Flat necks and wrist pain

[melodiaopus]

I've been recently feeling this pain in my left hand since I switched to a 5 string bass with a rather flat neck. I had been playing on a 4 string for years, and it has a thick baseball bat style neck. I never had left hand wrist pain. Not sure if this is a common thing for people transitioning out of a thick neck to a flatter style neck. I'm not sure if it's technique issue or if its something else. It freaks me out because I really hope it not developing into carpaltunnel.

 

[Tupac]

Can you describe your left hand technique?

 

[aprod]

Make sure you have some curve in your fingers and not laying them falt across the fingerboard. Also point your thumb toward the head as opposed to having it perpendicular to the neck. Good luck.

 

[lowfreqgeek]

I easily go from a 4-string Jazz bass to a wide/flat 6 with no problems. Make sure your wrist is straight, not bent at a crazy angle under the neck.

 

[melodiaopus]

I think it really might be a technique issue. I've played 4 strings basses for the past 13 years and have never felt this sort of pain in my wrist. I equate it to the transition and technique of switching to the 5 string. I can't even describe my left hand technique because I'm not really aware of it since I'm playing the same way as I have for a long time.

The pain is right above the ball of the wrist and it doesn't hurt when I'm playing, it's after I play and start rotating my wrist, that's when I feel the pain.

 

[Matthew_84]

It sounds to me like you either exert some extra force to fret the notes, or your thumb is behind your fingers (such as in between 1 or 2).

Ensure your thumb is to the left of your index and fret as lightly as you possibly can. Lightening your attack, getting lighter strings, and lower your action will help with this

 

[unclejane]

I've been recently feeling this pain in my left hand since I switched to a 5 string bass with a rather flat neck. I had been playing on a 4 string for years, and it has a thick baseball bat style neck. I never had left hand wrist pain. Not sure if this is a common thing for people transitioning out of a thick neck to a flatter style neck. I'm not sure if it's technique issue or if its something else. It freaks me out because I really hope it not developing into carpaltunnel.

If it's causing you pain, yes, it's 100% guaranteed to develop into some kind of chronic problem, I promise. It could be CTS or worse, but the idea is pain in the wrist at any time at all is a) always bad and b) must be dealt with.

Technique adjustments are pretty much required when going to a wider neck. I transitioned from a 4 to a 6 string full time a while back (and I still go back and forth) and it nearly broke my left arm (again) until I figured out I had to change my technique.

The best default thing to do first is insure that your wrist is at least as straight as it was on the 4 (where you didn't have pain) by whatever means necessary. Hike the bass up under your chin, extend the upper horn 2 feet, use the belt sander if you have to, whatever it takes to get your fretting hand situated in a position of strength (that means straight wrist).

That's where I would start. If none of that works, it's time to look at replacing the bass with something that does fit you. But first see if you can get into a comfortable position and go from there.

Again, this isn't unusual or strange. Some adjustment is always necessary and, if pain is involved, mandatory up to and including replacing the bass itself.

LS

 

[Russell L]

Perhaps a rounder fretboard radius would help as well. But, sure, going to a wider neck will require some changes in techique.

By the way, I don't understand wy so many modern basses have a 9.5" radius, or even flatter. I still love 7.25."

 

[Matthew_84]

Perhaps a rounder fretboard radius would help as well. But, sure, going to a wider neck will require some changes in techique.

By the way, I don't understand wy so many modern basses have a 9.5" radius, or even flatter. I still love 7.25."

Different strokes for different folks I guess. I got a Warwick which has a 20" radius, and I couldn't play a Fender comfortably afterwards.

Edit to add: and by comfortably, I strictly mean the feeling of the neck, not relayed to pain or anything of the sort.

 

[melodiaopus]

I've gad the pain in my wrist for about a week. It didn't happen right off the bat, since I've had the bass for about 2 months. It's really freaking me out! My thumb on my right hand feels really sore too. I think I'm going to go back to my 4 string and get rid of the 5 string.

 

[melodiaopus]

My thumb in my left hand is sore, not on my right hand.

 

[mark roberts]

Take care
The damage may be severe if you continue
I wore a thumb supporting wrist brace for nearly a year and had to adjust my playing content. Still have to take care to this day
No more flat radius boards for me. Good luck

 

[boynamedsuse]

I have a similar problem in that my hand/wrist/thumb will flare up if I play too long with a bass that doesn't suit me.

In my situation, either shorter scales or narrower/thinner necks are the "solution." (I don't need both, but I do need one.) Since the change that caused problems for you was going to a 5-string, you might want to consider playing 5-string with a neck that is thinner and narrower than the norm so that it "resembles" your 4-string. The Ibanez Soundgear basses have among the thinnest/narrowest necks. You might give one a try (if that isn't what you are playing already).

 

[wrench45us]

I play sitting on the couch with slouching posture and reaching across the fretboard for notes on the B string I wasn't keeping my wrist neutral at all -- while reading music on my crossed leg, so slouching over the music an dthe frtbiard

so that and getting better so playing more and getting some new equipment so my tone improved and playing more and a few rough weeks at work keyboarding more while leaning forward in tension

all caught up to me -- sore thumb, sore write a tendon on my inner forearm definitely
tender. worse on my left fretting hand, but also there with lesser symptoms on the right wrist/thumb
went to my soft tissue genius and he worked on it for a while, but told me it's mostly a posture problem -- keep wrist neutral, but also keep upper body back and straight.The lean in/slouch is congesting the area under the collarbone and not giving those nerves enough open space. With this guy, the source of the problem is never quite where you think it is -- where the pain occurs, but he's worked wonders for me almost every time. I'm strteching that area and sitting straighter and giving it all a rest for a while.

 

[HeavyJazz]

That's why I got rid of the Geddy Lee bass.

 

[Aerynn]

Perhaps someone could take a pic of your left hand/wrist for you while you play? Pics never lied to me in revealing just how bad some of my habits were/are.
The idea of getting a five string with narrower neck (as in edge of the fingerboard to edge of the fingerboard, not top of fingerboard to back of neck) may help. I personally haven't had this problem but my 5 and 6 (both ibanez, which are known for thin necks) have as narrow of necks as string spacing allows, so I don't have to reach super far for the low B.

 

[unclejane]

Perhaps someone could take a pic of your left hand/wrist for you while you play? Pics never lied to me in revealing just how bad some of my habits were/are.
The idea of getting a five string with narrower neck (as in edge of the fingerboard to edge of the fingerboard, not top of fingerboard to back of neck) may help. I personally haven't had this problem but my 5 and 6 (both ibanez, which are known for thin necks) have as narrow of necks as string spacing allows, so I don't have to reach super far for the low B.

Here's my left hand down near the nut on my Bunny 6 (about 2" wide at the nut).

This is the absolute worst I'll ever let my wrist bend when I'm playing this thing. To achieve this, I hump the bass so high it calls 911 for a restraining order. It's not quite as bad in the higher registers or when playing the higher strings, but I do what it takes to keep the wrist as straight as I can when I'm down there on the B string.

There's no way I can play this one on the strap without a contraption to extend the upper horn about 4" to 5" (to replicate the seated position).

Some players can tolerate more bend than this, but for me this is the absolute limit (and I do whatever it takes to keep it at or below this).

LS

 

[phillybass101]

I say we're all different. I do not on purpose use the ever poplular 'pretty looking form' that most teachers teach. I play according to what it is I have to pull off. My left hand is constantly changing and moving not locked into that thing where you're not supposed to let your thumb come above the fingerboard and my fingers look like their posing on the fretboard. I play on wide flat necked 5 strings, skinny and flat 5 strings and a Geddy Lee Jazz and have no finger or hand problems. I've invested a long time in figuring out how I play or how I can play so I just laugh when someone tells me my left hand looks funny or my form doesn;t look good. I've been playing for 42 years without hand or wrist or forearm problems. Back and neck are different issues....poor posture etc. In the pick above the left hand is tense, and contorted, and has an awkward angle at the wrist.. Your thumb looks like it would hurt after a gig or an intense practice. You need to lighten up on all that tension and move your hand around to where the wrist angle is more relaxed and straight. Also get rid of that pinching action your're doing with your hand and thumb. Man wrap your hand on the neck and relax that area. etc etc.

 

[Hozay]

I can't comment on 5-strings or technique as I don't have the former or enough of the latter. What I do have is some recent experience with wrist pain.

Long story short, I just returned from my 40th high school reunion where I played bass in a band with the same guys as back then. Great players. I'm no pro, so I spent a couple of months in the shed getting ready. I play an old P-bass with medium heavy LaBella flats.

A few weeks ago, I started feeling noticeable amounts of pain in both wrists and, like you, started to worry, not only about the gig but about longer term stress.

I tried regular stretching and pain medicine but the relief from those didn't last very long. What finally helped was adding ice to the therapy. Icing my wrists a few times a day, along with double doses of Naproxen (Aleve), made a huge difference. I had no problem playing 3+ hours at the reunion, and I still feel a tiny bit of discomfort, but it's a fraction of its former intensity.

Best wishes for your recovery.

Hozay

 

[jon5252]

I have played EBG for 40+ years. I bought a new 5 fretless, handmade famous brand last year. After playing it for about a month I developed very painful tendonitis in both forearms and wrists. After visiting 2 specialists, trying all solutions mentioned in this thread and no relief I replaced the bass and the problem cleared up. I might mention I play a lot and double on DB. It could be the bass is just not right for you, as was my case.