my wrist hurts--is it because of my bass?

[superbassman2000]

Every gig I play it seems like my wrist is starting to hurt more and more--sometimes my whole arm starts to feel it after a while too. I never feel any pain any other time, so I am wondering if its my bass. I did get a stinger way back in high school, and its the same feeling, but again, I only get that pain in my arm at gigs.

One thing I have considered is my bass. as far as the top contour goes, its similar to a ric, where there is no forearm contour, and it is bound, so it is like a 90 degree angle that I rest my forearm on, which be something. I try not to rest my arm on the bass, but then thats where my whole arm starts to hurt...

is it my technique? my bass? my inability to accept pain?

[hunta]

How low/high do you let your bass ride? If it's real low that could be a problem. What style of music do you play? Fingers or a pick? Slap? How long have you been playing?

Need more info

[James_B]

Originally Posted by hunta

Need more info

Or less info

[superbassman2000]

Originally Posted by hunta

How low/high do you let your bass ride? If it's real low that could be a problem. What style of music do you play? Fingers or a pick? Slap? How long have you been playing?

Need more info

I keep my bass at an average height, near my waist.
the band is a classic rock cover band and I play fingerstyle and I have been playing for 8 years

It's not my fretting hand that is giving me problems--its my plucking hand.

[Steve Clark]

I would suggest working on a right hand position that allows you to keep your wrist as straight as possible. It sounds like you have a bend in the wrist. Changing your wrist/hand position is going to feel weird but if you continue to play with a wrist at a sharp angle it could lead to problems down the road. My wrist is quite straight now and comfortable but i the beginning I had some difficulty with articulation. I also play as lightly as possible rather than dig in and play hard.

[steve66]

Originally Posted by Steve Clark

I would suggest working on a right hand position that allows you to keep your wrist as straight as possible. It sounds like you have a bend in the wrist. Changing your wrist/hand position is going to feel weird but if you continue to play with a wrist at a sharp angle it could lead to problems down the road. My wrist is quite straight now and comfortable but i the beginning I had some difficulty with articulation. I also play as lightly as possible rather than dig in and play hard.

+1

Keep the wrist as straight a possible, Use your shoulder to move up and down the strings. Check out ask a pro. Todd Johnsons technique

[Monomer]

I wear a PUSH brace on my fretting hand, and it helps a LOT.



Proper technique is also important. I'm missing a bone in my wrist thats keep the wrist from popping out of joint.