Cramped/stiff left fingers playing live

[el murdoque]

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!

Food. Make sure you eat well, and not only five minutes before the gig, but throughout the whole day.
Burger and fries won't help.
I used to forget to eat on gig days, then cramming down whatever I can find (usually junk food) between soundcheck and gig.
This leads to cramps when gigging means more than standing motionless beside the HiHat - In my case it usually was around last song of the set or in the encore, so I could muscle through without too much worry.

I force myself to eat something proper and stay hydrated during the day, then there are no cramp related problems through the gig.

 

[Geogio]

There are three or four simple hand exercises the physical therapist showed me after a terrible broken wrist. And from time to time I use it because I get trigger fingers or I get cramps and my hand is in bad enough shape that I need all the help I can get. I'm usually running about 70% of what it used to be and bass is very doable with a 70% hand.

Shuffling a deck of cards as also a good remedial warm up.

 

[ultra60]

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!

This has happened to me several times. Left hand/fingers have cramped into a "C" shape. Right to where fingers locked and cramp running up forearm. Before the last gig I drank a large gatorade several hours before the gig. No cramps. Could have been dumb luck. I will do the same before the next gig.

 

[fearceol]

Spend a few minutes warming up by doing gentle stretches (search Youtube for hand stretches for bass) before you start playing. Do the same during the interval. During your gig, try to be aware if you are tensing up the hand.

Oh...and.. by the way...avoid gadgets like the one in post no. 13. These are for strength. You already have enough strength to fret a string. What is required is flexibility and stamina....not strength.

 

[hennessybass]

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!

Warm up before the gig.

Before you pack up to head out, play your Bass for 20min. Easy and SLOW. Play scales or something.
Make a little routine that incorporates all four fingers. Stand up in playing position.
SLOW tempo. Quarter notes at 65bpm.

This will probably look horrible on a mobile phone, but I use this a lot.
Play all the way up the neck until you run out of frets, then all the way back down in reverse.
Alternate your index and middle to warm up your right hand (or up / down with a pic)

--------------------------------4-5-6-7-----------------------------------------------------------------10-11-12-13
--------------------- 3-4-5-6----------5-6-7-8 -------------------------------------9-10-11-12----------------
---------- 2-3-4-5-------------------------------6-7-8-9-------------8-9-10-11---------------------------------
1-2-3-4----------------------------------------------------7-8-9-10------------------------------------------------

 

[fearceol]

Before you pack up to head out, play your Bass for 20min.

Agreed. Cooling down after a gig with either @hennessybass 's suggestion, or more stretches is just as important as warming up.

 

[Nuisance]

Do:

• Lots of Fluids daily
• Magnesium supplement Daily
• Advil before the gig if you REALLY have to.
• Finger stretches as a warm up before the gig.

Don't:

• Alcohol
• Junk Food

 

[jvalenzh]

Happened to me last year. It was hot day and I probably underestimated hydratation. I am drinking some mineral water containing magnesium and B vitamin on the day of gig now.

It was hot as hell at my gig, and I sweat like a pig! Thanks for the tip!

 

[jvalenzh]

supplement magnesium.

This one works for me.

Amazon.com

Thanks!

 

[jvalenzh]

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.
View attachment 7007478

Thanks!

 

[jvalenzh]

How were your monitoring levels? Could you clearly hear yourself when things got rockin? At gigs I play too hard (and get fretting hand/arm cramps) in an effort to hear myself better, when I need to improve my monitoring instead.

I actually could hear myself ok. It's just a high energy show we put on (GN'R tribute) so lots of movement and sweating!

 

[jvalenzh]

Do:

• Lots of Fluids daily
• Magnesium supplement Daily
• Advil before the gig if you REALLY have to.
• Finger stretches as a warm up before the gig.

Don't:

• Alcohol
• Junk Food

Great tips, thanks!

 

[jvalenzh]

Food. Make sure you eat well, and not only five minutes before the gig, but throughout the whole day.
Burger and fries won't help.
I used to forget to eat on gig days, then cramming down whatever I can find (usually junk food) between soundcheck and gig.
This leads to cramps when gigging means more than standing motionless beside the HiHat - In my case it usually was around last song of the set or in the encore, so I could muscle through without too much worry.

I force myself to eat something proper and stay hydrated during the day, then there are no cramp related problems through the gig.

Makes sense, thanks!

 

[jvalenzh]

This has happened to me several times. Left hand/fingers have cramped into a "C" shape. Right to where fingers locked and cramp running up forearm. Before the last gig I drank a large gatorade several hours before the gig. No cramps. Could have been dumb luck. I will do the same before the next gig.

Thanks, the rhythm guitarist told me that too.

 

[jvalenzh]

Spend a few minutes warming up by doing gentle stretches (search Youtube for hand stretches for bass) before you start playing. Do the same during the interval. During your gig, try to be aware if you are tensing up the hand.

Oh...and.. by the way...avoid gadgets like the one in post no. 13. These are for strength. You already have enough strength to fret a string. What is required is flexibility and stamina....not strength.

Got it, thanks!

 

[jad]

When it's my plucking hand that is wearing out, which is a more common thing for me, I turn up and play softer, more relaxed. Sounds like you work hard to put on a show. Got any videos up?

 

[jvalenzh]

When it's my plucking hand that is wearing out, which is a more common thing for me, I turn up and play softer, more relaxed. Sounds like you work hard to put on a show. Got any videos up?

Thanks, yeah when I play finger style and my right hand gets tired I'd turn up. But here it's all pick. Here's a video. You can actually see me in the first song in the back trying to stretch my left fingers before I start...