DB players more prone to tendonitus and other wrist problems?

Vacume · #1 08-17-2010, 07:19 PM

I am currently recovering from a wrist problem and Im just curious because the DB is such a big instrument dose it make us more prone to tendonitus compared to players playing other instruments? or can proper technique and strengthening overcome it?

salcott · #2 08-17-2010, 08:01 PM

Yes and yes.

Marcus Johnson · #3 08-17-2010, 08:15 PM

Hehe.. great answer, salcott.

The only time I had any problem with tendons, I was doing a LOT of doubling, long days and nights of both basses, and I really think it was because I got careless with my electric technique. I think that the importance of proper technique on the slab sometimes is underrated. I haven't really had any physical problems related to the DB. But then, I play so much more DB, I guess it's not surprising. When I strap on a bass guitar, I start to feel it pretty quickly.

kreider204 · #4 08-17-2010, 08:17 PM

When I was in music school, I knew a LOT of pianists with tendinitis and/or CTS. I also knew one DBist - me ...

TroyK · #5 08-17-2010, 08:23 PM

Well, yes.

Most instruments have some physical challenges, but...yes.

damonsmith · #6 08-17-2010, 11:39 PM

I had some minor tendon pain when I played BG, and from typing. The DB tends to make it feel better. Proper technique means using your arms for tone, then your fingers are a lot more free to move.
If you get the instrument to balance and play properly it should be more efficient than BG technique and less strenuous on the body.

pnut166 · #7 08-17-2010, 11:52 PM

I played DB bluegrass in a touring band in my teens / early 20s. After 3-4 years of playing, my fingers (middle joints) in my left hand would be extremely sore and stiff to the point of locked up the morning following a long gig. I never actually went to an MD for it. I gave up DB, switched to electric, and never had another flareup.

hdiddy · #8 08-18-2010, 11:40 AM

Did you study with a DB specific teacher at any point to work on your technique?

Eric Hochberg · #9 08-18-2010, 01:22 PM

It's not only poor technique, bad habits, etc. but a poorly setup or, "tight/stiff" playing bass that fights you, that can contribute to physical problems. It's very important to get your bass playing as "easy" as possible if you want a long career, IMO.

damonsmith · #10 08-18-2010, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eric Hochberg

It's not only poor technique, bad habits, etc. but a poorly setup or, "tight/stiff" playing bass that fights you, that can contribute to physical problems. It's very important to get your bass playing as "easy" as possible if you want a long career, IMO.

Exactly! Even and epsecially if you high action and to really dig in. I am working more medium these days.

Square Bear · #11 08-19-2010, 06:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marcus Johnson

Hehe.. great answer, salcott.

The only time I had any problem with tendons, I was doing a LOT of doubling, long days and nights of both basses, and I really think it was because I got careless with my electric technique. I think that the importance of proper technique on the slab sometimes is underrated. I haven't really had any physical problems related to the DB. But then, I play so much more DB, I guess it's not surprising. When I strap on a bass guitar, I start to feel it pretty quickly.

i've had more problems with EB as well. actually, playing DB has never been the cause of any physical injury for me. typing, chopping vegetables, moving boxes, etc. have caused minor problems. i recently tweaked out my back really bad setting the parking brake on my car. this leads me to believe that repetitive strain injury is not so much about the size of the instrument as the nature of the motion. out of all the musicians i have known personally (not including people on this board), i know of a few violists/violinists, a couple guitarists and several pianists who have had major playing related injuries. no bassists come to mind though actually.

Eric Hochberg · #12 08-19-2010, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Square Bear

i know of a few violists/violinists, a couple guitarists and several pianists who have had major playing related injuries. no bassists come to mind though actually.

Now you know one (me). Mike Arnopol, on this forum, had one. Dennis Carroll, a top Chicago player, stopped playing DB for 9 years due to tendonitis. The son of a bass teacher here in town had to quit for the same reason. Injuries are very common for bass players from what I can tell...

johnz · #13 08-19-2010, 10:53 AM

Double bass is indeed a handful; however, blindly using "proper" technique on just about any instrument opens you up to repetitive stress syndrome. Be that as it may, I've come to the conclusion that, for the most part, we injure ourselves through inattention.

There's a litany we run in our heads as we play. Rufus Reid goes so far as to put some percentages to it. The cliff-notes version is something like this (feel free to add/delete sections...)

The majority of the time, we need to be focusing on what the band is doing: Is the pulse happening? Do I have to compensate because x slowing down again? How is the overall sound?

Part of the time you need to focus on you own sound production. How's my intonation? Are my lines happening in relationship to the other band members? Is my time steady?

And, part of the time, you need to be listening to your body. Am I playing on the tips of my fingers? Am I keeping my thumb planted in the right place behind my fingers? Am I comfortably pulling the notes out of the bass? Am I relaxed? Where's the tension building up in my body now?

That last part should only take a fraction of your attention while playing; but, if you leave it out, you're setting yourself up for injury. On the other hand, if you pay attention to it, then every time you pick up the instrument, you have an opportunity to make your playing more comfortable and effective - and less prone to injury!

I'm sorry if I'm being too "preachy"; but, sometimes the obvious gets overlooked!

Eric Hochberg · #14 08-19-2010, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnz

And, part of the time, you need to be listening to your body. Am I comfortably pulling the notes out of the bass? Am I relaxed? Where's the tension building up in my body now?

That last part should only take a fraction of your attention while playing; but, if you leave it out, you're setting yourself up for injury. On the other hand, if you pay attention to it, then every time you pick up the instrument, you have an opportunity to make your playing more comfortable and effective - and less prone to injury!

If you're having physical problems, this advice should be first on your list! +1,000,000!

Square Bear · #15 08-19-2010, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eric Hochberg

Now you know one (me). Mike Arnopol, on this forum, had one. Dennis Carroll, a top Chicago player, stopped playing DB for 9 years due to tendonitis. The son of a bass teacher here in town had to quit for the same reason. Injuries are very common for bass players from what I can tell...

if you read my post, you will see that i said "not including people on this board." i know of bassists who have dealt with major injuries, but have yet to meet one in person. i'm just not convinced that it is more common. that is not to say it is uncommon either, but musicians can become injured playing just about any instrument if they do not have the correct physical approach or have a pre-existing condition.

JtheJazzMan · #16 08-19-2010, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eric Hochberg

It's not only poor technique, bad habits, etc. but a poorly setup or, "tight/stiff" playing bass that fights you, that can contribute to physical problems. It's very important to get your bass playing as "easy" as possible if you want a long career, IMO.

Coming from the low action school of thought has its benefits......

Eric Hochberg · #17 08-20-2010, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Square Bear

if you read my post, you will see that i said "not including people on this board." i know of bassists who have dealt with major injuries, but have yet to meet one in person.

Oh, excuse me.

damonsmith · #18 08-20-2010, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JtheJazzMan

Coming from the low action school of thought has its benefits......

Even if you want the high action sound a good set up and proper technique is still important, maybe more so.
I play acoustic most of the time minimal strain.

Marc Piane · #19 08-20-2010, 11:51 AM

I think it is also about 'conditioning'. I've never had any major playing related injuries but I know that, at least for myself, if my practice time has slipped off then trying to do a 5 hour job starts to make weird pain (not the good kind) in places I didn't even know could hurt. I preach good technique and good muscle conditioning to my students.

There are the greatest athletes in the world (Our examples being Eric and Mike) that do everything right and still get hurt. F***ing human body.

Treyzer · #20 08-20-2010, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eric Hochberg

Oh, excuse me.

I just love that..a true Steve Martin moment Eric. BTW, I'm a bassist who has had the very good fortune to study under a number of excellent teachers. I still can experience some aches and pains. Currently, I feel some pain in the heel of my left thumb. Typically I have a very soft touch with my left hand, however this sometimes happens when I'm playing for long periods of time and only after a really slow ballad where I'm trying to make my notes sustain for as long as possible. It's the only time I find myself pressing a bit too hard with my left hand. I guess it's nature's way of telling me to ease up a bit!