Love hurts, and so does bass

[olias]

I've only been playing bass about 5 months. Since I've started, my ears ring all the time and both my shoulders hurt. When I say my shoulders hurt, I don't mean sore muscles--I mean joints. Hard to sleep on my side, either of them. I wear my bass with the headstock about eye level and the body where my forearm is close to parallel with the ground--not unstylishly high and not heavy-metal low. Any suggestions about what I might do to improve my shoulder situation? I really don't want to give up bass.
Thanks

[McHaven]

Are you playing at exceptionally high volumes? No reason for the ringing in your ears. Or, Are you exposed to high volumes often? It could be tinnitus setting in. As for solutions for your shoulders, try a wide leather strap (preferably with suede on the underside) Try for at least 2.5" across

[Wesley R]

Originally Posted by McHaven

Are you playing at exceptionally high volumes? No reason for the ringing in your ears. Or, Are you exposed to high volumes often? It could be tinnitus setting in. As for solutions for your shoulders, try a wide leather strap (preferably with suede on the underside) Try for at least 2.5" across

and a question, do you play hard? lighten up the touch maybe, Do tou use headphones?

Please prtect your ears.

Best of Luck,
Wesley R.

[olias]

The ears are a lost cause--tinnitus. Too many years of listening to loud music and playing bagpipes and drums indoors. Ringing (sounds like crickets actually) started about a month after I started playing bass. I normally use a 15 watt practice amp set on 3. Even playing unplugged (I play a semi-acoustic viola bass) seems to make the ringing worse.

Main thing I am concerned about now is my shoulders. They shouldn't hurt like this, and I can't help but think it is related to how it's hangin. I practice while seated most of the time, but have started standing more to see if that helps. So far it hasn't. The V-bass is pretty lightweight too--only about 8 pounds. I am hoping someone else here has had this problem and solved it and will share the solution with me.

[i like tictacs]

Originally Posted by olias

The ears are a lost cause--tinnitus. Too many years of listening to loud music and playing bagpipes and drums indoors. Ringing (sounds like crickets actually) started about a month after I started playing bass. I normally use a 15 watt practice amp set on 3. Even playing unplugged (I play a semi-acoustic viola bass) seems to make the ringing worse.

Main thing I am concerned about now is my shoulders. They shouldn't hurt like this, and I can't help but think it is related to how it's hangin. I practice while seated most of the time, but have started standing more to see if that helps. So far it hasn't. The V-bass is pretty lightweight too--only about 8 pounds. I am hoping someone else here has had this problem and solved it and will share the solution with me.

I am another tinnitus sufferer- I've had it almost four years now.

It SUCKS. Do everything you can from stopping it from getting worse. Just be careful. Earplugs at concerts, and jamming with drummers.



I'd give anything to have normal ears again, I'd even give up bass. It is one of my biggest f-ups in life. I went trap shooting and the guy running the place didn't provide ear plugs or muffs. 100 odd shotgun rounds later, my ears were toast.

[gruffpuppy]

I dont know to what level it helps but my ears ring more if I don't take care of myself and get enough B Vitamins

[morf]

First the ringing: lower the amp level... adjust the EQ so you dont get too low lows.

For the shoulders: Get a fat, wide strap, or get a lighter bass, or workout more to get some shoulders/back muscles

[spliffnriff]

Are you taking lessons? You should have your posture and technique looked at by your teacher or someone in the know as it could also be that you are hanging over your bass or you might be tightening your upper back muscles when you play, adding strain!
my 2 cents.

Al

[Derek the Cello]

I would suggest considering physical therapy, especially if you can get it mostly covered by health insurance. I just went through a few months after putting it off for years. I had problems with my back, shoulder, neck and wrists that got really bad in the last year. Honestly, I'm pretty embarrassed I didn't take care of it when it started, because I felt better so quickly.
I would recommend always practicing at low volumes, especially with headphones, because you can't feel the response in your body as you would with speakers which fools a lot of people into increasing volume, thinking it's not as damaging as it is.