Is there such a thing as "bass thumb"?

[el murdoque]

With the information provided, more than one diagnosis is plausible.
Here's the problem with that:

One possible diagnosis: You're still a greenhorn and you got carried away because you could jam on your own. You employed way too much force in your right hand. Practice more, play more and see that you don't cramp up as much, you'll build strength and stamina in no time.

Another: It's something very serious. Do not, under no circumstances, continue playing and seek medical help before you make it much worse.

 

[wiscoaster]

It's the beginnings of arthritis..

Yes, that was my first thought as well, as I do have degenerative arthritis at the base of my left thumb, and I'm going to have surgery next month that may keep me playing playing for up to six months. OP, if your thumb pain recurs regularly after playing, please see a doctor. There are various strategies to alleviate the pain and stretch out the time remaining until surgery is the only and final option.

 

[Egg250]

Sounds like over use and possibly digging in too hard. Maybe a glimpse of carpal tunnel in your future.

Get your bass set up with the action set med-low or low. I like a low action, E string setvaround .062". This causes the strings to rattle against the frets when you pluck too hard. Forces you to use the amp for volume instead of plucking harder. Plucking lighter means faster, easier and longer.

At least this is how it works for me.

 

[MrLenny1]

I'm not a doctor but IMHO you played too hard & too fast.
As a noobie you have to train your hands for your instrument slowly.

 

[Jeff K]

It's the beginnings of arthritis. Your thumb being locked in one position is making your thumb hurt.

Mine does it. I deal with it.

Right where my middle finger is pointing.
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My thumb is used as a mute. It says in a similar position most of the time I play, so it locks up and needs to be stretched periodically.

Dang, Jeezy!!! I'm afraid your career as a hand-model might be over! (Sorry brother. I just couldn't resist. And not to worry. I won't be doing any modeling anymore either...)

 

[conttador]

I’m not a doctor but…

You only play one on TV?

 

[Low End Scum]

As a lot of folks have noted, it could be onset carpal tunnel/arthritis or it could be poor technique (or being green). If it happens again, I'd try and see a doctor. I have had thumb pain but it was from one to many drinks and slapping during a breakdown (and poor technique as well). Lasted about a day and was a reminder to not be such a goob. If you're a pick player you may be white knuckling the pick and tensing up when you're trying to stay "on".

One other thing about posture/form, be careful with your elbows. As a person that works with computers and plays bass, I found that resting my arms on my elbows at work in conjunction with playing bass (keeping them bent in the same position a lot) has led to my tendon that goes through the medinal canal getting inflamed. It swells and then I lose the feeling in my pinky and pinky side half of my ring fingers. If I raise and drop my shoulders like an aggressive shrug something irritates that nerve and there's a shooting pain up both arms for it. Thankfully I've been able to mitigate it a lot by not resting my elbows down on the armrest of my work chair nor if I play a video game. So just keep aware of your wear and tear

 

[DJ Bebop]

...................Bass Thumbs!................

 

[seescottrock]

You are either:

Locking your thumb while resting it on a pickup to get leverage on the strings

Or

Playing way too hard

Either way, relax your arms and wrists more.

 

[Kennoath]

Re seeing a doctor, they might have no useful advice for you about your playing style
... Unless you find a doctor who is a bass player, and you take your bass to the appointment.
But a good teacher will help! Take a lesson, either in person or a private online lesson. They'll help you out and it'll be useful.

 

[J-Bassomatic]

If you want a diagnosis your won't get it here. Go see a medical professional who will do a proper history and physical examination. Depending on what they find, maybe imaging or nerve conduction tests.

Pain is a warning. If this is bass-related you need to evaluate your technique before you do permanent damage.

I don't know @gln1955, I think you'll definitely get a diagnosis here.

 

[Geogio]

If you were playing finger style, then you've received plenty of good advice.

A couple of 90 minute finger style "shout choruses" at one those crazy dancin' revivals will take the starch right out of you. Building stamina, strength and resiliency takes time... as does marathon training.

 

[Watchootognbout]

 

[Nashrakh]

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My thumbs bend like that, too. It freaks people out! Sadly, it has no advantagious effects on my slap playing.

 

[Watchootognbout]

My thumbs bend like that, too. It freaks people out! Sadly, it has no advantagious effects on my slap playing.

That's because they only help when you play a fretless!

 

[TOOL460002]

I thought this was going to be about the advantages of a thumb that bends slightly up, but I have never had a plucking hand thumb issue, so...

1. Make Dr appt. 2. Get physical therapy reference to hand specialist. 3. Get diagnosed. 4. Get exercise regimine/advice. 5. Get better or don't get worse.

 

[edwinhurwitz]

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Nice to see Jaco pop up in a conversation about thumbs. But, getting back to bass related injury, when he was recording Don Juan's Reckless Daughter with Joni Mitchell, he discovered the sound you make when driving the meaty part of the base of your palm/thumb. Apparently, he shredded his hand but still had to do it. Eventually, he got a callous there, but there was blood shed in the studio.

 

[wiscoaster]

Kind of funny this thread should pop up in my alerts right now, because at present this is my "bass thumb":

 

[Slacking Zac]

I had this exact same problem! I still am working on it getting better. I blame it on both starting with an acoustic and not learning thumb muting immediately. I've since bought a thumb rest for my acoustic too. Essentially, no humbucker on the acoustic meant nowhere to rest my thumb, so I extended it way too hard. Then, when I got an electric, I had already developed the bad habit of my right hand thumb HAD to be as stiff and stretched as I could make it.

I've only been playing for like six month so I don't have a ton to unlearn, but I did go through the same thing in the exact same spot you're describing.

 

[edwinhurwitz]

I had x-rays and saw an orthopedist today. My bass thumb is osteoarthritis. It's with me for good, unless I get surgery, but that may negatively affect my ability to play. So, Tylenol 3 times a day for the foreseeable future and some pain. 50 years of doing this has taken its toll.