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Cramped/stiff left fingers playing live

jvalenzh

jvalenzh

Mar 4, 2013
174
36
49
Old Bridge, NJ, USA
#1
Hello,
I recently did a 2 hour very energetic and intense gig where in the last 3 songs my left fingers started cramping, especially the middle finger, staying stiff in the bent position. I couldn't lift it to change notes. I had to stretch it with my right hand in between songs. It would happen again shortly into the next song. This has only happened during these long and intense gigs. What is recommended to avoid this?
Thanks!
 
#2
This certainly isn't a scientific list by any stretch, but i found it helped me stay strong, loose and power through long gigs.

1. relax. When I'm nervous, i tend to tense up and it makes playing much more difficult than it should be.
2. hydrate (water not booze)
3. a banana before the gig, maybe during a break.

YMMV but it worked for me (no longer gigging).

Good Luck!
 
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#4
gidbass said:
This certainly isn't a scientific list by any stretch, but i found it helped me stay strong, loose and power through long gigs.

1. relax. When I'm nervous, i tend to tense up and it makes playing much more difficult than it should be.
2. hydrate (water not booze)
3. a banana before the gig, maybe during a break.

YMMV but it worked for me (no longer gigging).

Good Luck!
Click to expand...
Thank you!
 
#8
3 gigs ago (about 5 weeks), I played a 3 hr open air "hot rod , custom car show". It was cold.. During the last song, my ring finger, on my left hand , went stiff , then bent unnaturally 90 degrees backwards to my hand.. NEVER happened before.. took 3 minutes to slowly "come back". Extremely painful. Iv played longer shows , in similar cold conditions, since, but ,thank goodness, it hasn't returned. I have started drinking electrolyte type sports drinks, not sure if that has helped, but I'm scared to not keep drinking. I should add, im OLD, and all sorts of weird physical stuff is occasionally happening . Good luck Mate,
I hope u find a fix , that works for u
 
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#9
Hope I don't get chastised by the "supplement police" again, but what I've been told and been using for joint health for decades is fish oil. Of course, decent hydration as well, but at age 57, I have less cramping, aches and issues than when I was half this age.
Can I attribute it to the supplements? Not scientifically, but hey, it's a cheap remedy, and as I understand it, the benefits are a bit of lube for the joints as well as anti-inflammatory agent. I also take other joint health supplements, but just mentioning them got me a lecture last time, so....

Just completed 10 shows in 11 days, including full PA setup/tear down for most shows, and I came out of the week doing just fine, in terms of fingers and general joint health. Tired, but no cramping/aching, and I attack bass and life the same way - with high energy and great vigor.
YMMV.
I wish you well.
 
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#10
I used to play from 2300 on Saturday until around sunrise on Sunday and my only problem was sore feet. These days, (late 60’s) I find if I don’t play some every day I will have problems with my left hand being stiff the next day, and rarely will begin to lock up late into a marathon job. If I go a week without playing at least a half hour a day, my left hand will be really sore after a long night of playing.
In a nutshell, if I don’t play regularly my left hand will act up and get stove up badly the next day if I get into a 4 plus hour job.
 
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#11
Old Ozzie Guy said:
3 gigs ago (about 5 weeks), I played a 3 hr open air "hot rod , custom car show". It was cold.. During the last song, my ring finger, on my left hand , went stiff , then bent unnaturally 90 degrees backwards to my hand.. NEVER happened before.. took 3 minutes to slowly "come back". Extremely painful. Iv played longer shows , in similar cold conditions, since, but ,thank goodness, it hasn't returned. I have started drinking electrolyte type sports drinks, not sure if that has helped, but I'm scared to not keep drinking. I should add, im OLD, and all sorts of weird physical stuff is occasionally happening . Good luck Mate,
I hope u find a fix , that works for u
Click to expand...
Thanks!
 
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#12
jTrolt said:
Hope I don't get chastised by the "supplement police" again, but what I've been told and been using for joint health for decades is fish oil. Of course, decent hydration as well, but at age 57, I have less cramping, aches and issues than when I was half this age.
Can I attribute it to the supplements? Not scientifically, but hey, it's a cheap remedy, and as I understand it, the benefits are a bit of lube for the joints as well as anti-inflammatory agent. I also take other joint health supplements, but just mentioning them got me a lecture last time, so....

Just completed 10 shows in 11 days, including full PA setup/tear down for most shows, and I came out of the week doing just fine, in terms of fingers and general joint health. Tired, but no cramping/aching, and I attack bass and life the same way - with high energy and great vigor.
YMMV.
I wish you well.
Click to expand...
Thank you!
 
#13
IMG_1183.jpeg
 
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#15
I’ve had these issues before , here’s what helps me

- Practice at least 30 minutes a day every day (on light days), usually an hour is best (for normal days), this builds stamina
- stop drinking alcohol and hydrate yourself, bring your own water if the venues don’t supply enough (the one free bottled water isn’t enough)
- eat more potassium (orange juice; banana, supplement, etc)
- always get 8 or more hours of sleep a night, proper rest is needed
- strength exercises like the picture someone posted are helpful, I also use a physical therapy hand web that you stick your fingers in and stretch OUT, bass playing has you contracting your hands a lot, this does the opposite and that helps counteract that (links below)

 
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#18
I’ve had the same problem. I thought it might be lack of hydration. Mr. Dr. said not likely and said it was probably a magnesium deficiency. He recommended “chelated” magnesium. I get it on Amazon and I have not had a problem since.
1723872512830.jpeg
 
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#19
markjazzbassist said:
I’ve had these issues before , here’s what helps me

- Practice at least 30 minutes a day every day (on light days), usually an hour is best (for normal days), this builds stamina
- stop drinking alcohol and hydrate yourself, bring your own water if the venues don’t supply enough (the one free bottled water isn’t enough)
- eat more potassium (orange juice; banana, supplement, etc)
- always get 8 or more hours of sleep a night, proper rest is needed
- strength exercises like the picture someone posted are helpful, I also use a physical therapy hand web that you stick your fingers in and stretch OUT, bass playing has you contracting your hands a lot, this does the opposite and that helps counteract that (links below)

Click to expand...
Great tips, thanks!
 
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