I’m not sure what I did but differently I’m getting cramping on my fretting hand. I’m also fumbling and having buzzing especially on strings that I’m fretting with my ring and pinky. I’ve been working on learning Money, and I’m wondering if I’m overworking those two fingers. Any thoughts?
Anyone have this happen to them and what did you do?
Could just be a magnesium deficiency so try a multivitamin and some bananas so you don’t go on a wild goose chase trying to find some technique issues etc if it’s that
Forgot this earlier, if you keep getting cramps after making sure you don’t have eg a magnesium deficency or does some weird things with your fingers. Try to find what muscle you actually get cramps in since that’s a big clue on what it could be if it’s not the common issues.
It happens to me usually when I’m too sedentary with my wrist or if my hands are absolutely wrecked from work already. I would try keeping it moving if possible when you get a break or at least put your wrist down below your heart level for some quick relief. I have had spasms below the thumb in my hand and it doesn’t feel good. Usually means I’m in a bad position on the neck or pressing too hard. I’ve set my basses lower action and it helps a lot.
You’re trying too hard which used to happen to me but not much anymore. This advice might not be for everybody, but it snapped me out of it, learning to relax is the key.
It used to happen to me when I played during the day, but not at night after dinner time which usually included a glass of wine, or two. That got me thinking it induced relaxation, and I could play relaxed w/o any cramping at all, and the playing would be smoother with almost no fret noise. Since that revelation, I don’t have that problem anymore, even during the day, learning to relax, but the fact remains, I still play better after dinner.
Another athlete/ construction worker trick is downing some pickle juice. Something in the brine blocks the response that causes the spasm or cramp. I’ve done it. I’ve had bad ones in the truck driving home after sweating out in the heat all day doing heavy work.
Could it be that maybe you are gripping the neck of the bass too hard? Many people do that on the beginning. In some videos Josh talks about that. The thumb should rest comfortably and lightly on the back of the neck.
I notice that when I’m playing a faster song, or when I’m trying something new, I might tense my hands more, without noticing it. When I started playing bass, I often had to use some pain relief gel on my hands at night before going to sleep. It helped.
Magnesium tablets are very helpful too in these cases, as other people pointed out.
I’m definitely going too hard. It mainly seems to occur when I’m working on something technically difficult or really new. I tend to grip harder when I’m tense. When I’m playing relatively easy, I don’t grip as hard, and I don’t cramp.
Making sure to take my multivitamin every day which seems to help.
I’ll going to try having a drink before playing and see if that helps