Sore arm muscle - is it from playing?

[sync00]

I started playing bass a few months ago and soon after I got sore muscles in the upper outside left arm (I'm right-handed). It kept geting worse and now it is so bad I can't play.

I'm not sure if the problem was created from playing or something else though. I've read various threads about problems people have developed from playing and I don't recall reading about anyone having a problem in this area.

[gruffpuppy]

Give your arm a rest before it is to late.
Take a week or two off from playing and then check your playing style.

i.e. are you pressing harder than you need to?
are you trying to burn two octave runs without warming up?
is you bass hangin to low?

[JtheJazzMan]

yes thats a bad sign.....stretch your fingers back before and while playing. and ditto with the bass hanging too low. if its too low you sometimes have to strain your wrists and fingers to hit a note.

[Bruce Lindfield]

Originally Posted by sync00

I started playing bass a few months ago and soon after I got sore muscles in the upper outside left arm (I'm right-handed). It kept geting worse and now it is so bad I can't play.

I'm not sure if the problem was created from playing or something else though. I've read various threads about problems people have developed from playing and I don't recall reading about anyone having a problem in this area.

To be serious - there is no way anybody here can tell - unless they have actually seen you play and can see if you're going wrong.

You need to physically be in the same space as either a physiotherapist or a good bass teacher...

Anything anybody else says here, is at best just a guess!!

[Vorago]

Give it rest, hot compresses and see a docter.

[sync00]

I think the bass may actually have been too high. I was using a book where all the beginning exercises are on the first three frets. It was really awkward and may have been too much off a stretch. Right now I can move that arm in every direction except up.

I've seen quite a few people with muscle problems who went to the doctor and the problem only got worse. They eventually had to have surgery which did not improve the situation either.

[ras1983]

sounds like some form of tendinitis. i've suffered from it when i was powerlifting, but never from bassplaying.

you should see a doctor, and also do some stretching when you warm up. its very important to stretch.

[Peter Squire]

Originally Posted by Bruce Lindfield

To be serious - there is no way anybody here can tell - unless they have actually seen you play and can see if you're going wrong.

You need to physically be in the same space as either a physiotherapist or a good bass teacher...

Anything anybody else says here, is at best just a guess!!

+1

Be wary of any medical diagnosis on a bass player website. The best I can suggest is you see a physio. I was telling Vorago earlier that sometimes aches in the arms can be associated with shoulder strains, but without seeing you and your range of motion etc, I would be hesitant to suggest any causes at all.

Good luck

[j-bass-kreep]

Go to a doctor to check that everything is OK ,and then go to a proper bass teacher than can teach you proper technique.

[Munjibunga]

Originally Posted by sync00

I started playing bass a few months ago and soon after I got sore muscles in the upper outside left arm (I'm right-handed). It kept geting worse and now it is so bad I can't play.

I'm not sure if the problem was created from playing or something else though. I've read various threads about problems people have developed from playing and I don't recall reading about anyone having a problem in this area.

Left arm? Could be a sign of heart problems ... or maybe cancer. Most likely poor technique, though. But then again, you just never know now, do you.