is bass the right instrument for me? (WARNING: Long Post)

[Seb_VitusFreak]

Hey TB! I had a small incident with my left wrist the other day, which I think may be related to no instruction on proper left hand technique when starting out.

Here's what happened:

I came home after class on Friday and when I moved my wrist to a previously pain-free position (i.e bent backwards or almost 90 degrees), I got this weird pain in the part of the joint where the finger bones come together. It is gone now, after wearing a soft splint for 2 days. I do not want it to return, so thats why I wanted to tell you guys!

Could it be related to my fretting hand position and wrist angle + bass positioning on a strap?

I am also about to look for a teacher that my current one referred me to tomorrow afternoon. (This new guy is a friend of his and my teacher told me that he is a genius bass player, so it should go over well.)

[theunknowndude]

Hi,

I think you are referring more to "is bad technique with left hand going to cause me injury" which the answer is yes,...

approach a knowledgeable person you trust and get help...

I went from playing small 30-45 min practices no worries to doing 2 hour stints with pretty much no breaks,... playing certain songs repeatedly were starting to kill my left hand! sought my teachers advice and it all went away but it isnt natural to be putting your hands into stressful positions repeatedly! if there is soemthing that is proper technique that your not used to maybe just perform it slowly until you get used to it?

[CanadaMan]

Hmm, I came in here expecting a mammoth opening post. But, yes, definently get someone to correct your fretting technique and maybe go see a chiropractor about it as well.

[theunknowndude]

oh and for what its worth, stretch your wrist /fingers... I have small reach (which doesnt seem to actually stop my ability that much) but find that having looser joints makes my left hand alot more comfortable espcially playing for long periods of time!

[gottawalk]

See a specialist.
Why the heck are you bending your wrist in that position????? You're bass would have to be flat on your lap to have to play that way.....

Okay; probably you're not bending your wrist in that position to play, (if so; get a different teacher!), so see a specialist. Too many things could be causing that from carpal tunnel to tendon strain.

[Seb_VitusFreak]

Thanks for the replies!

I was concerned with my fretting hand even when I raised my bass up to my chest because It didn't feel any easier to play. And having a P-bass that neck dives doesn't help ether.

[poomwah]

this is going to sound crazy, but maybe you could get someone to take some pics while you are playing, and you could post them and we could offer some more direct advice on how to adjust your left hand technique