Bloody cramp

[Baker69]

When I was doing more "rock" gigs that I had to use a pick for I would have the same problem after 30-45 minutes. Darn near impossible to hold the pick. I saw several doctors about it, most of which wanted to operate (CTS), which I was not really up for doing...especially in the middle of extensive touring.

What did I do ? For rock gigs I switched to a thumb pick. It takes far less pressure to hold on to them and they're easy to make the transition to. I still hold them in a similar fashion to a regular pick, but due to needing very little pressure to grip them, I can play for hours with no problems. I use the National ones typically, though Dunlops are good for a different tone. (IIRC, Nick Lowe used a thumb pick in the 70's)

I rarely use picks these days, as my gigs don't call for them as often, but when I need one, the thumb pick is what saves me from excruciating pain.

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I used to use thumbpicks as well, but didn't find I needed to grip them at all, there's no need to grip them like a plectrum. I still use one on very rare occasions, you get some really good string attack wth them

As to cramps, I sometimes get them as well, possibly this is due to dehydration so you need to drink plenty of water.

 

[Dark Horse]

I used to use thumbpicks as well, but didn't find I needed to grip them at all, there's no need to grip them like a plectrum. I still use one on very rare occasions, you get some really good string attack wth them

Yep...I put my index finger on them more out of "habit" than anything.

 

[Mark Wilson]

Moved to Technique.

 

[Nightsblood]

I picked up a pack of the Dunlop thumb picks today for tonights practice. We'll see how they do.

 

[NGL]

I know I'm kinda late to get in on this, but I thought I would chime in for just a moment. I came here looking for exactly this thread. I'm 27 and have the exact same problem, and have for a few years at least. I'm used to being in front of people, and our shows are no more intense than practice, but for some reason (underlying nerves, most likely) one hand or the other is sure to cramp up 3-4 songs into the first set. After it works its way out, all is well; but it's a little bit of hell waiting for that point. I will definitely be trying the potassium before shows, since I know it isn't dehydration--I've never seen anyone drink as much water as me on a stage.

 

[bonelgesgory]

Hi Guys, many thanks for your helpful responses. Clearly I need a crash diet of potassium burgers garnished with magnesium relish drizzled in a chilli-pepper lower fore-arm jou, followed by a take it less seriously attitude. Seriously though it is refreshing to know I,m not on my own, and thanks for your advice. Im the bass man for stikkyfingers.co.uk

 

[grifff]

RELAX at the gig - you are too tense!

Dan K.

This. When you notice your hand start cramping, identify the problem and just try to relax. I used to have the exact same issue when I played in front of people. As soon as I had a few recitals and gigs under my belt I was able to identify the problem and just relax.

 

[Evil Undead]

I get cramp in my fretting hand... any tips?

 

[Michael Campbel]

Do you get free beer when you play gigs? I noticed the same thing too, no cramps during 5 hour practice, but 1.5 hours into a gig im cramping up.

Then it dawned on me....we get free beer so we drink...a lot of it haha. I think I was just getting a little dehydrated, so I made a point to drinks lots of water the day before, and a decent amount before the gig and it seems to do the trick.

I don't gig so I can't comment on the context, but *IN GENERAL*, if you down a pint of water for every pint of beer it helps with the hydration immensely. Reduced hangover effects, reduced overall consumption, reduced "idio-tard" behavior... it's all good.

Granted, you gotta pee a lot.

 

[iridiumrocks]

Do you get free beer when you play gigs? I noticed the same thing too, no cramps during 5 hour practice, but 1.5 hours into a gig im cramping up.

Then it dawned on me....we get free beer so we drink...a lot of it haha. I think I was just getting a little dehydrated, so I made a point to drinks lots of water the day before, and a decent amount before the gig and it seems to do the trick.

I have never had problems with hand cramps until yesterday. We played an outdoor show in hot, humid weather. I had a drink on the side of the stage (non-alcohol, I don't drink during gigs), but some drunk spilled it so I played about a 90 minute set with nothing to drink. Near the end of the set, we were playing a song that required me to bounce octaves with my index finger and pinky, and my index finger just locked up. It was like it had a splint on it, and I could not move it or bend it. It scared the crap out of me because my finger was paralyzed for about 30 seconds (seemed like forever). After the set, the guitar player said he had hand cramps too and thought it was due to dehydration. I had never heard of dehydration causing a symptom like that, but it makes sense. We normally play bar gigs and rarely play outdoor shows like this. Has anyone else had this happen?