Shoulder pains

[lexxmexx]

I am using a stock SX and I get really awful pain on my left shoulder after a few minutes whenever I am playing it standing. I will be forced to sit down and rest the bass body on my thigh to ease the pain. I am using the strap that came with the bass by the way. I noticed that I tend to rest my right wrist on the bass body, thus pushing the bass downwards which might have resulted in added weight. I have already kicked this habit but the pain persisted and I couldn't play very long while standing. Can someone help me out?

Is it normal to get this shoulder pain? Will changing of the strap help?

[Hellrazor]

A wider strap may indeed help - it distributes the weight over a larger area.

[Ezbass]

A wider strap will help with the weight certainly, but the pain in your shoulder may be coming from your left hand position too. I have a tendency to hunch my left shoulder when standing and playing even with my light basses, end result... tight shoulder. Have a look at your posture when playing standing for any unnecessary tension. Also get a shoulder massage to work out any residual tone and tightness, otherwise you're always going to be starting from an already uncomfortable point.

[lexxmexx]

Originally Posted by Ezbass

but the pain in your shoulder may be coming from your left hand position too. I have a tendency to hunch my left shoulder when standing and playing even with my light basses, end result... tight shoulder.

Yes, you got it spot on! I will need to let my left arm down when the pain gets too overwhelming. I have been like this since the first day I picked up the bass, so erm...how do I correct this?

[peterbright]

Relax the shoulder & play with no thumb/hand contact on the back of the neck for a while.

[MrLenny]

A strap will help a bit but if the pain is persistent have a good legit
teacher or player evaluate your guitar's position on you.
If you play your bass like the rock guys do on MTV you'll have problems.
They look cool but it is the worst position for playing.

[livingstone]

Shoulder exercises do wonders (but may take some time to heal the injury). A short appointment with a physical therapist in order to narrow down the specific muscles, etc. to be exercised, as well as the proper exercises for those muscles, would be appropriate.

[Ezbass]

Originally Posted by lexxmexx

Yes, you got it spot on! I will need to let my left arm down when the pain gets too overwhelming. I have been like this since the first day I picked up the bass, so erm...how do I correct this?

Everybody here is making good points and all will work. For me, when I'm aware of the tension, it is enough for me to try and relax when playing (head up, chest out, shoulders down). A home stretch recommended by my osteopath is to sit in a straight backed chair, grip the seat with your left hand and then tilt your head to the right just using the weight of your head, DON'T FORCE IT. You'll feel a stretch in your neck that will also stretch your trapizius which is where you're probably getting the soreness. Hold this for about 30 secs just using the weight of your head. If in doubt consult a practioner of some kind, osteopath, sports therapist, masseur, etc.

[embellisher]

Definitely check into a wider, better strap.

[RandomHandle]

I have been playing for 25 years.
I have been using ComfortStrapp for about 20 years

Even after all these years, my shoulder will start to cramp inside of about 15 minutes if I use a thin strap.
For me , at least, its a matter of the thin strap putting all of its weight down on one specific point, which apparently is a pressure point for me.

Ive also noted that to some degree my Blue Flower Precision causes this discomfort even with comfort strapp.
the basswood body being so light that it neck dives and simply happens to "tug" the pressure point.

suggest you ALWAYS stand when practicing, btw.