Double Bass Just got a gig

[Slaphound]

Im joining a Rockabilly Trio band and we have a gig coming up in two weeks. Last week I developed a blood blister which hurt but not for very long. I opened up a regular blister that was developing on my thumb and I tore the skin off of it and its raw. I got a band aid on it now to keep it from getting blood on the strings. It hurts less then the blood blister did but I do have a band aid on it.
But I have to keep practicing and get my stamina and speed up. These guys are pretty fast and its not Phsycobilly. Anybody have any thoughts on how to get the speed up? I mean I just keep hammering away at it at breakneck speeds but I don't last long and the thumb does hurt when your slapping on it. So I'm gonna keep trying to not use it.

Just needed to share this here folks. LOL. No one else gives a poopie. LOL

 

[Don Hergert]

Most folks recommend not ripping open blisters -- if absolutely necessary to drain them, insert a sterilized needle just under the nearby still-attached epidermis and under the blister-skin, well into the blister area to allow a tunnel to drain the fluid out and relieve the pressure. This process should not hurt, if it does, the needle is too deep. Then leave this area of skin open to the air when not playing so it will dry naturally.

Then, before playing make a small pad of tissue the size of the blister and hold it in place as you apply a layer or two of duct tape or other strong tape covering. When done playing, remove this again to allow natural drying. The purpose of the tissue is to provide cushion, and also to prevent the tape from ripping everything open when you remove the tape.

I've seen folks use various liquid adhesives, like for example crazy glue, to produce a skin-like covering. If the adhesive adheres to the blister it will cause more damage and pain. If the adhesive dries brittle it will crack, leaving sharp pieces inside the wound. If the adhesive is not sterile, it may cause infection. Best to stay away from liquid adhesives on skin.

Lastly, if you're constantly getting blisters, especially after you've built up a proper set of calluses, it might be good to consider revisiting your string, setup and/or technique selections.

 

[Joe Nerve]

I can tell you what NOT to do.

I play in a wedding band and had a similar issue. I started painting my fingers with crazy glue. It seemed to work well as a quick fix, but over time made things much worse. My fingers didn't heal until I stopped doing that, started using Bandaides instead, and treated my fingers with kindness.

The only other option outside of that is to gamble $20 on a guitar glove. I DIDN'T do that because I thought it would really hinder my playing, but I tried them when I had an outdoor winter gig once and was pleasantly surprised.

Guitar Gloves

Final note. I also bought and used rubber gloves for any dishwashing or other cleaning I did around the house. My fingers had gotten pretty destroyed though from the crazy glue usage. Not sure if that would be necessary in your case.

 

[CaseyVancouver]

My experience has been, for me, it’s best to lance the blister and cut the dead skin off. In the first decade or so of gigging blisters were a problem. I play on. Tape or gloves never worked for me. I’ve never sterilized anything and never had an infection.

After a while it seems the fingers get used to the abuse of steel strings. I normally do not get blisters and have not had calluses for 4 decades. My pizz fingers skin is soft no matter how much playing I do. It not uncommon to play 3 full gigs in one day.

As for playing fast, you should try to get a lesson in with a really experienced slapper rockabilly specialist. He can show you his tricks. What he does may be specific to his strings.

 

[Slaphound]

My experience has been, for me, it’s best to lance the blister and cut the dead skin off. In the first decade or so of gigging blisters were a problem. I play on. Tape or gloves never worked for me. I’ve never sterilized anything and never had an infection.

After a while it seems the fingers get used to the abuse of steel strings. I normally do not get blisters and have not had calluses for 4 decades. My pizz fingers skin is soft no matter how much playing I do.

As for playing fast, you should try to get a lesson in with a really experienced slapper rockabilly specialist. He can show you his tricks. What he does may be specific to his strings.

Infection is what I’m worried about. I think a band aid or two will work on my thumb. That’s my biggest problem besides the speed. Probably could use a lesson.

 

[rickwolff]

It's too late for this now, BUT.......

I hadn't had a blister in YEARS. Then after 1 year+ of Covid down time (I never practice) I got a blister on my first gig back. I just let it run it's natural course and heal - I didn't play during that time.

Now, I am a BIG BELIEVER in Prevention. I have found one type of tape that works really well. Several layers of it provide enough cushion and get the abrasion off my fingers and onto the tape. This particular tape has little effect on either the feel of my playing or the sound. It really works for me.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00E4MK5VO/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[Sailfish]

What part of your thumb are you using to strike the strings? Back when I still had an upright, when I slapped I typically used the part in between the first and second joints, or just used the second joint, maybe I'm lucky, but the only time I've ever gotten a thumb blister was when playing guitars. When I slapped I tried to just get enough grab to pull the string back, when I full on gripped the string I was just waiting to develop a blood blister, so I guess I just tried to take it lightly and go a little slower until my right hand got used to the amount of "grab" on a string, best of luck!

 

[Doggie Hauser]

Are you slapping your upright with your thumb like a bass guitar???

 

[Slaphound]

I'm not trying to use the thumb. I get the thumb involved when I try to slap fast for a long period of time. I am slapping with an open palm and getting a little help from the thumb when I start to reach for the G and D strings. Mostly when I get to the G string. Yes. It's hitting right on the knuckle where you would normally slap an electric bass. I'm trying to adjust my technique so I can avoid hitting it.

 

[Keith Rawlings]

I'm not trying to use the thumb. I get the thumb involved when I try to slap fast for a long period of time. I am slapping with an open palm and getting a little help from the thumb when I start to reach for the G and D strings. Mostly when I get to the G string. Yes. It's hitting right on the knuckle where you would normally slap an electric bass. I'm trying to adjust my technique so I can avoid hitting it.

Try and keep your right hand thumb up like your doing a dog shaped shadow puppet. Your thumb can get painful on that knuckle there if it’s constantly hitting the strings a la Marcus Miller EB slapping.

As for developing calluses and building up slap speed check out these two threads. Lots of great info on here:

Callouses on Right Hand

Trying to gain some speed for the fun of it, song recommendations?

I hope these help you out. Johnson & Johnson Coach Tape and a good metronome are your friends.