Double Bass Ingrowing fingernail? Time off practicing?

[TopMarc]

Hi guys. I cut my fingernails before putting in a 4 hour practice session yesterday and get the feeling I may have cut my left ring finger nail too low as this morning it is extremely painful when I touch it and obviously even worse when I try and play. I hate not getting any practice in but would it be beneficial to give it a rest for a day or two or should I just play through the pain? Like I said I hate not being able to practice. Also I have a 3 hour rehearsal tonight (on electric bass) that I need to go to so I will be playing for 3 hours tonight. Has anyone else ever experienced anything like this? I don't want to make it worse by playing on it for too long.

Cheers guys

 

[Chris Fitzgerald]

Sounds like you have a bit of exposed nail bed. I've done this before. If it's as you describe "cut a bit too low" rather than truly ingrown like a toenail (which can get infected), it's more about the pain in my experience. On the DB, you can play more on the pad of the finger a keep the tip away from the string if you like, but I'd be more worried about the BG rehearsal where you're more likely to play on the tip. This used to happen to me when I played piano and it was excruciating. The good news is it served as a reminder not to do it again!

 

[Jeff Bonny]

Like Chris says roll your finger back using less of the tip. And for gawd's sake stop using clippers and get a file or emery boards.

 

[David A. Davis]

New-Skin® Liquid Bandage
Or if that's not available, super glue. No kidding, it works in a pinch.