Thumb pain in left hand playing in half and first position

Libersolis · #1 09-09-2004, 02:49 PM

Hi guys. I am new to the Double Bass and I am finding that it is giving me problems physically. Most of my hand is ok but my thumb starts killing me after a short period of time. Is this just something I am going to have to deal with and overcome or are there ways in which I can minimalize the tension?

godoze · #2 09-09-2004, 02:50 PM

how are you holding the neck. is your arm perpendicular to the neck ?

Libersolis · #3 09-09-2004, 02:58 PM

Umm im not exactly sure... Should my arm and the neck form a right angle? My thumb is burning right now and I really need to practice.

neilG · #4 09-10-2004, 12:16 AM

Although some may disagree, make sure your left thumb is not hyperextended. Translation: your thumb should be curved with all the joints flexed outward so your hand forms a "C" shape as you press the strings down. Hyperextending will slow you down, won't be as strong, and may be what ails you. Don't look at cellists or violinists, a baby can press those strings down.

Having said all that, where is the pain? For beginners the big muscle at the base of the thumb is weak and sometimes hurts while it's getting stronger. If it's joint pain, see above.

Neil

anonymous0726 · #5 09-10-2004, 08:05 AM

I don't buy the thumb advice at all. If you have hitchhiker's thumbs you have other things to deal with, but 'curving' your thumb I've had to shake out of more than one student. It is simply a way to adjust to clamping down with the left hand instead of playing properly.

If you're not able to push the strings down without using your thumb you know where you have to fix things. Not that you don't use any clamping of the hand -- everybody uses some of that here and there -- but for the other 98% of the time all of your pressure on the strings comes from your back and longer muscles (and the weight) of the arm.

Matt Ides · #6 09-10-2004, 09:34 AM

I agree with both Neil and Ray.

I use the curved thumb (simandl) but also check that you are not using the thumb, and the thumb only. If you have that much thumb pain you are using it too much.

You should be able to hold the strings down with out the thumb touching the back of the neck. Get use to how this feels and then you will know when you are over using the thumb for pressure.

Plus, I find that when my elbow starts to drop I compensate with thumb pressure. When my elbow is more or less at 90 degrees it is much easier to use the weight of the arm and back.

Hope that helps.

Hector Wolff · #7 09-10-2004, 11:30 AM

Also remember that if you keep the bass more upright (instead of leaning back) it is much easier to get the notes stopped cleanly, without squeezing the strings between the thumb and fingers.

Johnny L · #8 09-10-2004, 11:39 AM

It's times like these when things like the Karr vomit exercises and the modern beginner books that go straight into thumb position seem to share so much wisdom.

Ray Parker's advice is dead on in my book. If "you know where to fix things" makes no sense to you, take this problem to a teacher who can help you face-to-face.

LaurenBell · #9 09-12-2004, 07:19 AM

My teacher had me take pressure off of my thumb by thinking about the shoulder being the support for the hand by using the muscles in the back to use the weight of the arm to press the strings down. He actually showed me that this way was stronger by having me pull off his fingers in the 2 different positions, and it turned out the clamped tension was less secure than using the muscles of your arm and back.

Libersolis · #10 10-08-2004, 08:41 AM

I have a lesson this week. Im going to try to get some of these issues resolved

SirFunk · #11 10-08-2004, 06:36 PM

Hi there,

I'd like to share my experiance with similar thumb pain.

First off, recently my thumb got to the point where i couldn't practice for more than 10 mintues witout being in so much pain i couldnt' concentrate anymore.

To remedy this i did a couple things including visiting a physical therapist. One of the things that the therapist suggested (and i think this made a big difference) was to make sure my wrist was (mostly) straight. I think i used to have my wrist bent 45 degrees or so... he said this would prevent things like lactic acid from being moved away from my thumb muscle.

I also began playing sitting down on a stool, which i think helps me obtain a better arm/wrist angle. Also i play sitting way on the edge of the stool, with one leg up... it's almost like standing, only i can brace the bass on my leg and the bass is at a bit of a different angle then it used to be...

Hope this helps a little... i had never really though how much my arm/wrist were related to my thumb before.

Libersolis · #12 11-08-2004, 06:11 PM

Thanks for all the advice.. I still have not really solved this problem several months later, so I think I may go and see a physical therapist

Savino · #13 11-08-2004, 11:17 PM

you may look into the bent endpin. I have found that , although it takes a little getting used to, it significantly reduces the weight of the bass on your thumb. this has helped me tremendously.

billybass · #14 11-08-2004, 11:34 PM

If the previous suggestions do not help take a look at how thick the neck is. I have found that basses with a thin neck make my left thumb bend the wrong way not creating the ideal C shape of the left hand. Part of what makes a bass feel comfortable is the relationship between the the thickness of the neck/fingerboard and the size of your hand. Bassists with big hands feel more comfortable with a thick neck and bassists whith small hands prefer thin necks. Playing a thin neck with big hands could possibly be the problem.

kwd · #15 11-09-2004, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johnny L

It's times like these when things like the Karr vomit exercises and the modern beginner books that go straight into thumb position seem to share so much wisdom.

It can't be overstated. I had the same problem with my thumb and the vomit exercises fixed it. Have you searched the threads for instructions on the vomit exercises? If not, I think it would be worthwhile. They're geared toward arco but you can do them pizz and get nearly the same benefit.

It's not about the thumb, it's about adopting a whole body approach.

Libersolis · #16 11-19-2004, 06:50 PM

Wow im not getting any better results.. Either I have an unknown injury or I am doing something terribly wrong that my teacher just doesnt notice. It takes me all of about 1 min to flare up and I am not exaggerating. I want to practice, but I am physically unable to and yes I have tried sitting down. I am going to make an appointment with a hand specialist

Savino · #17 11-20-2004, 03:21 AM

Alexander technique

Paul Warburton · #18 11-20-2004, 07:23 AM

Yeah, why don't you PM Don Higdon, (Donosaurus) our resident expert on the Alexander Technique?

SirFunk · #19 11-20-2004, 08:06 AM

Hmm... what part of your thumb is it that hurts? Joints? the "fatty" part(the big muscle)? If it's the muscle, then you are probably squeezing too hard or using it to hold the bass up. If you play sitting in a stool and support the bass with your leg, you can actually play without your thumb (it's very awkward) but that might give you an idea of how little you really have to use your thumb. Also make sure it's centered behind your fingers... if it's not it'll put lots of unneeded stress on it.

ii7-V7 · #20 02-19-2006, 08:48 PM

I'm curious if this poster ever resolved this issue?

Chad