In addition to speciic stretches for my problem areas I perform mobility exercises for my whole left side of my torso, shoulder, back and neck. Many RSI injuries include the whole side of the body. I don,t stick to time or number or reps I just try to move this region several times while playing
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Double Bass Amount of Stretching
- Thread starter Manticore Guy
- Start date
+1 for yoga, mtto.
When I was younger (and primarily a guitarist), I had some pretty serious tendonitis issues that stopped me from playing for the better part of 8 months. I changed my technique, started forcing myself to take more breaks (still difficult for me), and began doing some Aikido hand stretches daily. I would not suppose that they can heal an injury as much as prevent one, but they have worked great for me. The stretches are called kotagaeshi, nikkyo, and sankyo and likely can be found on Youtube videos.
Also, I think structuring one's practice session with warmup in mind. i am a runner, but never begin my run sprinting. that only happens if and when my body feels warmed up and ready for it.
Anyway my $.02.
Cheers, Stanky
When I was younger (and primarily a guitarist), I had some pretty serious tendonitis issues that stopped me from playing for the better part of 8 months. I changed my technique, started forcing myself to take more breaks (still difficult for me), and began doing some Aikido hand stretches daily. I would not suppose that they can heal an injury as much as prevent one, but they have worked great for me. The stretches are called kotagaeshi, nikkyo, and sankyo and likely can be found on Youtube videos.
Also, I think structuring one's practice session with warmup in mind. i am a runner, but never begin my run sprinting. that only happens if and when my body feels warmed up and ready for it.
Anyway my $.02.
Cheers, Stanky
- Apr 19, 2004
- 808
- 42
- 48
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Conklin Guitars (Basses)
This topic is a hot debate in a different hobby i do.
This article is over a year old, but this is one of the discussions going on. Im posting it to further better discussion.
Invalid Link Removed
Notice he cites an article that points in the opposite direction at the end of his blog. Do some linksearching before writing here, i think we can really get a good discussion going.
Mind you, i do not stretch before i play, but i do "play" before i play. Sit down, get in tune with my instrument, noodle some. "warm it up", Play with the bow.
Also i want all of you to realize there is a difference between stretching, doing exercises that facilitate Physical Training/Rehabilitation (PT), and exercises that actually are used to Increase Flexibility.
If it makes you comfortable to stretch, do so just please monitor what you do closely as some of the latest stuff suggests it can be dangerous.
In my other hobby, which is quite physical (I also do weight training and cardio every day, which actually turns into most of the stuff i do for my hobby) I dont stretch. I do warmups by starting slowly, but as with cardio, your warmup is usually the first 5 minutes of the cardio
___________________________
TL: DR:
Stretching can possibly cause you to be weaker before you play (Studies still being developed)
"Warming Up" Can boost your performance. (Like we didnt know that)
I don't Stretch, i do Warm up.
When i did martial arts as a teen i did use stretches as per the whole class did. In the current physical stuff i do, i dont.
This article is over a year old, but this is one of the discussions going on. Im posting it to further better discussion.
Invalid Link Removed
Notice he cites an article that points in the opposite direction at the end of his blog. Do some linksearching before writing here, i think we can really get a good discussion going.
Mind you, i do not stretch before i play, but i do "play" before i play. Sit down, get in tune with my instrument, noodle some. "warm it up", Play with the bow.
Also i want all of you to realize there is a difference between stretching, doing exercises that facilitate Physical Training/Rehabilitation (PT), and exercises that actually are used to Increase Flexibility.
If it makes you comfortable to stretch, do so just please monitor what you do closely as some of the latest stuff suggests it can be dangerous.
In my other hobby, which is quite physical (I also do weight training and cardio every day, which actually turns into most of the stuff i do for my hobby) I dont stretch. I do warmups by starting slowly, but as with cardio, your warmup is usually the first 5 minutes of the cardio
___________________________
TL: DR:
Stretching can possibly cause you to be weaker before you play (Studies still being developed)
"Warming Up" Can boost your performance. (Like we didnt know that)
I don't Stretch, i do Warm up.
When i did martial arts as a teen i did use stretches as per the whole class did. In the current physical stuff i do, i dont.
If you are having RSI issues and need stretching exercises, get this book:
http://www.amazon.com/Conquering-Ca...0393/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1288137516&sr=8-1
Did a few of them years ago and never had a problem since. Still do a little bit now and then.
http://www.amazon.com/Conquering-Ca...0393/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1288137516&sr=8-1
Did a few of them years ago and never had a problem since. Still do a little bit now and then.
As an Amazon Associate, TalkBass may receive commissions from qualifying purchases made via links on this site.
I have serious doubts about the study in the article proving what it claims to prove. Vertical leap would not exactly be my first test for something that stretching would benefit, as it is an explosive movement that is facilitated by tightness in the muscles and tendons. If the desired result of the stretching was something that required relaxation, like loose/fluid extension of a limb or playing the bass, I have a hunch that the results might be very different.
Not that it amounts to scientific data, but my personal experience is that I do cardio and body weight exercises early in the morning five days a week and two hours of martial arts training two nights a week. I spend a half an hour stretching and "limbering up" before working on my Kempo forms, and it certainly enables me to flow more freely and get more extension out of my legs and hips. When I don't do these stretches/warmups before diving into the forms, I can't get my kicks as high, I have less range of motion, and there's more pain involved. For the Jiu Jitsu, being limber and flowing is even more important, as that art seems to suffer the more explosively it is practiced. Again, it's just personal experience, but I have the same feeling about playing the bass - loose and relaxed is best for me.
As far as warming up to play the bass, I find the best thing is to play very slowly for a few minutes while paying great attention to time and the motion that produces it. Once that starts to lock in, nothing else seems to matter much. When there isn't time to warm up at the gig (as is usually the case), I think a great warmup strategy is to not play a burning uptempo selection for the first or second tune, and not attempt anything terribly chopsy during this time if it can be helped.
Not that it amounts to scientific data, but my personal experience is that I do cardio and body weight exercises early in the morning five days a week and two hours of martial arts training two nights a week. I spend a half an hour stretching and "limbering up" before working on my Kempo forms, and it certainly enables me to flow more freely and get more extension out of my legs and hips. When I don't do these stretches/warmups before diving into the forms, I can't get my kicks as high, I have less range of motion, and there's more pain involved. For the Jiu Jitsu, being limber and flowing is even more important, as that art seems to suffer the more explosively it is practiced. Again, it's just personal experience, but I have the same feeling about playing the bass - loose and relaxed is best for me.
As far as warming up to play the bass, I find the best thing is to play very slowly for a few minutes while paying great attention to time and the motion that produces it. Once that starts to lock in, nothing else seems to matter much. When there isn't time to warm up at the gig (as is usually the case), I think a great warmup strategy is to not play a burning uptempo selection for the first or second tune, and not attempt anything terribly chopsy during this time if it can be helped.
As far as warming up to play the bass, I find the best thing is to play very slowly for a few minutes while paying great attention to time and the motion that produces it. Once that starts to lock in, nothing else seems to matter much. When there isn't time to warm up at the gig (as is usually the case), I think a great warmup strategy is to not play a burning uptempo selection for the first or second tune, and not attempt anything terribly chopsy during this time if it can be helped.
yup
I dunno. I think it's one thing to limber up for MA (which is good to do) but it's another when it comes to other sports. I don't stretch when I prepare for a long hike/backpack or skiing anymore. There was another report where stretching before certain sports can increase your chance with injury. I do sometimes stretch for rock climbing just to get some extra reach and avoid pulling something. I think it all depends on what you're going to do.
Bass playing I don't stretch at all unless things feel tight.
Bass playing I don't stretch at all unless things feel tight.
The role of stretching for injury prevention is debated in the athletic performance field. Since stretching relaxes muscles and changes the awareness of muscle force and joint position it has been implicated as actually contributing to injuries - athletes need maximum control that is why pre exercise stretching is being phased out. Stretching for therapy is a different can of worms. Bass playing requires large amounts of fine motor control from the neck to the fingers, with minimal full range of motion (larger motions increase blood flow and joint lubrication). Since so many muscles, tendons and ligaments are being held in a constant contraction (practicing/playing for hours) there is a greater opportunity to develop an injury - tendon breakdown, ligament sprain, muscle dysfunction, joint stiffness, nervous system hypersensitivity etc. This collection of symptoms can lead to regional pain syndromes. Stretching is one therapeutic tool as is massage, strengthening exercises, drugs, heat, ice, proper nutrition etc. Stretching weak muscles and stretching that places stress on sprained ligaments is detrimental to longer term healing. A good sports medicine PT/therapist are often the most skilled with implementing a specific therapy program
This is all very interesting. From my experience, stretching my fingers, wrists, shoulders and arms seems to rejuvenate me whenever I do it, before, during and after playing. I just feel better afterwards and I think it helps with my endurance on long gigs.
I agree, I need to stretch while playing. As a beginner I haven't yet developed my technical ability to remain relaxed and confident in my playing - I just got over a nasty left arm injury due to DB playing. Stretching felt good and helped me to heal quickly.
