Stretch Before You Play?

markjazzbassist · #1 05-23-2006, 04:02 PM

Lately i have been stretching before i start practicing or playing for a gig. It could just be the placebo effect, but i think it has really been helping me. Especially when i have to play a gig cold. I was just wondering if anyone else does this too.

mimaz · #2 05-23-2006, 04:08 PM

Are you talkin' about your strings or yourself?

The Golden Boy · #3 05-23-2006, 04:22 PM

I used to, but it was more of being "active" while playing. I didn't want to "blow a hammie" as they say in the AOL commercial.

markjazzbassist · #4 05-23-2006, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mimaz

Are you talkin' about your strings or yourself?

im talking about myself. i usually stretch my back, shoulders, neck, forearms and arms, and my fingers.

jobo4 · #5 05-23-2006, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markjazzbassist

Lately i have been stretching before i start practicing or playing for a gig. It could just be the placebo effect, but i think it has really been helping me. Especially when i have to play a gig cold. I was just wondering if anyone else does this too.

My favorite instructor taught me to stretch hands and fingers from early on. Also, she advocates using the pinky for the third fret whenever possible (as opposed to finger for fret.)

Does that make sense?

mimaz · #6 05-23-2006, 04:28 PM

If it helps you to be more relaxed, more comfortable.....go for it! No reason not to, from perspective of playing as well as physical and mental health.

nad · #7 05-23-2006, 04:31 PM

Stretching my fingers is an absolute MUST for me, since I battle with tendonitis from time to time. Stretching helps immensely, I can't recommend it enough.

Also stretching the back and legs can be helpful for long playing sessions.

g00eY · #8 05-23-2006, 04:34 PM

i don't know about stretching, but i like to stay warm during sets. not unbearably sweaty warm, but it can't be cold or my arms freeze. i played a battle of the bands show and my arms were cold during the entire 4 or so song set. it sucked.

IanStephenson · #9 05-23-2006, 04:48 PM

Absolutly a good idea.

I don't ALWAYS, but I really should: shake down the the wrists, cuff rotations and then some arm stretches are my routine, which I try and do before playing.

It protects against damage, which is reason enough. But I do think it helps playing too - I can pick up the bass and feel relaxed and comfortable.

It's something I've just started this year, but its the number one thing I'd recommend to EVERYONE.

DO IT!

Ian

p.s. I'll also sneak a few stretches in during the set too if I fell myself tensing up. Helps big time.

superbassman2000 · #10 05-23-2006, 04:54 PM

i have been streching my fingers and especially my wrists...i think because of not stretching my wrists before i play bass and my computer i think i am getting some CTS...i started noticing it around the time i started learning DB

jimb213 · #11 05-23-2006, 05:05 PM

oh yeah, stretching is part of my warmup routine. I'll play some slow scales, speed 'em up over the course of a couple minutes, play through a few difficult/athletic riffs (dream theater, jaco, muse, etc), then put the bass down and stretch my back, shoulders, arms, hands, and fingers. And I like to give my forearms and hands little massages, too. just to help really loosen up.

markjazzbassist · #12 05-23-2006, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by g00eY

i like to stay warm during sets. not unbearably sweaty warm, but it can't be cold or my arms freeze.

+1

i feel the same way. i would rather be sweating and overheated than cold. I like to be a little warm it keeps my body temperature up and the blood flowing through my arms, hands, and fingers.

glad people are stretching before they play too

heath_the_great · #13 05-24-2006, 02:43 AM

nope...dont really need to, guess im lucky like that, i can just pick up and play..

IanStephenson · #14 05-24-2006, 04:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by heath_the_great

nope...dont really need to, guess im lucky like that, i can just pick up and play..

Yeah... I was "lucky" for years. Then the pain started...

By the time it beceomes a problem you've already done the damage and there's no going back. From then it's a matter of constant care and injury management.

Maybe you'll keep being lucky, or maybe you'll pick up your bass in five years time and suddenly be struck by crippling pain. It'll be too late to do much about it then, but you can do something about it NOW.

I'm sure you heard the joke about the guy who jumps off a 20 story building. As he passes each window on the way down they hear him saying "so far so good..."

Ian

heath_the_great · #15 05-24-2006, 05:13 AM

havent heard that one, but its not like i dont do nothing all day then pick up, i work as a toolmaker/maintenance fitter, so im rather active all day, and i practise brazillian jui jitsu, so after that im rather streched...but i neccecarily "strech" before playing

Akami · #16 05-24-2006, 05:38 AM

I try to stretch my legs and get my shoulders loosened up before hitting the stage, as well as taking a shower, but for practice I don't do any prep.

evan_phi · #17 05-24-2006, 05:44 AM

i stretch all the time. fingers, then wrists, then arms, then shoulders, then back.

it is essential for me to stretch, esp. my fingers or else i cramp and hurt.

**Bryan R. Tyler** · #18 05-24-2006, 06:50 AM

Unless my hands are already flexible from doing a lot of manual work beforehand, I spend a few minutes stretching whenever I can- sometimes 15min or more. I also put my hands in very warm water and stretch them in there when my hands are a little stiff- you can really feel the stretching then, and the heat improves your circulation.