• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Pain in left hand

mmmelatonin

mmmelatonin

Apr 29, 2025
89
49
#1
This hasn't really happened before but i've been playing a lot recently with like six performances in the past three weeks and a lot of practices so it makes sense I suppose. My left hand index finger has just started hurting today and I'm wondering if that's an issue with how hard im pressing? my strings are medium gauge so i already have to press pretty hard and i also do a lot of slides in my playing so i put my index through a lot lmao. the pain is like inside the finger like there are little needles pressing into it. just curious if anyone else has experiences this and if i should change anything about my playing to prevent it.
 
  • Wow
  • Like
Reactions: dbsfgyd1 and /\/\3phist0
#3
I do have nickels lmao but thats good to know. I don't mind it really i was just curious if it was an actual problem I should worry about because if it was a real injury that could affect my playing. thanks for the info!
 
#5
mmmelatonin said:
This hasn't really happened before but i've been playing a lot recently with like six performances in the past three weeks and a lot of practices so it makes sense I suppose. My left hand index finger has just started hurting today and I'm wondering if that's an issue with how hard im pressing? my strings are medium gauge so i already have to press pretty hard and i also do a lot of slides in my playing so i put my index through a lot lmao. the pain is like inside the finger like there are little needles pressing into it. just curious if anyone else has experiences this and if i should change anything about my playing to prevent it.
Click to expand...
Yes, give it a rest, play for shorter periods, drink more water, take an anti inflammatory.

Rest.
 
  • Like
Reactions: mmmelatonin
#6
I don't have a picture to show you but can tell you I've actually bruised joint of thumb at juncture to palm by playing my Sire P5 a little too enthusiastically for too long. I have low-tension flats on it and its set-up is excellent, it plays fast, but I can get a little too excited and use too much pressure if I'm not careful. I have arthritis and am almost 71 so these things happen, particularly if I'm learning something new and over-focusing, or getting sloppy. Heals up quickly, in a day or so, and then I am more careful going forward.

One of the reasons I leave my Ovation acoustic in the case is because it makes me ham-fisted if I play it too long, then things like this happen when I play the basses that don't require as much pressure.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Hues and mmmelatonin
#8
BassicJazzy said:
I don't have a picture to show you but can tell you I've actually bruised joint of thumb at juncture to palm by playing my Sire P5 a little too enthusiastically for too long. I have low-tension flats on it and its set-up is excellent, it plays fast, but I can get a little too excited and use too much pressure if I'm not careful. I have arthritis and am almost 71 so these things happen, particularly if I'm learning something new and over-focusing, or getting sloppy. Heals up quickly, in a day or so, and then I am more careful going forward.

One of the reasons I leave my Ovation acoustic in the case is because it makes me ham-fisted if I play it too long, then things like this happen when I play the basses that don't require as much pressure.
Click to expand...
im sixteen so i dont think it's quite the same issue as for you, but i suppose taking a break would be wise.
 
#9
mmmelatonin said:
This hasn't really happened before but i've been playing a lot recently with like six performances in the past three weeks and a lot of practices so it makes sense I suppose. My left hand index finger has just started hurting today and I'm wondering if that's an issue with how hard im pressing? my strings are medium gauge so i already have to press pretty hard and i also do a lot of slides in my playing so i put my index through a lot lmao. the pain is like inside the finger like there are little needles pressing into it. just curious if anyone else has experiences this and if i should change anything about my playing to prevent it.
Click to expand...
I have always had issues with inflammation, hands throb...I have been doing cryo and it has helped me immensely. We have a franchise near us called Restore, pretty cheap if you have one near you it might be worth trying for a month.
 
  • Like
Reactions: mmmelatonin
#10
spoton said:
I have always had issues with inflammation, hands throb...I have been doing cryo and it has helped me immensely. We have a franchise near us called Restore, pretty cheap if you have one near you it might be worth trying for a month.
Click to expand...
I'm sixteen so it's not really a problem with inflammation i dont think. thanks though if it persists i might consider.
 
#12
You might be surprised by how little pressure is actually required to fret a string, solidly enough.
I would suggest trying to lighten up the pressure, and use no more than it takes, to get a clean note.
The goal is to fret cleanly, with an almost completely relaxed and limber fretting hand.
Most all playing dynamics (hard-loud/soft-quiet), are up to the other (attack) hand.
I wish I would have learned to strive for this, when I was young.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Brandon Shea, Hectobar, One Way and 5 others
#13
eddybuzzard said:
You might be surprised by how little pressure is actually required to fret a string, solidly enough.
I would suggest trying to lighten up the pressure, and use no more than it takes, to get a clean note.
The goal is to fret cleanly, with an almost completely relaxed and limber fretting hand.
Most all playing dynamics (hard-loud/soft-quiet), are up to the other (attack) hand.
I wish I would have learned to strive for this, when I was young.
Click to expand...
This, this, this. Learn how to play relaxed and tension-free. It will not only help your pain levels, it will help your technique and musicianship.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Hectobar, JazznFunk, eddybuzzard and 1 other person
#15
eddybuzzard said:
You might be surprised by how little pressure is actually required to fret a string, solidly enough.
I would suggest trying to lighten up the pressure, and use no more than it takes, to get a clean note.
The goal is to fret cleanly, with an almost completely relaxed and limber fretting hand.
Most all playing dynamics (hard-loud/soft-quiet), are up to the other (attack) hand.
I wish I would have learned to strive for this, when I was young.
Click to expand...
yeah i know that's true and i try to do that but my strings are kinda thick and i do have to use a decent amount of pressure to get a clean note. i might be subconsciously pressing harder while im playing when i don't realise though.
 
  • Like
Reactions: One Way and eddybuzzard
#16
mmmelatonin said:
yeah i know that's true and i try to do that but my strings are kinda thick and i do have to use a decent amount of pressure to get a clean note. i might be subconsciously pressing harder while im playing when i don't realise though.
Click to expand...
You do not need a lot of pressure to fret a note. It can be done without even having your thumb on the back of the neck.
 
  • Like
Reactions: JazznFunk, lowdownbp5, Lobster11 and 3 others
#17
mmmelatonin said:
This hasn't really happened before but i've been playing a lot recently with like six performances in the past three weeks and a lot of practices so it makes sense I suppose. My left hand index finger has just started hurting today and I'm wondering if that's an issue with how hard im pressing? my strings are medium gauge so i already have to press pretty hard and i also do a lot of slides in my playing so i put my index through a lot lmao. the pain is like inside the finger like there are little needles pressing into it. just curious if anyone else has experiences this and if i should change anything about my playing to prevent it.
Click to expand...
I’m no doctor, but have a lot of aches and pains I’ve dealt with over the last 72 years LOL!! My lifetime of experiences dealing with this sort of thing usually is Advil, ice, rest and avoiding the activity that is causing the discomfort as much as possible until it calms down.

Give it some time to heal. If symptom persists you may want to seek medical attention.
 
  • Like
Reactions: dmt and mmmelatonin

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back