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Post subject: Soar Wrist
Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2008 7:08 pm
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hey, i was wondering if anybody out there has ever had a soar or sprained wrist from playing bass too long. right now i have it on my left wrist, and havent been able to play for the past 2 days.


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Post subject: Re: Soar Wrist
Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2008 7:48 pm
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BassTrippin wrote:
hey, i was wondering if anybody out there has ever had a soar or sprained wrist from playing bass too long. right now i have it on my left wrist, and havent been able to play for the past 2 days.


Well first of all the word is SORE. "Soar" means to fly.

I have had a sore wrist from playing too much. Many times this can be corrected by adjusting the position of your bass. Look at the best jazz and blues players. Most wear their basses high on their body. This is because it gives them more acces to higher frets, cuases less stress on their arm and hands and makes them a better player. Many of todays players wear their bass low because they think it looks cool. You should be wearing it in a position where it will let you play comfortably. You may have developed tendonitis or carple tunnel syndrome. in any event, you are better off not playing for a week or two.


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Post subject: Re: Soar Wrist
Posted: Thu Sep 04, 2008 9:08 am
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BassTrippin wrote:
hey, i was wondering if anybody out there has ever had a soar or sprained wrist from playing bass too long. right now i have it on my left wrist, and havent been able to play for the past 2 days.


I play my bass higher to about below my chest but not below my belly. I've asked my doctor about my sore left wrist, he said I might have carple tunnel syndrome. It's more work related with the pc than with playing the bass, but it's affecting my fun playing with the bass. Do finger and hand warm ups, move your fingers around before playing, play with some scales to loosen up the fingers when you start playing. I've found this helpful for me.

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Posted: Fri Sep 05, 2008 8:17 am
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Yep, wearing an instrument low to look cool is going to cost you in the long run.

First thing to do is warm up your wrist/forearm/hands by stretching, i even stretch the web inbetween my fingers. If you have access to warm/hot water run your hands and wrists under it before playing/practicing.
Some stretching exercises: http://www.musicianshealth.com/stretches.htm

Now for a big one...technique!!!! don't overlook this seemingly lame subject. "what!?!? i know how to play!!!" sure but your technique is whack.
I got hooked on technique real late in my playing...old bad habits are HARD to break...i'm not lying. After looking at what "proper form" is supposed to look like, my playing and fingering went through the roof!!! i wish someone would have told me this technique thing back in my teens.
Here's a guy; Adam Nitti, that has the best technique pages i ever seen or read on the web. http://www.adamnitti.com/lessons.shtml
The first 4 lessons are like a technique Bible...have fun!!!


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Posted: Fri Sep 05, 2008 4:40 pm
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Give your hands some rest ! and I read an article by Billy Sheehan that suggested the best strap position is the same as when playing seated . (I dont know if that was written correctly-english is not my first language)

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Posted: Fri Sep 05, 2008 5:24 pm
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jlarocho wrote:
Give your hands some rest ! and I read an article by Billy Sheehan that suggested the best strap position is the same as when playing seated . (I dont know if that was written correctly-english is not my first language)
I agree with that; my bass is basically in the same place when i sit or stand. The body contuor is right below my right nipple, i guess you could say my nipple rests on the body.
For me i find it easier to slap like aiming at my solar plexis (where your ribcage meets).
Then again i'm only 5 foot 6.5 inches (1.676 meters) :lol:


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Post subject: Re: Soar Wrist
Posted: Fri Sep 05, 2008 7:14 pm
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BassTrippin wrote:
hey, i was wondering if anybody out there has ever had a soar or sprained wrist from playing bass too long. right now i have it on my left wrist, and havent been able to play for the past 2 days.



Seriously, I was joking about the spelling error. My doctor suggested that I soak my hands in ice for about 20 - 30 minutes prior to playing and again after. This didn't work well because it caused stiffness in my fingers and wrist and I couldn't play very well until I warmed up. I took a few weeks off and things improved. I also found that taking a good over the counter pain reliever or drinking a few beers before I play has helped with relaxing the muscles. I never have problems when I play but sometimes I am sore the following morning.


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Posted: Fri Sep 05, 2008 8:25 pm
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All great info, and Aleve is your friend.


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Post subject: Re: Soar Wrist
Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2008 9:53 am
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Rockbassist wrote:
My doctor suggested that I soak my hands in ice for about 20 - 30 minutes prior to playing and again after.

Just confirmed that most Doctors don't know jack about instrument playing.
The ice he recommended was for swelling, he didn't take into account the "during" part, for that you need warmth to increase bloodflow, expand capilaries and whatnot...afterwards then comes the ice if needed.
A book for Bassists injuries and pain.
http://www.bassbooks.com/shopping/shopexd.asp?id=553


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Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2008 10:18 am
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I have been struggling with tendonitous in my left wrist.
(I think from my pc keyboard at work, not playing guitar)
I try to keep the movement as pain free as possible, but still use it.
Movement & exercise can equal more circulation & healing.
Go into the points of pain and it can also equal reinjury, more swelling, & prolonged heal time.

I am trying to build strength so laying off completely can be counter productive for me.

You can read my rant about it here in the Fender Lounge.
I am still struggling with it... sometimes worse than other times.

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Post subject:
Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2008 2:05 pm
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Throw that stinkin' GripMaster in the trash!!!
Do you want to play guitar, or be a Master at the GripMaster?
That GripMaster won't do jack concerning guitar or keyboarding.
Those 3 things (GM, guitar, keyboard) all work the muscles, tendons, muscle memory, and anything else in "3" different ways, all you've done is add to detrement not benefit. I did what you're doing in my teens...i even got one of the "Eagle claws" the martial arts dudes use...best thing i ever did was stop using that junk and focus more on what my hands were doing or not doing while on the fretboard.
It comes back to technique; you may have to workout variations of patterns to eleviate stresses on your hands.

I'll let you in on something alot of guys don't know and/or don't think about: your clothing...you can stop laughing now...OK, if your belt is too tight, if your shoes are uncomfortable or too tight, guess were the stress will end up? yep, in your hands...believe it.
Anything you can do to ward off stress anywhere on your body, will benefit duration.
You should look into that book and website i posted, snoop around you may find something you never knew before.

http://www.musicianshealth.com/stretches.htm

http://www.bassbooks.com/shopping/shopexd.asp?id=553

http://www.drkertz.com/bassistguide.html


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Post subject:
Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2008 9:32 pm
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I keep the action on my basses very very low..to the point where there is mild buzzing occuring on certain frets and bends up high which I don't do that often in the band. The trade off is I can play for hours and hours without getting sore. As far as where the bass hangs I play in an original alternative rock band based in LA..if I wore the bass up around my neck I would look like a dousche..so it hangs lower then it probably should for asthetics.


Anyhow when you get sore you need to stop playing until you heal or it will get worse. And lower that action...also smaller ga. strings can really make the bass easier to play..I typically was using 105's and have used larger..we play 1/2 step down and drop c# tuning. (yes..with 4 string fenders although I also have a few Musican stingrays in my aresonal, it's all about setup my friend..you need alot of patience or alot of money to pay techs).

But I am switching back to the 100s and using a Fender bass with active pups to bring back a little bottom end that I may lose from the slinky ga. And this might allow even lower action..at least in theory. I like the action low to the point that a matchbook cover can barely fit between the strings and frets.

On the topic years ago I was developing the signs of carpul tunnel..probably a combination of playing way too much..and my job which was wiring electronics and I used crimpers all day. A really good Chiropractor gave me some treatments..a foam rubber squeeze ball and a list of stretches and excersizes. Never had a reoccuring problem and it's been 10 years.

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Post subject:
Posted: Wed Sep 10, 2008 12:17 pm
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I only get a sore wrist from playing certain songs! And only then in my picking hand. I have found a wrist support or "Tubigrip" really helps. Doesnt look cool but trust me, really helps support and strengthen those wrists.

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Post subject:
Posted: Wed Sep 10, 2008 12:58 pm
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If it's only your picking hand then that's a differnt story. I have never experienced that personally and I use a pick 50% of the time..my fingers the other.

I imagine that similar to the pain I did experience in the past..certain excersizes can help..or in my case completley cured it. Might consider looking into it. Good Luck and hope it gets better.

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