[anirishlad]

Just to let you guys know im a lefty and im playing a lefty bass.

I recently got a bass with the aim of teaching myself how to play but after about five minutes i get an ache/pain in my arm-wrist from hitting the string?my right hand is grand its just my left, is it a posture problem?

[18AD]

Your wrist should be pretty much straight. Is it at an angle?

Otherwise you just need to slowly build muscle in your arm. Don't strain your muscles, but don't not push yourself, if you know what I mean.

Some basic stretching after playing could help as well.

[Rigsby]

Originally Posted by 18AD

Your wrist should be pretty much straight. Is it at an angle?


Some basic stretching after playing could help as well.

+1 to the above.

OP, I'd say your problem is to do with technique. A common mistake people starting out on bass make, is to grip the neck too hard, and press down on the strings too hard. It only takes a minimal amount of pressure to fret a string. To see just how much, try fretting a string without the thumb on the back of the neck. You should not need to press down very much to get a clear sounding note. Try to keep the hand(s) as relaxed as possible. Wearing the strap too low, can affect the angle of the fretting hand (it should be as straight as possible, as stated above). Having the main body of the bass at about belt buckle height is a good comprimise, as too high will affect the plucking hand.

Below are some You Tube links, which you should find helpful.

Good luck with it.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IeRoQuXlj9w



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRkSsapYYsA



BTW, as 18AD said, it is important to warm up (and down afterwards) with gentle stretches before even touching the bass. Below is another link for these.


http://www.youtube.com/results?searc....0.Rda0URR12c0


EDIT : Just realised that you stated you were a lefty, so you are talking about the plucking hand The clips and info above are still valid though, and worth taking on board. Here is yet another clip, this time on right hand techniqie.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPVMBPmrblU



Sorry about my mistake.

[martinedwards]

playing bass takes MUSCLE.

look at Paul McCartneys forearms.

50odd years of playing bass and he has arms like popeye!

this takes time to develop!!

[anirishlad]

Thanks for the advice guys im probably going to go seek out a bass teacher and get a few lessons just to get the basics completely right. I play the piano already though so would have thought my wrists would be able for the bass

[TEMPLAR KNIGHT]

I always find warming up helps me, just playing up and down the fretboard on different strings helps me before I play. Also make sure your left wrist isnt bent but staright. Theres loads of stuff on youtube as posted above!

[Rigsby]

Originally Posted by anirishlad

im probably going to go seek out a bass teacher and get a few lessons just to get the basics completely right.

Excellent idea, especially for learning basic technique. While video clips are OK, they cant point out if/where you are doing anything wrong. Only thing I'd say here is, make sure you get a BASS teacher, rather then a guitarist who teaches bass on the side.

[johnROSS]

if you're standing up, make sure you put your strap nice and short. Doing a Robert Trujilo and having the bass down past your knees because it looks cool can lead to Repetitive Strain Injury, and that is naaasty. (Especially for a piano player)

[Rigsby]

Originally Posted by johnROSS

if you're standing up, make sure you put your strap nice and short. Doing a Robert Trujilo and having the bass down past your knees because it looks cool can lead to Repetitive Strain Injury, and that is naaasty. (Especially for a piano player)

Wearing the bass too high is not a good idea either, as it can effect the plucking hand. A comprimise is what's called for.

[anirishlad]

Just an update

I still get the pain but it takes longer now i have really thin wrists though so it probably is just a case of building muscle.I could'nt find a bass teacher around my area so im still self-teaching,just broke a E string guess its just the rites of passage of playing a bass

[Rigsby]

Originally Posted by anirishlad

Just an update

I still get the pain but it takes longer now i have really thin wrists though so it probably is just a case of building muscle.I could'nt find a bass teacher around my area so im still self-teaching,just broke a E string guess its just the rites of passage of playing a bass

The rites of passage to bass playing does (or should) NOT involve pain of any kind. Yes, you will get soreness from blisters etc, but the pain you describe should not happen. You have obviously not got to the root of the problem. From a hand/arm aspect, bass playing does not involve muscle, but tendons.

Have you taken on board the tips/info given so far in this thread ? Is your wrist straight when you play ? Do you rest your thumb on the pick up ?

Perhaps you could post a clip of you playing ?


If the pain persists, I'd advise you to see a doctor.

[anirishlad]

I have adjusted my wrist and I do rest my thumb on the pickup when im playing the E string. If I got a picture would that be alright?

[Rigsby]

Originally Posted by anirishlad

I have adjusted my wrist and I do rest my thumb on the pickup when im playing the E string. If I got a picture would that be alright?

Yeah, a picture would be good. Do you rest your thumb on the pick ups when playing the other strings, i.e. do you always rest your thumb there ?

While a lot of players do rest the thumb on the PUP, and get away without any problems, it can be a recipe for the type of pain you describe. If however, you only do this when playing the E string, this limits the chances of injury.

Playing this way, restricts the tendon's entry through the carpel tunnel. This is what causes the pain.

Try the Floating Thumb technique I linked at the bottom of post #3.

[Herb Powell]

I played guitar for years before playing bass, so the only thing I noticed was my hand would get tired quicker from the heavier strings, and the larger scale-not sore, just tired.

As mentioned, you probably have to learn to hold it comfortably still, but I also think if you're a complete beginner then there will be a little bit of pain at first, because you're simply not used to it. Stretching should help with that. I'm not a doctor though.

[Rigsby]

Originally Posted by Herb Powell

if you're a complete beginner then there will be a little bit of pain at first, because you're simply not used to it.

Again, I maintain that pain should never be a part of playing the bass. There is however, a difference between pain and the kind of burning sensation often experienced with sudden over exertion, especially when the hands are not used to it. This is due to a build up of lactic acid, and usually disappears within about fifteen seconds of stopping.

IMO, this does not appear to be what the OP is experiencing.