wishface Posted August 30, 2019 Share Posted August 30, 2019 I think I may have overdone playing recently. Not pain per se, just discomfort when I bend it (right hand, picking hand). Any tips for relieving this? It' snot normally an issue for me, I have never played with my bass strung super high and my arm bent mightily the way some people do. I've always been cautious to avoid cramping it up. Anyway, how do people deal with this if/when it happens? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coilte Posted August 30, 2019 Share Posted August 30, 2019 Rest up for a couple of days to allow the wrist to recover. When you return to playing, revisit your technique. Make sure the wrist is straight as much of the time as is possible. Play for shorter periods at a time...i.e. don't over do it. The video below on safe technique is worth checking out. Finally, dont hesitate to seek professional medical help if the problem persists. Best of luck in your recovery. 🙂 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wishface Posted August 30, 2019 Author Share Posted August 30, 2019 I think it's because I had been practicing string crossing which I find necessitates a greater reach when plucking and thus wrist tension. I do try to stay on top of this, but probably should have taken a break more often. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coilte Posted August 30, 2019 Share Posted August 30, 2019 17 minutes ago, wishface said: I think it's because I had been practicing string crossing which I find necessitates a greater reach when plucking and thus wrist tension. I do try to stay on top of this, but probably should have taken a break more often. It is mentioned briefly in the clip I posted earlier, but here is a more detailed one on the "Floating Thumb" technique. No reach required from the wrist with this technique. Also, even when using a safe technique, regular breaks are always recommended. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuzzie Posted August 30, 2019 Share Posted August 30, 2019 Carol Kaye’s Technique is very repeatable and wrist friendly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coilte Posted August 30, 2019 Share Posted August 30, 2019 1 minute ago, Cuzzie said: Carol Kaye’s Technique is very repeatable and wrist friendly Agreed...but.. is she not exclusively a pick player ? I assumed the OP is a finger player. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuzzie Posted August 30, 2019 Share Posted August 30, 2019 13 minutes ago, Coilte said: Agreed...but.. is she not exclusively a pick player ? I assumed the OP is a finger player. True - didn’t know if the OP also used a pick, but the angle of her arm/hand/wrist is key and can be replicated finger style to a degree Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wishface Posted August 31, 2019 Author Share Posted August 31, 2019 (edited) 14 hours ago, Cuzzie said: True - didn’t know if the OP also used a pick, but the angle of her arm/hand/wrist is key and can be replicated finger style to a degree Fingerstyle (though I do enjoy switching to a plectrum at times, both valid techniques). I do lapse into floating thumb sometimes, but I'm not sure I'd want to commit to it. I like anchoring the thumb because it feels natural; the thumb exists as a counter when we're trying to pick things up. That translates when plucking strings. It serves as something to pluck 'against', if you follow me. Edited August 31, 2019 by wishface 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coilte Posted August 31, 2019 Share Posted August 31, 2019 42 minutes ago, wishface said: I like anchoring the thumb because it feels natural Unfortunately it is anything BUT natural, and can lead to potential injury problems. However..to each their own. They are your hands/wrists. 🙂 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wishface Posted August 31, 2019 Author Share Posted August 31, 2019 5 hours ago, Coilte said: Unfortunately it is anything BUT natural, and can lead to potential injury problems. However..to each their own. They are your hands/wrists. 🙂 Well, anchoring per se isn't bad since most bass players (I would assert) do it and they don't all suffer. So it depends how hard you play or stress your digits. Anchoring doesn't mean gluing to the pickup and contorting your hand. I move my thumb usually between pickup and a string. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coilte Posted August 31, 2019 Share Posted August 31, 2019 4 hours ago, wishface said: Well, anchoring per se isn't bad since most bass players (I would assert) do it and they don't all suffer. So it depends how hard you play or stress your digits. Anchoring doesn't mean gluing to the pickup and contorting your hand. I move my thumb usually between pickup and a string. No need to explain or justify your technique. Everyone is entitled to play as they see fit. 🙂 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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