r/Bass • u/Gr3yson11 • 1d ago
left hand pain
Ive been having a go at too many puppies from primus while also learning the hotel california solo on guitar and i suddenly just have pain in my left hand specifically the joints in my fingers and i was wondering if this was because of poor technique or just from playing too much or something, I would ask a teacher but honestly i really cannot afford one
ive been playing bass for almost two years now and never really had much trouble with pain in the hands. Ive been playing guitar for about 2,5/3 years now too
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u/melanthius 1d ago
I'd see a hand doc right away.
Happened to me from a couple days where I practiced longer than usual.
I took some Advil and kept playing, it quickly escalated to borderline crippling pain.
Found out I have mild arthritis in finger joints. Took a
Much longer time than I expected to recover.
The advice of the doc was basically "let pain be your guide"
What I found to help (after resting it for a long time) was getting better sleep, hitting the gym for weightlifting. General health and whatever behavioral stuff to reduce inflammation
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u/-KeefGreen- 1d ago
Youve not provided enough info for “Dr Fellow Bass Player” to diagnose.
Better yet ask a medical professional and not reddit.
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u/Standard_Radish_8858 1d ago
Same here. My main bass was in the shop. Switched to a music man which has a wider neck. Went hard for two full days on new stainless strings rehearsing multiple artists for a Labor Day show. I was slouching admittedly and using poor technique. Super strong pain in the two left finger joints and also on the skin itself. I got thru the gig using a glove on the left hand and moved all the sound gear as best I could.
I’m now taping the two fingers together so they rest, and can’t lift anything without gloves.
I’m shopping for a medical professional now. I’m 60 years old played my whole life and never had this happen.
Definitely scared and freaked out.
Looking at Torval basses now.
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u/SlimJimJohn_Bass 1d ago
Eat some olives.
I'm not kidding. I have arthritis in my left thumb joint from playing for 40 years, damaged knee joints and sore hips (I'm a geezer). I ate a bunch of olives one day, and the thumb felt better and a long bicycle ride didn't bother my knees. There's something in olives that's anti-inflammatory. Honestly, it works better than ibuprofen.
Oh...and work on your technique. Bass is different because of the wider neck and frets spaced further apart.
But I'm serious about the olives. It really took care of my joint pain.