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Plucking hand woe's

mickeyj4j

mickeyj4j

Dec 5, 2006
256
43
#1
Hi all Bass players. I Have been playing guitar for long time but am fairly new to playing bass. After 3-5 months of playing i have found that i still get blisters on my plucking fingers.
  1. blisters happen, sometimes blood blisters.
  2. i take play a little less for a few days or use a pick.
  3. when my finders harden things last for a few weeks but then
  4. i get more blisters.
I have not noticed this when playing the guitar. I am wondering if there are any tricks or tips to stop this process, and toughen my fingers truly for bass.
 
#3
I would think you are digging in too much. Let the amp produce the volume, it is not necessary to attack the strings hard enough to do what you are experiencing.

I use my thumb (not my fingers). Might try a pick. If you try the pick I found the thicker picks work best with the larger bass strings. - when I pick I go with the Big Stubby 3.0mm. The Big Stubby comes in 2.0, 2.5 and 3.0mm.

Carol Kaye's is a pick user https://www.carolkaye.com/www/education/tips101.htm seem to remember she having several hints about using the pick at this site.

Good luck.
 
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#5
MalcolmAmos said:
I would think you are digging in too much. Let the amp produce the volume, it is not necessary to attack the strings hard enough to do what you are experiencing.

I use my thumb (not my fingers). Might try a pick. If you try the pick I found the thicker picks work best with the larger bass strings. - when I pick I go with the Big Stubby 3.0mm. The Big Stubby comes in 2.0, 2.5 and 3.0mm.

Carol Kaye's is a pick user https://www.carolkaye.com/www/education/tips101.htm seem to remember she having several hints about using the pick at this site.

Good luck.
Click to expand...
Thanks. I may be plucking to hard I guess. Not sure. I already have several stubby picks that I am using when my fingers get to overworked. I still find fingering gives more expression. Thanks for the link will check that out.
 
#8
Rune Bivrin said:
Not criticising, but curious:

You've been playing bass for a few months but have been a member of TB since December 2006?

I knew this community was special...
Click to expand...

Yes i know. I brought a bass guitar around that time. but it was a small samick Baby Bass, even short scale bass strings where to long for this one. so i sold it, and did not get another. Now you know. lol.
 
#9
Was wondering if anyone here uses finger/thumb picks with the bass.

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May get some and try. (I can't find anything about finger picks on bass out there. May start a new post about finger picks especially after i try them). If it works out it gives another technique to add a different sound as well as fingers, and standard bass picks.



 
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#12
mickeyj4j said:
Ok i thought flatwounds where more for Jazz playing and jazz bass guitars. mmmmm now you got me thinking more about strings. whats the difference i will do some research on the forums here and around the place. thanks.
Click to expand...

At this point, I wouldn't worry about the genre of music or the type of guitar that 'seems' appropriate only for flats. I only play with flats and play all kinds of styles as I can change the sound with my amp settings or playing style. You just need to play bass without being in pain or severe discomfort. If you're physically uncomfortable doing anything, you'll eventually give it up.

I play 2-3 hours a day with TI flats and my plucking fingertips have hardly any callous. No discomfort whatsoever. Since you're coming from guitar, you'll appreciate the flexibility of TI flats over other stiffer flats in my opinion.

They are pricey at $75 new (4 string) but they come up for sale a few times a month here on TB for $45-50 a set.
 
#13
It's fascinating to me how some people get blisters and some don't. I go absolutely hard on the strings with my plucking hand, and I've done that for years, even when I started and self-taught myself. It's a part of my technique. My ring finger is getting harder too after I adopted the RMI technique for fast riffs.

Don't let the blisters stop you. Just keep doing what you love.
 
#14
neckdive said:
At this point, I wouldn't worry about the genre of music or the type of guitar that 'seems' appropriate only for flats. I only play with flats and play all kinds of styles as I can change the sound with my amp settings or playing style. You just need to play bass without being in pain or severe discomfort. If you're physically uncomfortable doing anything, you'll eventually give it up.

I play 2-3 hours a day with TI flats and my plucking fingertips have hardly any callous. No discomfort whatsoever. Since you're coming from guitar, you'll appreciate the flexibility of TI flats over other stiffer flats in my opinion.

They are pricey at $75 new (4 string) but they come up for sale a few times a month here on TB for $45-50 a set.
Click to expand...

can't find Thomastik-Infeld bass strings here in New Zealand what a shame. Any other Flats you can suggest.
 
#19
IMHO this isn't an equipment problem, it's at technique problem. I also get a bit too aggressive with my right hand and get blisters and blood blisters. It happens to me mostly when I can't hear my bass clearly and I hit it too hard rather than get into a position where I can hear it better.

Bottom line, you and me both need to lighten up with the right hand.
 
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