Strength exercises for plucking hand?

[fretlessman71]

So before you read this, 1) I did search and didn't really find anything I didn't already know, and 2) I know that strength in the plucking hand isn't what most players require; it's a lighter touch that gets them where they want to go.

My situation is a bit different.

MS is causing my right hand to curl up like a dead bug when I get too hot or overexert myself (which, to be honest, doesn't take much). So I'm trying to come up with exercises that allow me to strengthen the fingers on my plucking hand, to be able to push through the fatigue when it rears its ugly head.

My doctors are no help at all. So I'm asking TB.

If you have any good exercises that allow you to add strength to your plucking hand that involve playing my bass (meaning other than putting rubber bands on my fingers and such), I'd be much obliged if you'd post them here. Many thanks in advance.

PS: I wonder if I'm the only TBer with MS....? Drop me a line if you're of a like mind and such.

 

[fretlessman71]

Bump. Boy, if I had a nickel for every thread I started that no one responded to, I'd have a roll of nickels...

 

[CerealKiller]

I don't know about MS, but check out this lady who has Lupus....

http://www.youtube.com/user/emusedone

As far as finger strength, maybe one of those grippers from a sports store would help....dunno....

 

[John Wentzien]

Here you go!

 

[wld3]

I've never really thought these had much useful application for most of us but, for your specific situation, it may. I honestly don't know but I think it's worth a mention.

http://www.amazon.com/Gripmaster-Exerciser-Tension-9-Pounds-Finger/dp/B0006GCBL4

Note: There are several models with varying tension.

 

[phat daddy]

Play every day, as much as you can stand and make time for. I've got a pretty strong right hand and while I don't have MS, my hands were fairly "dainty" when I started to play the bass. Whenever one of my students ask about right hand duration exersices, I tell them the same thing and I won't treat you any different unless you specify that you want me to:

Play as much as you possibly can. All it takes is reps, like working any other muscle.

Hope that helps.

 

[steve66]

I agree with phat daddy. The best practice is playing

 

[Susie Flenniken]

I don't know about MS, but check out this lady who has Lupus....

http://www.youtube.com/user/emusedone

As far as finger strength, maybe one of those grippers from a sports store would help....dunno....

Hi! This is emusedone. I just saw this post from 2005! Thank you for the shout out! My lupus and ther autoimmune diseases are a pain. I hope the original poster is doing well. MS sucks.

 

[Jeff Hughes]

Is the assumption that you want to exercise digits but you aren’t able to play bass all day?

I would wire up a double toggle light switch in an outlet box, no wires obviously, and exercise by flicking them back and forth or off and on.

 

[chris_b]

Maybe develop your thumb technique, and alternate with regular plucking?

 

[fretlessman71]

Hi everyone. Unfortunately my MS has progressed way beyond the issues described in the OP. The issue isn't strength but signal; in other words, the muscles are fine, but the nerve wiring is nearly shot. I am totally forced to use a pick to play now; I clamp it into my right hand, and use my wrist and arm to pick. But thanks to all for the responses.

 

[Susie Flenniken]

So before you read this, 1) I did search and didn't really find anything I didn't already know, and 2) I know that strength in the plucking hand isn't what most players require; it's a lighter touch that gets them where they want to go.

My situation is a bit different.

MS is causing my right hand to curl up like a dead bug when I get too hot or overexert myself (which, to be honest, doesn't take much). So I'm trying to come up with exercises that allow me to strengthen the fingers on my plucking hand, to be able to push through the fatigue when it rears its ugly head.

My doctors are no help at all. So I'm asking TB.

If you have any good exercises that allow you to add strength to your plucking hand that involve playing my bass (meaning other than putting rubber bands on my fingers and such), I'd be much obliged if you'd post them here. Many thanks in advance.

PS: I wonder if I'm the only TBer with MS....? Drop me a line if you're of a like mind and such.

Hi, I don't have MS, I have Lupus, scleroderma and the degenerative arthritis that has caused my fingers and hands to curl up too, sometimes fingers locking up while playing bass. Very painful but I love the bass so you do whatever you can, like you. I used to only be able to play with one finger and maybe a couple on fret hand. After years of trying advice from many helpful bassists and struggling (it was all excellent advice but.....) I realized that unless you have the same disease or issues as I have and are pretty limited in what you can actually do, then the advice didn't work for me. I just adapted how I played the bass so I could play it. Looks weird but works for me. Lots of practice. It became a matter of not caring HOW it looked and more about IF it worked for me, the bass line I was playing, the tone and timing. I know what it feels like, the fatigue, pain. I just play what I can when I can and try not to get discouraged. Before I knew it I had figured some songs out that I never thought I'd be able to by sheer determination as I'm sure you have as well! I started my YouTube channel and got great advice there through the years. Good Luck and keep playing. I hope all is well this is an old post but I wanted to comment.

 

[dreamadream99]

You don’t need strength in your plucking hand. Quite the opposite in fact — you need finesse. You have to learn to conserve your energy. Play smarter not harder.

 

[DrBnz]

I dunno.... Finger picks like the banjo players use may be helpful.

 

[JonathanPDX]

Hi everyone. Unfortunately my MS has progressed way beyond the issues described in the OP. The issue isn't strength but signal; in other words, the muscles are fine, but the nerve wiring is nearly shot. I am totally forced to use a pick to play now; I clamp it into my right hand, and use my wrist and arm to pick. But thanks to all for the responses.

How is your left hand strength? I have developed arthritis (20+ years of gigging) which I know is a totally different issue, but I find it helps a lot to spread the burden equally between both hands. If you haven't already, try very light strings, set the action as low as possible, and practice with only the left hand. You can add a hair scrunchie around the neck to help mute the open strings, too.

 

[two fingers]

I listen to a lot of audio books and podcasts on fitness. I recently heard something on a podcast that makes sense. "Work out what you're going to do." In other words, you don't need to run for days if you're an offensive lineman. Running won't help you. You need to work your muscles.

As such, a stress ball will help. And playing kind of hard when you practice will also help.

That said, I took an extra 20 years to get around to learning how to play with a pick. Now that I can, I love it. There are so many useful sounds I can coax out of my basses with a pick. These days I'm about half and half fingers to pick. That may be an arrow you'll want in your quiver at some point.

 

[fretlessman71]

How is your left hand strength? I have developed arthritis (20+ years of gigging) which I know is a totally different issue, but I find it helps a lot to spread the burden equally between both hands. If you haven't already, try very light strings, set the action as low as possible, and practice with only the left hand. You can add a hair scrunchie around the neck to help mute the open strings, too.

My left hand is insanely strong and agile. It's the only appendage I have that does everything it is asked to do. I can (and have had to) play an entire set with nothing but hammer-ons from the left while I lightly mute the strings at the bridge with an all-but-useless right hand (this happens when I get too warm or too cold, which doesn't take much). When things - and temps - are optimal, my left hand mutes the open strings very well.

I do use very light strings - generally in the area of 35-95 - but since I have gravitated towards using a pick, I prefer the action to be a bit stiff for the tone I want (I don't care for the modern "fret-buzz-is-okay" tone much).

As far as picks go, I started using a Dava Grip Tip and turning it around so the rubber side strikes the strings. Finger tone and articulation - incredible! The rubber doesn't last very long though, even on my semi-flat strings. Might have to see if I can buy these in a gross or something for a bulk discount, and then finding people who want the picks after I'm done shredding the corners...

 

[fretlessman71]

You don’t need strength in your plucking hand. Quite the opposite in fact — you need finesse. You have to learn to conserve your energy. Play smarter not harder.

Absolutely true. It's not really strength I lack; it's neural control. It's like having a terrific remote for your television with almost-dead batteries, and no way to replace them.

 

[fretlessman71]

For those interested, here's a recent article on my condition:

Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis (SPMS) | MS News Today

 

[DavidEdenAria]

My left hand is insanely strong and agile. It's the only appendage I have that does everything it is asked to do. I can (and have had to) play an entire set with nothing but hammer-ons from the left while I lightly mute the strings at the bridge with an all-but-useless right hand (this happens when I get too warm or too cold, which doesn't take much). When things - and temps - are optimal, my left hand mutes the open strings very well.

I do use very light strings - generally in the area of 35-95 - but since I have gravitated towards using a pick, I prefer the action to be a bit stiff for the tone I want (I don't care for the modern "fret-buzz-is-okay" tone much).

As far as picks go, I started using a Dava Grip Tip and turning it around so the rubber side strikes the strings. Finger tone and articulation - incredible! The rubber doesn't last very long though, even on my semi-flat strings. Might have to see if I can buy these in a gross or something for a bulk discount, and then finding people who want the picks after I'm done shredding the corners...

Try 'Micks Picks', which is a synthetic sort of felt but stiffer and available in different thicknesses....i sand the edges down a bit to get a softer attack but these are durable and very easy to hang onto but i think i will order some of the Dava Grip Tips, thanks for the heads up!

I have similar symptoms at age 62....my Dr has put me on Gabapentin for nerve pain which in my case is diabetes and wear and tear arthritis but nerve damage....lots of folks take it...Steven Tyler of Aerosmith says it has saved his career and other pros take it as well...i know what you are going thru is a challenge.

Oh make sure you are warmed up...i make sure hands are not cold and i do use rubber bands to keep my fingers stretched both FULLY in and outward 'without pushing into pain, so go easy on the rubber bands...rubber balls made it worse for me as did other things....you dont need much tension with rubber bands to get things stretched out....go easy and good luck, dont feel alone as many are having similar issues.