I get water in my ears sometimes, like so deep it takes days to get it out. I think it has to do with your ear structure - I also have a hard time doing a somersault and staying straight while underwater.
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Do you guys swim?
- Thread starter lightninz
- Start date
Washing dishes then playing bass makes my fingertips feel tender (esp DB). Even does it washing with gloves. Maybe it's the heat.
Swam a lot in a pool when doing Triathlon training, and at the beach more these days, neither affect me.
Swam a lot in a pool when doing Triathlon training, and at the beach more these days, neither affect me.
Always swim, never do dishes. Well, rarely do dishes. Can't risk getting palmolive hands. Of course, that would probably get rid of the panty snaggers.
I've surfed and swam laps my whole bass playing career. (20+ years)
Never had a problem with it affecting my playing or calouses, even with getting wrinkly finger tips nearly every swim/surf session.
Never had a problem with it affecting my playing or calouses, even with getting wrinkly finger tips nearly every swim/surf session.
I can swim. But not for long as I am pitifully out of shape. By the way, do any of you know what's the best swimming technique for metal?
I only got callouses when I played upright. And thats only on the index. I swim whenever I can, grew in a tropical country, backyard is the Pacific. Trying surfing now, surprised its this much fun.
It ain't pretty but I can keep myself afloat. Doesn't affect my calluses none, and a little discomfort while playing ain't no thing to me
Yes. Not swimming is drowning...technically. We get a lot of that down here and the body(ies) doesn't reappear for hours and usually not where they entered the water.
Standing in waist-high water and jumping up 'n down is not swimming.
Riis
I used to sail my HobieCat for hours before weekend gigs. Salt water actually seemed to toughen my hands. The only problem was my hand would be kinda stuck closed from tugging on the mainsheet, and it took an hour of playing to limber up! 
after injuring both shoulders, the only reason i would swim is to avoid drowning, something i'd really like to avoid!
when i used to play in 3 bands, playing at least 4 hours per day 7 days per week, i had very light calluses that tended to peel off. now i'm only playing 10 to 15 hours per week, i have no callus on my fingertips at all.
when i used to play in 3 bands, playing at least 4 hours per day 7 days per week, i had very light calluses that tended to peel off. now i'm only playing 10 to 15 hours per week, i have no callus on my fingertips at all.
Also, neither do I. I am like a fish, except diving below about 6 feet is extremely painful for my ears, unless I wear earplugs. I used to be able to dive to 20+ft, but then something happened. I have no idea. The doctors don't see anything.
Some of you guys are killing me with your comments, love it. But this thread is very timely for me. Been playing off and on for 30 plus years. 30 years ago I got callisuses but occasionally they came of. Now that I am a lot older and have a regular gigging schedule, I have major problems with blisters on my right hand. I do play with a heavy right hand but at my age, I can't seem to break the habit. I had many of the same thoughts others have expressed. Showering an hour before a gig, washing my hands two or three times prior to the gig. Does this really soften the skin to the point of being a problem? I don't practice at home, and sometimes I prefer not to have band practice on a given week if we have more than 1 gig a week because I get blisters. Right now if I play 1 set with my normal heavy right hand I start blistering? What's the best thing to do?
I have a Celiac Disease (grain sensitivity) related condition that drives a rare form of Psoriasis that makes the skin on the soles of my feet and the palms of my hands tend to get thicker than normal. It has to be controlled with topical medications that are basically an acid that dissolves the extra skin. Immersion in the ocean also helps, so I do that a lot. It's a balancing act, and I can no longer consume beer, and limit myself to very little bread, or it gets in a runaway state and the skin gets so thick it cracks. Ouch.
It takes diligence to keep them healthy.
...But with it controlled, I can run barefoot on gravel and even upright strings never make my thick-ass fingertips sore.
It takes diligence to keep them healthy.
...But with it controlled, I can run barefoot on gravel and even upright strings never make my thick-ass fingertips sore.
I used to have a pool at my old house, and I would just get out in time for my fingers to be OK on a gig.
If I had a pool I would swim all the time but I do swim at the gym when I have time.
Also I have been playing & gigging for almost 30 years and I have never really had calluses.
Also I have been playing & gigging for almost 30 years and I have never really had calluses.
For part of my work, I sanitize lots of containers in bleach-water. Not using gloves, I can say that the bleach definitely wears down the thick finger-pads.
I wouldn't swim in this water, though
!
I wouldn't swim in this water, though
!
