Double Bass Restoring hand endurance and preventing hand injuries.

[james condino]

Right now you are essentially an athlete training for a big competition. Nobody trains the same way every day. Mix it up: some heavy days, followed by light days, a rest every three days. Rest days on your bass don't do any good if you spend five hours at the gym or in boxing class or mountain biking. Go through your entire practice session without holding the bass, but concentrate as though you are playing. Remember to have fun & turn off your computer!

 

[Paps]

Mr AG Curry hit the nail on the head; take your time.
Cut down on the hours and concentrate on relaxed practice. You'll be amazed at how quickly you progress.
Keep physically fit, take B complex vitamins and make sure you're not low in Iron or have early type 2 diabetes.
Potassium can help if cramping; Bananas, Tomatoes. But it is unlikely to be a medial issue.
The one activity which wrecks my bass playing is clipping the hedge with a petrol hedge trimmer but this is a right hand issue. Stamina comes gradually, and whenever you feel pain, stop.
I have engaged in intellectual pursuits where frantic cramming can be beneficial. I have tried this with Double Bass, but it doesn't seem to work like that.
What I have come to believe is that Double Bass technique and learning is a process, which involves much more than just your brain. No matter how many hours you practice beyond an optimum, you will not improve more quickly. But a relaxed few hours a day will bring you on much more quickly than you realise.
It's not a sprint but a marathon and wait for weeks rather than days to see real signs of progress.
You can also do a lot of this work away from the Bass, like memorising pieces and scales and fingerings.
Concentrate on tone, tuning, proper posture etc and, I'll say it one more time..RELAXATION.
Do the audition, but accept the level you are at, continue to practice consistently and by the time the next one comes around you'll nail it!
Keep us updated.

 

[Andy Mopley]

Mr AG Curry hit the nail on the head; take your time.
Cut down on the hours and concentrate on relaxed practice. You'll be amazed at how quickly you progress.
Keep physically fit, take B complex vitamins and make sure you're not low in Iron or have early type 2 diabetes.
Potassium can help if cramping; Bananas, Tomatoes. But it is unlikely to be a medial issue.
The one activity which wrecks my bass playing is clipping the hedge with a petrol hedge trimmer but this is a right hand issue. Stamina comes gradually, and whenever you feel pain, stop.
I have engaged in intellectual pursuits where frantic cramming can be beneficial. I have tried this with Double Bass, but it doesn't seem to work like that.
What I have come to believe is that Double Bass technique and learning is a process, which involves much more than just your brain. No matter how many hours you practice beyond an optimum, you will not improve more quickly. But a relaxed few hours a day will bring you on much more quickly than you realise.
It's not a sprint but a marathon and wait for weeks rather than days to see real signs of progress.
You can also do a lot of this work away from the Bass, like memorising pieces and scales and fingerings.
Concentrate on tone, tuning, proper posture etc and, I'll say it one more time..RELAXATION.
Do the audition, but accept the level you are at, continue to practice consistently and by the time the next one comes around you'll nail it!
Keep us updated.

Like I may have said in the past...neither a sprint or a marathon, but a journey of discovery. Be grateful for what you learn everyday.

 

[Derek Kay]

Eventually I learnt to finger the strings with the more of the weight of my arm and shoulder. I stopped using my hand as a clamp so much. Try fingering without using your thumb to teach yourself.

I found a German style bow less stressful on my right hand than a French style. The twist of the wrist produced more bow pressure easier, although that style also introduced other disadvantages.

 

[ProbablyTooLoud]

Hey OP can you report on the audition?
Reading this thread I got so curious.
It's been about month since the day huh?
Got any perspective?