Fretting hand cramps

[bassestkkm]

I used to have this problem when I was starting as well. Relax. Playing faster means we tend to tense up naturally, but watch anyone play fast and they'll be as relaxed as a freshly boiled noodle. You only need as much pressure as it takes to press the string down onto the fret.

I gave myself tennis elbow trying to press to hard on the violin fingerboard about a year ago. You should be as relaxed playing fast are you are playing slow. The speed will come naturally over time. But you have to be patient. Its not an overnight process.

I tried to learn YYZ about 6 months into playing bass and had the same issue, but recalling my piano practicing I took it slow and steady and learned all the notes and the pressure required to play them efficiently and then began to speed it up over time. Eventually I was okay.

 

[pbassjbass]

If I feel I'm using too much thumb pressure, I'll fold my thumb into my palm and run the riff (and some scales) a bit, while holding the bass and neck in place with my plucking hand forearm. This isn't an exercise I regularly practice, just a "reset", which seems to help me.

 

[perch]

On the right is the man who played bass on Billie Jean, Louis Johnson. RIP.
Note: headstock held high...

 

[perch]

Geez, OP, you could fit the end of a yardstick under those strings!!! That's just too much like work!

I was asked to sit in and the guy played a bass with action like that. One song was enough for me. I don't know how he stands it.

 

[FingerDub]

Even w the lowest action possible, Billie Jean is still hard to keep up on. Learn economy of motion and practice. Within two weeks you'll be just fine.

 

[ron berry]

Magnesium oil rubbed into your hand and forarm, amazing stuff, potassium deficiency does it too, being dehydrated. Yes, as a double bass player I totally get what you mean and even after years of playing both guitar and bass I still cramp up, shaking my hand out in small gaps in the music, changing the angles in the wrist, relaxing as much as possible, you still get cramped up if you have to play the same thing too many times in a row, get some melodic or positional variations in there you can pull out when you feel like it is the end, having a few easier or just different positions in the arsenal to go back to every now and again does wonders for your stamina.

 

[TYoungman]

Magnesium oil rubbed into your hand and forarm, amazing stuff, potassium deficiency does it too, being dehydrated. Yes, as a double bass player I totally get what you mean and even after years of playing both guitar and bass I still cramp up, shaking my hand out in small gaps in the music, changing the angles in the wrist, relaxing as much as possible, you still get cramped up if you have to play the same thing too many times in a row, get some melodic or positional variations in there you can pull out when you feel like it is the end, having a few easier or just different positions in the arsenal to go back to every now and again does wonders for your stamina.

Wow, so you still cramp up now and then... I am working on fully solving the problem and I'll see where it will go.