As an experiment, make a game out of finding the absolute minimum pressure needed to fret cleanly. Press lightly just behind a fret.
I second this
You should be able to fret a note with your thumb barely touching the back of the neck. Use your arm muscles to gently pull, not your hand muscles to squeeze
This seems like something most self-taught bass players don't get, and then they end up trying to fix bad technique with setups and strings that can compromise the sound and playability of the instrument.
Thirded.
@Dust2Dust Sounds much more like a technique issue than a gear issue.
Don't squeeze that hard.
The key to playing a stringed instrument is only using just enough strength to play the note cleanly. You shouldn't have to squeeze very hard. It will take a bit of practice to un-train yourself from overgripping. Just run through some exercises or simple songs you know playing with as light a touch as possible while still getting a clean note.
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Well, first, make sure your bass is properly set up by a professional. If the bass's action is too high, you're essentially using one of these every time you try to squeeze the string to a note:
A proper setup means with good action means you don't have to move the string nearly as far to the fret, and the strings aren't fighting back nearly as much.
But you can't just lower the string hight without ensuring the neck is set up properly first (aka truss rod adjustment.)
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Once the bass is properly set up, start practicing playing without squeezing too hard.
Are lighter gauges easier to play? Yes, but not necessarily. Victor Wooten uses a lighter gauge on tour because he feels they're less fatiguing. However, my easiest-to-play bass has La Bella Deep Talkin' Flats on it. Those are considered some of the stiffest "high tension" strings. But i can play them effortlessly on that bass because the bass is set up well and i play with just enough strength to get a clean tone.
The lighter strings might help a little.
The setup + proper grip technique will help A LOT more, even with the strings you have now.
Once you get in the habit of playing lighter, then experiment with different string sizes. Also experiment with different neck shapes. Go into music shops and just play different basses. Go to open jams, make friends with other bassist and trade basses for a song or two. Find a neck shape you really love and then consider adding that bass to your collection.
People often cite the Jazz bass as being easier to play because the neck is thinner than the P bass. But i find the beef of a P neck easier to play on in my hand. But i still play my Jazz bass and other thin-necked basses now and then without issue. Everybody is different; every bass is different.
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Also:
- It's important to warm up first. Get the blood flowing to your fingers before you start playing. That could include finger stretches, or gently playing some exercises on the bass, or playing some really simple songs before you really start playing. Chopin would literally soak his wrists in warm water to warm up and loosen the muscles. Warming up is incredibly important and a lot of players don't do it nearly enough, myself included. But it'll definitely prevent some cramping.
- Don't overdo it. If you're starting to get cramping in your hand, stop playing. Don't try to fight through it. Stop playing and do some hand, arm, and shoulder exercises. Take a break before you start playing again.
- Do some light finger strengthening exercises regularly. It doesn't have to be an insane finger workout routine. But stronger fingers mean you have to exert less strength and energy pressing the strings to the fretboard.
