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Left hand keeps cramping

ragetoca

ragetoca

Joe
Sep 16, 2013
1,200
1,980
Georgia
#1
Occasionally I play bass with an artist and his sets are at least an hour long, with very fast paced songs. The last 2 gigs my left hand has been bothering me a lot, cramping and specially my pinky gets overworked. I have been playing bass for almost 30 years and this has never happened before. I don't have bad technique but I think I need to start stretching and strengthening my left hand more, daily.

Anything you would suggest?
 
#4
Killing Floor said:
What kind of beer do you drink at gigs? All beer has chromium and manganese but some more than others. That’s why pretty much every successful endurance athlete has a beer after a race. Reduces cramping. Or stretch. Or both. The Stu Hamm stretch routine is pure evil but it works.
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Water with no ice and lime for me lol

I will look at the Stu hamm routine. Thanks
 
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#7
1. More potassium will help with the cramping. Avocado. Bananas. Butternut squash.
2. You could try the old classical pianists trick. Soak your hands and forearms in warm water for a few minutes right before each gig.
 
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#9
HowieD72 said:
Dehydration or low magnesium.
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+1 on this. OP, just keep bottle of water close and drink a little after every song. You can also add electrolytes to water, pharmacy sells them. Bannana helps with magnesium level.
I played wedding with one 4 hour long set couple of days ago. Toward the end, I got small cramp in my fretting hand because I forgot to keep bottle close by. Drank half a liter between songs and it was gone in seconds.
 
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#12
This is the first thread I've seen on this topic where people weren't talking about surgery. I had a cramp last year during a 3.5 hour show. A guitar player friend of mine had it a few months earlier. My left-hand index finger shot straight out and it was weird bending it back into shape! It is apparently called "trigger finger". For sure, all the advice here is better than surgery! Stretching, avoiding (or at least being attentive of) fatigue, hydration, eating... it all seems be to relevant.
 
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#13
What bass are you playing? I had this issue when playing repetitive lines in the first position some years ago and realised it was my bass's unergonomic design. I was playing a 5-string Warwick Thumb with a tiny body, putting the headstock in the next postcode. It also had a massive baseball bat of a neck that probably didn't help. That said, I never really took advantage of the alternate positions a 5-string offers, I just played it like a 4 string with a few lower notes.

I'm more conscious about ergonomics these days when choosing a bass and I no longer have this issue.

Whilst I still like chunky necks, I avoid huge necks. I've also discovered I can't get on with wide/thin necks either - I had an Attitude Standard with a very thin neck (nothing like the Attitude LTD) and the cramping came back, albeit not as bad.
 
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#14
Mojo34 said:
This is the first thread I've seen on this topic where people weren't talking about surgery. I had a cramp last year during a 3.5 hour show. A guitar player friend of mine had it a few months earlier. My left-hand index finger shot straight out and it was weird bending it back into shape! It is apparently called "trigger finger". For sure, all the advice here is better than surgery! Stretching, avoiding (or at least being attentive of) fatigue, hydration, eating... it all seems be to relevant.
Click to expand...
For some people, wrist, elbow, shoulder issues can trace back to the neck/spine.

So, a holistic approach (stretching, diet, rest, stress mgmt.) is important.
 
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#15
I have some problems with my left pinkie as well as my other fingers due to chronic tendonitis and arthritis so I have adapted the Simandl technique to my fretting technique. When you use the pinkie, use the ring finger with it. It is a little awkward at first but it will soon become second nature in a short time. You will find that two fingers pressing down will ease tension on the muscles in your fingers. You may also be pressing a little too hard and don't realize it. This also happens to me when playing fast paced bass parts so I take a deep breath and try to relax my hand a bit. You may also want to consider a bass with a fatter neck as a skinny neck can cause cramping. Good luck.;)
 
#17
30 years of playing bass! Going to take a toll on your hand!

Very recently, I'm feeling numbness in my left 3 fingers..........from holding the damn cellphone too damn much! I put a stop to that! Starting to get my feeling back.

My advice, go see a doctor that deals with carpal tunnel. He'll probably give you excellent advice and some home therapy for your hand.

I hate to say it but many players of stringed instruments end up having issues with hand and fingers.

GET WELL SOON AND KEEP PLAYING BASS!

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