Left Forearm while Playing Live!

[Godinho_EURO6LX]

Hey Guys

I play in a Metal Band (Lunacyst) in Bahrain, I've been playing Bass on and off For about 6 Years now.. When i Jam with my Band i can cover all the songs Fluently and with Energy at the same time Moving a lot. However when i play Live its not the same.

I could usually play the 1st and 2nd Song in the set really Well and My Left Forearm Starts Hurting during the 3rd Real Bad and I cant even Finger the frets Straight Due to this...My forearm gets Tightened ..I Do warm up before i play ..and the Bass Height is the same as im sitting and standing ..its only when i play Live i feel a lot of pain in my forearm.

Can anyone explain this or if someone has the same Problem?

 

[cliffburtonfan]

I find that sometimes my right hand tightens up when I'm playing live (I play in a metal band too). I normally put it down to being overhyped and really digging in. Is it possible that your nervous so you tighten up on stage?

 

[hypmatt]

I get this occasionally, my thoughts are probably that i'm subconsciously tensing my forearm without realising more than I do normally.
Only way I've been able to stop it is to stretch it slightly between songs

 

[Jasewiththebass]

Hi. I have the same problem as well as a couple of others. 1st of I blame the drummer as he sets the tempos of the songs and we know after a couple pints were all buzzing and I can notice. Its more live as I get shooting pains. The only think I can suggest is practice at a faster speed so your live show will be a breeze, I've been playing to a click and all ready it's feeling more comfortable.

The other examples are going to sound extreme as i have learned the hard way. I play in a metal band and the songs are all around 185+ bpm and live can go a lot faster.
I am on a course of anti inflamitries for my wrists and fingers. Played 5 gigs in 3 weeks and it was very painfully as the pills did not kick in as fast as I wanted. By the last gig there was a huge improvement. My cause to add to my crap health was a under active thyroid gland. Before that was suspected carpal tunnel. But every thing seems to be improving. I got my speed back up and enjoying playin a lot more. Hope this helps.

 

[Jasewiththebass]

Warming up is very important as well. Even my doctor who plays guitar stresses this especially paying in a metal band. I now make the effort to warm up before gigs.