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Left Hand Wrist Strain

Discussion in 'Technique [BG]' started by sean_on_bass, Jul 6, 2013.

  1. Jul 6, 2013 #1
    sean_on_bass

    sean_on_bass

    Dec 29, 2005
    USA
    Hello TBer's, got a LEFT hand wrist issue that i could use some suggestions on.

    I had broken my left wrist as a kid, and ever since it has never been all that good at the twisting motion. Simply put i can't twist my wrist as far without feeling a little bit of strain. If i aggravate it enough it might even get a little sore the next day.

    I can still twist it enough to play just fine, but when playing in the lower area of the neck i feel some strain there. As a result i play mostly in the middle of the neck. So my question is, do you all have any suggestions for arm placement, neck placement, or anything else that might help take some of the strain off? If a specialist could help, what type would i see? Fact is i am broke, so a doctor visit is a last resort for me.

    Much appreciated, thanks peeps.

    Sean
     
  2. Jul 6, 2013 #2
    kzr750r1

    kzr750r1

    Aug 12, 2011
    NorCal
    Strange Parallel universe...Going through the same thing here.

    I too have some old injuries from years of BMX, skateboard, go ped, motorcycle. Your not doing it right if you havn't biffed it on concreet or aphalt once or twice or three times ect ect...

    Anyway, shorten your strap and get the Bass up so your not flexing your wrist too much.
    Another thing to consider is string tension and also possibly scale length. Scale length deal for me is likely due to having some meat claws (stubby fingers, thanks Dad).

    I just started playing again with a band and was using a 35" scale with heavy strings tuned BEADG. Jamed for 5 hours or so last wee and already have some tendon and wrist strain. Some of it is being rusty but the heavy strings are doing nothing but making my hand and wrist hurt.

    Now that I notice the issue decided to retune one of my 4 strings to root of C and the reduced tension on the strings helpd alot. The guitars are using a drop C tuning right now.

    Doing the C tuning on the bass allowed me several open string notes that I didn't have with the B tuned 5. This helped a great deal at peractice last night.

    Funny part is I'm older now and thanks to this site I'm concous of these fine details to the point that the slab body on the Ibby bugged me with no forarm contour. :p

    So my suggestions... Depending on the songs your playing and how your tuning reduce the string tension. Adjust that bass up some more to keep your wrist streight as possible. see if this helps.

    Sean
     
  3. Jul 6, 2013 #3
    sean_on_bass

    sean_on_bass

    Dec 29, 2005
    USA
    Sweet, we're twins. I'll try messing with the strap length and see if that helps. It does seem a little easier when i have my neck tilted upwards toward the air a bit. Thanks for the tips bro.
     
  4. Jul 6, 2013 #4
    sean_on_bass

    sean_on_bass

    Dec 29, 2005
    USA
    Actually, this tilt thing is helping alot, thanks for getting me on that tangent. I'm realizing i might need a strap with a little more grip to it though, as it won't stay tilted up as far as i want.

    Probably doesn't help that i've been using the same levy strap since i bought my first bass 12 years ago.
     
  5. Jul 6, 2013 #5
    kzr750r1

    kzr750r1

    Aug 12, 2011
    NorCal
    Go with a wide suede leather strap. One I'm using right now is 3" or so wide at the shoulder so it provides some great support and keeps the bass locked in where you want it.
     
  6. Jul 6, 2013 #6
    sean_on_bass

    sean_on_bass

    Dec 29, 2005
    USA
    Awesome..adding it to the wish list.