I'm 16 and have been playing bass for about 4 or 5 months now. I'm really into it and have been meeting with a teacher once a week (he's currently teaching me how to walk a bass line). The reason I'm posting is this because I have a somewhat rare condition called essential tremor, an involuntary muscle tremor especially prevalent in the hands/fingers (although I have it full-body). I guess I'm looking for success stories of people with this or similar ailments who've managed to become successful bassists or at least reach a high level of playing. Sometimes it's discouraging to think about how much better I could be if I didn't have essential tremor.
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Playing bass with essential tremor
- Thread starter weab00
- Start date
You play to the best of your abilities, there's nothing to prove. If you get pleasure and time out from the world from it, that's reason enough. Take it easy.
I don't think that far ahead, who knows, I live in the here and now weab00. And take each day as it comes.
Alkali Ike
Gold Supporting Member
- Jan 1, 2011
- 2,849
- 15,644
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- I never actually learned to play very well
If you Google “guitarists with essential tremor” you’ll get some interesting perspectives.
Scott Devine, of Scott's Bass Lessons, plays with a glove on his left hand.
I forget the name of the condition, but IIRC it's a neural issue that causes persistent tremors unless the skin is being touched by something.
If we're casting the net a little more widely, though, there are Tony Iommi and Django Reinhardt, who both became renowned guitar players despite having reduced functionality in their left hand
Tony lost two fingertips on his left hand in an industrial accident and learned to play with prosthetics, and Django's hand was badly burned in a fire - the third and fourth finger were only usable for chord work.
To be annoyingly optimistic about it, the way you adapt to this could turn out to be a (positively) distinguishing feature of your playing.
I forget the name of the condition, but IIRC it's a neural issue that causes persistent tremors unless the skin is being touched by something.
If we're casting the net a little more widely, though, there are Tony Iommi and Django Reinhardt, who both became renowned guitar players despite having reduced functionality in their left hand
Tony lost two fingertips on his left hand in an industrial accident and learned to play with prosthetics, and Django's hand was badly burned in a fire - the third and fourth finger were only usable for chord work.
To be annoyingly optimistic about it, the way you adapt to this could turn out to be a (positively) distinguishing feature of your playing.
Thanks man I appreciate the encouraging words, been kinda down cause of this lately but maybe it doesn't have to define my playing.
I was going to add the same reference to Scott Devine and the condition he has in his left hand. But I see I was beat to it.
My only advice is enjoy every milestone in your playing for yourself. If it makes you happy no matter what level you achieve than it's worth the time. Most of us will never hit "pro" level but the music we do make will give you personal satisfaction that you don't get from a job.
Rock on!
My only advice is enjoy every milestone in your playing for yourself. If it makes you happy no matter what level you achieve than it's worth the time. Most of us will never hit "pro" level but the music we do make will give you personal satisfaction that you don't get from a job.
Rock on!
+1 Scott Devine
Here is a video where he describes his condition.
I would recommend that you speak with your neurologist. Let him/her know what it is you are doing and ask if there is anything you can do to help yourself along. (It seems from my non-expert perspective that focal dystonia and essential tremors are similar disorders).
You stated that you are just getting started with bass. You are a musician now. Seek out other musicians, regardless of their experience and skill. Talk with them. You'll find a lot of people who are overcoming all sorts of issues and still have mastered their craft. I find that people who have to work harder to achieve things appreciate them more.
Here is a video where he describes his condition.
I would recommend that you speak with your neurologist. Let him/her know what it is you are doing and ask if there is anything you can do to help yourself along. (It seems from my non-expert perspective that focal dystonia and essential tremors are similar disorders).
You stated that you are just getting started with bass. You are a musician now. Seek out other musicians, regardless of their experience and skill. Talk with them. You'll find a lot of people who are overcoming all sorts of issues and still have mastered their craft. I find that people who have to work harder to achieve things appreciate them more.
I understand your frustration. I have MS and have a lot of things that go wrong at the worst possible times, including the occasional tremor in the right hand. I've been playing since 1983, and my diagnosis was in 2006. So I had about a quarter century of playing before I had to deal with neurological stuff that directly affected my playing. But I have had to re-learn how to do a lot of things with my "dumb" hand, like using a fork, a cell phone, a mouse, and TP. This leads me to believe that whatever your body is doing that you don't expect or control, there's gotta be a way around it. Now, constant tremors are harder to control, but if you think of how you deal with using a phone or typing or eating or anything else you're expected to do with your hands, these same concepts and strategies (whatever they may be) will help you along. The Scott Devine glove thing may or may not work; it's worth the experiment. I know there is antispasmodic medication which may or may not be for you. But your love for the instrument is what matters most; you will overcome your condition & symptoms in a manner directly related to your passion for being a bass player.
My biggest struggle is that my right hand has about 50% functionality now. The only things I can do with my right hand are type and hold a pick, and neither one of those goes very well; I type more with my shoulder than I do my fingers on my right hand, and I have to use a jar of "handball wax" (basically pine resin) to make my fingers sticky enough to hold a pick without it spinning around (individual finger motion is too slow and weak to be useful for bass playing). But I keep searching for ways to make things easier because I want there to be as little as possible between the musical ideas in my head and making them reality.
It's possible that with enough practice, you may overcome the tremors where your bass playing is concerned, especially if you start liking the sounds you're making. The brain has a way of rewiring itself in some situations; as young as you are, the odds are in your favor. So keep practicing, do your best, let your ears guide your hands, and above all, ENJOY yourself.
My biggest struggle is that my right hand has about 50% functionality now. The only things I can do with my right hand are type and hold a pick, and neither one of those goes very well; I type more with my shoulder than I do my fingers on my right hand, and I have to use a jar of "handball wax" (basically pine resin) to make my fingers sticky enough to hold a pick without it spinning around (individual finger motion is too slow and weak to be useful for bass playing). But I keep searching for ways to make things easier because I want there to be as little as possible between the musical ideas in my head and making them reality.
It's possible that with enough practice, you may overcome the tremors where your bass playing is concerned, especially if you start liking the sounds you're making. The brain has a way of rewiring itself in some situations; as young as you are, the odds are in your favor. So keep practicing, do your best, let your ears guide your hands, and above all, ENJOY yourself.
@fretlessman71, try Monster Grips silicone disks applied to your picks. A lot less messy, and they’ve helped me. Expensive for what they are, but they work.
I have it in both hands and I have it pretty bad. My right hand is worse than my left. The biggest difference between me and you is that I'm 62 years old. I've always had something going on with my hands. My handwriting in school was poor and as I aged through my twenties and thirties, it only got worse. Now I can barely write at all. If I eat food with a fork it has to be food that I can stab. I like mashed potatoes because they stick to the fork and I can get small vegetables like corn and peas to stick to the potatoes. I have special software on my computer that dampens my mouse movements and helps to prevent misclicks. Attempting to use the tiny keyboard on my smartphone is pointless.
In-so-far as playing the guitar and bass goes, I'm still at it. These control issues that I've always had has kept me from being a fast player forever. Shredding is completely out of the question. What I've been able to concentrate on is style and timing. You've heard Sultans Of Swing by Dire Straits. I'm Guitar George. I really do know all of the chords. Just kidding. But I have spent a lifetime being the best rhythm guitarist that I could be. I do know a lot of weird chords and love alternative tunings. As far as bass goes, it really does work well with my intention tremors. I know the scales. I can't name them but if you play me a melody I can pick the right scale to go with it. I am an In Demand bass player in that people contact me to sit in on their gig or go into the studio and lay down some bass lines.
Don't let your tremors stop you from playing bass. You may not be able to do something specific but think outside the box. Instead of hitting that root note don't be afraid to go after that third or fifth. I've learned a whole lot of bass tricks that make my playing seem better than it really is. Play as long as you enjoy it and never say that you can't. As old Oakie used to say "Can't never could".
In-so-far as playing the guitar and bass goes, I'm still at it. These control issues that I've always had has kept me from being a fast player forever. Shredding is completely out of the question. What I've been able to concentrate on is style and timing. You've heard Sultans Of Swing by Dire Straits. I'm Guitar George. I really do know all of the chords. Just kidding. But I have spent a lifetime being the best rhythm guitarist that I could be. I do know a lot of weird chords and love alternative tunings. As far as bass goes, it really does work well with my intention tremors. I know the scales. I can't name them but if you play me a melody I can pick the right scale to go with it. I am an In Demand bass player in that people contact me to sit in on their gig or go into the studio and lay down some bass lines.
Don't let your tremors stop you from playing bass. You may not be able to do something specific but think outside the box. Instead of hitting that root note don't be afraid to go after that third or fifth. I've learned a whole lot of bass tricks that make my playing seem better than it really is. Play as long as you enjoy it and never say that you can't. As old Oakie used to say "Can't never could".
I have tried them - they're not bad, but they're noticeably thick, and they make it hard for me to articulate difficult phrases. In a pinch, they'll do though! The "Select Accessories HandballWax" is nice because it's like Brylcreem - "A little dab'll do ya", so there's practically no change in thickness/feel - and I can apply it to my thumb & index, and then use whatever pick I want that day. It's like Gorilla Snot, but a more refined product.
Thanks man it’s great to here that your doing well on the bass in spite of the difficulties. I guess we’re all dealt a hand. I figure bass makes more sense for me than guitar since it’s more about timing/coordination than precise motor control, although yeah I do worry what will happen if it progresses or hitting a wall trying to play faster stuff
I am 68 and have been playing bass as a hobby for 50 years. I was diagnosed with an essential tremor a few years ago, although I’ve had it since I was 18 but didn’t understand why my hands shook. I take Primidone to help control it...one at night and one in the morning. Initially, primidone made me very groggy if I took the morning dose. So, I just take it at night and was thinking about taking 1/4 - 1/2 tab to work up to a full tablet during the day. But currently I just take it at night. Coffee will certainly exacerbate the tremor, but I’m sure you’re aware of that. My tremor is worse in my left fretting hand. However, it really doesn’t effect my playing that much. On slow passages with half or whole notes, I notice the shake some but nothing sonically. I think I’m fortunate in that my tremor is not too severe, but worry that it will worsen with age. I play a lot of jazz and in several ensembles prior to pandemic. I love playing bass and have since I was 16 and will always play as long as I can.
Let your passion drive your playing and try not to get fixated on the tremor...do the best you can and focus on the fun.
Let your passion drive your playing and try not to get fixated on the tremor...do the best you can and focus on the fun.
My neurologist said primidone was the first choice and to work my way up to full dosage per prior note. It does help and would help more if I worked up to full dose and reduced my coffee intake. You’ll only know if you try both drugs independent of each other.
It's possible. However, if speed isn't important to you in and of itself, there's always blues, reggae, dub, funk, doom/stoner metal, classic rock...
I take propranolol for tremors AND social anxiety. Works well, But not 100% for either condition. But then again my situation is somewhat extreme. Makes me a bit chatty !
