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Activities that make bass more difficult

#63
Robert B said:
If I use a gas-powered weed eater for much longer than 10-15 minutes, it will set my hands to shaking so bad I can't play for hours, sometimes for the rest of the day!
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Brush cutters are worse. I always laugh to myself when I see some guy (always a guy) with a bigger-is-better/he-man thing that uses a brush cutter to weed whip his yard. The thrill of power is fleeting when you run one for more than a few minutes at a crack. Same holds true for most OPE. The backpack leaf blower used to kick my butt (actually my right hand, wrist, forearm and elbow) in the fall. A walk behind blower might be the biggest labor saver I've seen in about 10 years.
 
#65
I skateboarded for many years, ruined my ankles and wrists.
Also played semi-pro paintball up and down the west coast for about 7 years.
So the prior wear and tear doesn't help.

Now I work as a graphic designer, 8-10 hrs a day on a computer.
However, on days when I go to the gun range (nothing large, usually 9mm) I have the most trouble playing bass.

Fingers won't do what I want, right hand technique is gone.
 
#67
Scottkarch said:
I work in IT. At the computer 7-12 hours a day. I've had days where the tendons are so sore it is difficult to play or jam later that night or the next day. Luckily it has been short lived... but I probably need to address that before it becomes permanent.
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I also work in IT and had tendonitis in the past. The key to preventing it is to keep your wrists straight. If your wrists are cupped in either direction the muscles in your forearm will get tied up over time and then you can't grip properly. Gel pads for the keyboard and mouse can help and keeping your elbows at the same height as the desk is a must.
 
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#70
Not a daily activity but during Summer I tend to escape to the coast every weekend and enjoy the beach. Problem is I almost always forget to put sunscreen because I'm an idiot and end up scorching my shoulders and neck. Come Monday, I look like a burnt chorizo and have to play my bass sitting down because the strap absolutely kills my life. Particularly poopy if I happen to be playing a gig that same week.
 
#72
I used to mountain bike a bit and lift weights, but shut the former down and backed off the latter. A few spills on the mountain bike with no harm done still told me that it would be very, very easy for major harm to be done to wrists, and not remotely worth it. With weights, I backed off on weight and moved away from exercises that were most stressful on wrists and elbows. I still bike-commute sometimes, but that's much easier on hands & wrists most of the time.
 
#77
PluckyThump said:
I also work in IT and had tendonitis in the past. The key to preventing it is to keep your wrists straight. If your wrists are cupped in either direction the muscles in your forearm will get tied up over time and then you can't grip properly. Gel pads for the keyboard and mouse can help and keeping your elbows at the same height as the desk is a must.
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Yup, chair setup, support, and shape is most important. It's well worth it to invest in a really good [Invalid or Expired Link Removed], or convince your job to. IMO using an Aeron has saved me from the wrist and arm problems I read about here.
 
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#78
Red Four said:
I used to mountain bike a bit and lift weights, but shut the former down and backed off the latter. A few spills on the mountain bike with no harm done still told me that it would be very, very easy for major harm to be done to wrists, and not remotely worth it. With weights, I backed off on weight and moved away from exercises that were most stressful on wrists and elbows. I still bike-commute sometimes, but that's much easier on hands & wrists most of the time.
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I once had to cancel a gig because of a concussion, road rash, black eyes, from a mountain bike spill.

Another time I got a insignificant little scratch woodworking at home
 
#80
baceface said:
I do a lot of remodeling, plumbing and tile work... which is the worst. Cutting copper pipe and such sometimes leaves a few slices in your finger tips. Then flux gets in it and burns it to h3ll. Then a bass string rips it all back apart later.
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true dat, im a plumber working for a huge shop in Chicago (we did the plumbing for Trump Tower here).
Between the earily hours and back breaking stuff during the day........well......you get the rest.
 
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