building up nerve stamina - is it a thing?

[Killed_by_Death]

I went through long periods of just barely practicing, and then I went overdrive on it, but in the process I "sprained" my arm, for lack of a better word.

I took some time off from playing then & resumed with some better methods for left-hand technique.

I stand to play/practice now as well. In that area I don't have a problem for stamina, but if I play a lot I can feel it the next day & realize maybe I should slow down.

My arm problem was a numbness. I lost the grip in my ring & pinky fingers, but that's fine now.

I played quite a bit on Saturday & I could feel a bit of tennis elbow on Sunday, so I didn't do any playing.

Will I build stamina over time so that I can virtually play as long as I like, or should I just listen to my body & cool it when I sense that numbness setting in?

Coincidentally, my right hand also fatigues easily now, just holding a mouse.

 

[elgecko]

Building muscle stamina is a thing. If you went out a ran a marathon without any training, you'd definitely feel it the next day. It's very common to be sore after "working out". Numbness is a whole different thing. It's usually an indicator that you're doing something wrong and should change your instrument height, playing angle, or something.

 

[Killed_by_Death]

I've changed quite a bit. I raised the strap some, so the instrument is at the same position standing & seated. I stand now, because my armchair's arm gets in the way.

I've watched Andy Tate's lessons on left-hand technique and tried to apply them.

Hmm, I think that's his name, but for some reason I'm coming up empty with a search just now.

 

[/\/\3phist0]

look at scott devine also (scott's bass lessons)
Stretching/warming up (just like any physical endeavour) is important.
Diet, drinking water (not alcohol/beer)
TAKING BREAKS and restretching....
also try to "stay loose" and not "tense up" when playing and only use enough force to accomplish what you are attempting (no vice grip action on fretting hand, no "Thor's hammer" with the right) turn up the amp and let it do the work! certainly less is more-----

if it's "cramps" you are not getting enough potassium/water/electrolytes ....
if it's tendons
Link Removed

 

[/\/\3phist0]

oh and welcome back KBD.

 

[1stnamebassist]

Could be your ulnar nerve which runs from the inside of the elbow to your ring/pinky fingers. Look up exercises for ulnar tunnel and carpal tunnel on youtube and see if they help. I had surgery on both on my left arm about 17 years ago and it helped. My whole hand would go numb or feel like it was on fire sometimes.

 

[James Simonson]

I'd recommend more water, less sugar, some light jogging and do some stretching in your arms.

Learning to relax while playing is essential.

 

[dtripoli]

When I came back to playing bass after not touching a fretboard for 3 months due to a non-related injury, I had to pace myself.
I also approached playing bass differently. Concentrated on warming up first with a few stretches then chromatic scales all the way up the neck.
Secondly I made a concerted effort to lighten my attack on the strings. Lastly, I would force myself to stop at a good point rather than stopping from fatigue.
Each practice session got longer and longer and I'm playing better than before injury.
Previously I would get periodic bouts of numbness but I think it had more to do with my rambunctious attack of the strings and my death grip on the neck than some neurological reason.

Play on, we need all the bass players we can get!

 

[Killed_by_Death]

I realized at one point that I was just attacking the strings too hard, which was the majority of my fret buzz problem.
I still grip too tight at the frets, but I'm working on it.

 

[lz4005]

I realized at one point that I was just attacking the strings too hard, which was the majority of my fret buzz problem.
I still grip too tight at the frets, but I'm working on it.

Stretching before and an ice pack after will help what you've got going on. Sounds like some internal swelling that is pinching the nerves.
I get it too, more as I've gotten older.

And lightening up your touch, as you're talking about.
One exercise I have my students try is playing a whole song without touching the back of the neck with their thumb. You shouldn't play like that all the time, of course, but it can help you learn how little you need to grip.

Make sure your setup is on point. Good nut slot height is a big factor for me in being able to have a lighter left hand.

 

[Grumry]

Check your blood pressure and don't have a heart attack.

 

[guy n. cognito]

If you're getting numbness, then you with have a physical issue or a technique issue. Either way, you need to stop and take a break if numbness is occurring.

 

[Seiki]

I realized at one point that I was just attacking the strings too hard, which was the majority of my fret buzz problem.
I still grip too tight at the frets, but I'm working on it.

Get rid of the speed bumps and you'll develop a light touch in record time!

Alternatively, go as wild as you want without fret buzz

 

[Gravedigger Dav]

What you describe sound like it could be how you position your right arm and hand. Your wrist should be straight. A bent wrist is really bad for the carpal tunnel thing.

 

[InhumanResource]

I have had this issue with my pinky before. I tend to squeeze the s*** out of my neck and used to apply a lot of vibrato. Doing this with my pinky torqued it out and resulted in a similar loss of tension/grip that needed time to recover. Did it few times before I figured out that it was pretty much a technique issue. I don't use my pinky for vibrato and am more careful about how much pressure I am applying via the fretting hand.

 

[Killed_by_Death]

Hmm, I do tend to try to work my pinky as much as possible, on purpose.
Maybe I should lighten up on it.

 

[Tommyc]

When I pursued a degree in classical guitar, one of the good things was participation in master classes. I got to ask questions of professionals and one constant thing was that though some may have practiced as much as 5 hours total per day, practically all of them would always take a break after 45 minutes tops. One guy had an interesting way of practicing 3 hours. He would do 2, 45 minute practice sessions early in the day. That could have been in the morning or early afternoon and then 2, 45 minute sessions in the evening, always taking a 15 minute break between them. I found that one pretty doable. Of course I'd been playing quite a few years so 45 minutes was an easy adjustment.
Possibly 15-20 minutes of concentrated work in a specific area with a 10 minute break morning and evening and build from there?
Numbness, as mentioned, is never a good sign. Look at yourself in a mirror as you play and try to avoid any acute wrist angles in either hand. With any string instrument whether sitting or standing as straight a wrist as one can manage is best for avoiding nerve impingement. Good luck!

 

[Gravedigger Dav]

Hmm, I do tend to try to work my pinky as much as possible, on purpose.
Maybe I should lighten up on it.

The pinky was specifically designed for sipping tea.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
other uses of the pinky may cause injury.

 

[Killed_by_Death]

I thought it was used for a coca-cola spoon.

 

[bolophonic]

I went through long periods of just barely practicing, and then I went overdrive on it, but in the process I "sprained" my arm, for lack of a better word.

I took some time off from playing then & resumed with some better methods for left-hand technique.

I stand to play/practice now as well. In that area I don't have a problem for stamina, but if I play a lot I can feel it the next day & realize maybe I should slow down.

My arm problem was a numbness. I lost the grip in my ring & pinky fingers, but that's fine now.

I played quite a bit on Saturday & I could feel a bit of tennis elbow on Sunday, so I didn't do any playing.

Will I build stamina over time so that I can virtually play as long as I like, or should I just listen to my body & cool it when I sense that numbness setting in?

Coincidentally, my right hand also fatigues easily now, just holding a mouse.

I have battled pain and numbness in my pinky and elbow to some degree for years. In my case, I have concluded that it is largely unrelated to my playing technique and is directly affected by the way I sit at a laptop. You might be improving your bass technique, but overlooking an unrelated cause of ulnar irritation.