible to diagnose on the internet, but I was hoping for some general left hand advice.

Thanks

-Daniel Y

[JazzCat_88]

I think your action could be too high at the nut and your bass' s neck could be too thick/wide.
I have the thick/wide neck problem with my bass.

[Peck_Time]

Thanks for the reply jazzcat.

The string height at the nut on my bass is pretty low- I can just get a business card under there, but your post got me thinking about the string height at the end of the fingerboard.

Normally I go for maximum acoustic volume, but that's no good if i'm hurting myself! So I lowered my bridge adjusters.

I think that i'm pulling too hard with my right arm when i'm on the gig, causing my left arm to tense up and rapidly turn to custard.

I had a rehearsal last night and really focussed on staying relaxed and playing at a comfortable volume for my left hand. I think i'll work more on this approach.