Finger-strengthening devices?

[Pachap]

About 4 years ago I suffered a simultaneous onset of some neurological and back/hip issues that seemed much more sinister than what they actually were. It really sucks when the doctor tells you that you have MS. Thankfully, it was a false-positive, but it still took a long time to get a proper diagnosis and get everything corrected, at least as much as possible.

So, 4 years later I am sorted out as much as I am going to be, at least without a lot of stainless steel rods and hardware. I want to get back to playing, but I need to build a bunch of strength back first. I am working out my upper body and arms and getting my regular walking routine going. I've lost a bunch of weight and have regained my regular size. But I need some hand and finger strength back in addition to regular stamina, that is coming along with my exercise routine.

I've seen different devices that claim to help with hand and finger strength, and was wondering if you guys here have any experience with any of them? Can you recommend me one?

My goal is to work on my strength and stamina and be ready to buy a decent mid-range bass for myself for a Christmas present.

Apologies if this isn't the right sub-forum. Any advice is appreciated.

 

[ba55i5t]

Glad to hear you are well on your road to recovery.

There is no real need for hand and finger strength and exercises when it comes to playing the electric bass. It's more about technique, finger independence and exerting as little pressure as is needed.

If you want to do some finger independence exercises, I would suggest beginning by putting your hand flat on a surface and lifting up each individual finger one at a time using only the muscles of that finger. Typically the ring finger is hardest since the muscles are tied in with another one of your fingers.

Also I found that clenching my hand (not into a fist but imagining I had a stress ball) would help with warming up my fingers.

In the past I used a variety of "hand-strengthening" and "forearm-strengthening" devices and they did not prove to work as well as what I describe above.

 

[Pachap]

Glad to hear you are well on your road to recovery.

There is no real need for hand and finger strength and exercises when it comes to playing the electric bass. It's more about technique, finger independence and exerting as little pressure as is needed.

If you want to do some finger independence exercises, I would suggest beginning by putting your hand flat on a surface and lifting up each individual finger one at a time using only the muscles of that finger. Typically the ring finger is hardest since the muscles are tied in with another one of your fingers.

Also I found that clenching my hand (not into a fist but imagining I had a stress ball) would help with warming up my fingers.

In the past I used a variety of "hand-strengthening" and "forearm-strengthening" devices and they did not prove to work as well as what I describe above.

I am in great need of some practice in accuracy and independence of movement, but you could not understand how weak I am right now. My 14 year old daughter is significantly stronger than I am, and my stamina sucks. I am about to mow my lawn, a very small yard, and it will be a chore that lasts the rest of the afternoon. I'll take a pass or two, and have to shut off the mower and rest. Hence, my thoughts that I need better strength my arms, hands, and grip.

 

[fearceol]

Fergie Fulton is well informed on issues such as this. Here s a link he posted a while back on this subject.

building up finger strength

 

[Pachap]

Fergie Fulton is well informed on issues such as this. Here s a link he posted a while back on this subject.

building up finger strength

Good stuff! Thanks man. The exercises recommended will work for me because I am looking for things I can do at my desk at work while I'm getting my spreadsheet on and trying to figure out how people can screw up that bad.

 

[Nev375]

Well, I am by no means a physician, but unless you are using some seriously heavy gauge strings with a high action finger strength is not going to be a major factor. I mean, you may want to work on it anyway for opening jars, etc... but it should not be a big deal for bass playing.

I had carpal tunnel surgery on my left hand and the exercise they gave me was to touch each fingertip to my thumb several times a day. This was to help maintain full range of motion while the tendons and muscles healed. You definitely don't want to have movement limitations.

But any and all exercises you can do would be a good thing, unless your Dr. has told you otherwise of course.

 

[Pachap]

Well, I am by no means a physician, but unless you are using some seriously heavy gauge strings with a high action finger strength is not going to be a major factor. I mean, you may want to work on it anyway for opening jars, etc... but it should not be a big deal for bass playing.

I had carpal tunnel surgery on my left hand and the exercise they gave me was to touch each fingertip to my thumb several times a day. This was to help maintain full range of motion while the tendons and muscles healed. You definitely don't want to have movement limitations.

But any and all exercises you can do would be a good thing, unless your Dr. has told you otherwise of course.

I understand what you guys are saying, but I thing you guys underestimate how weak the muscles in my arms and hands are, and how weak I am in general.

I always felt like my hands were weak anyway. It's something I wanted to work on for quite some time now.

I am going to give all this stuff a shot. The good thing is that I can do it all while I am at my desk at work or watching a football game at home.

 

[Spin Doctor]

I understand what you guys are saying, but I thing you guys underestimate how weak the muscles in my arms and hands are, and how weak I am in general.

I always felt like my hands were weak anyway. It's something I wanted to work on for quite some time now.

I am going to give all this stuff a shot. The good thing is that I can do it all while I am at my desk at work or watching a football game at home.

Since your case is so unique, I think you really need to consult a neurologist or sports medicine physician. They are professionally trained to know these things. Regular Joe's are just going to give you the Regular Joe answers.

 

[Ant Illington]

I understand what you guys are saying, but I thing you guys underestimate how weak the muscles in my arms and hands are, and how weak I am in general.

I always felt like my hands were weak anyway. It's something I wanted to work on for quite some time now.

I am going to give all this stuff a shot. The good thing is that I can do it all while I am at my desk at work or watching a football game at home.

For the sake of saving people's time, you can edit your original post to add that you have a unique situation to which the replies "You don't need hand exercises" or "go see a doctor" don't apply.... and/or that someone provided you with the info you needed. Good luck.

 

[mambo4]

Even in your unique situation, I still believe the best exercise device for bass player is a bass.
There is a simple and helpful finger strength/accuracy exercise you can do with the bass in hand.
It's basically just walking your fingertips up and down the frets.

Position your bass for playing, and then starting on the low E,
position all four fingers over the E string , just above touching
then one finger at a time, slowly press down on a fret, perhaps plucking to make sure you fret cleanly
keep each finger down against the neck as the next finger comes down,
so by the time the fourth finger comes down,
you have all 4 fingers on the neck
Do this at a slow , deliberate and even pace
Thus you slowly play F, F#, G, G#

When you get to G#, lift up your index From F
and , while keeping the rest of your fingers in place,
Drop down to the A string and Fret the A#.
Continue moving only one finger at at time to fret A#, B, C, C#
And so on with D#,E, F, F# on the D string
& G#, A, A#, B on the G string

When you hit the top B, reverse the process.
Even with an 'in shape' player, one trip up and down the strings
is enough to generates some heat on your finger muscles.

If you hands are too small for the first 4 frets, you can easily move the exercise up a bit to fret 5 or 7 or 12.

This exercise is not about building muscles for brute strength string pressing
It's about building muscles for control and accuracy

[EDIT] I just re read the OP and It sounds like you have no bass.
Perhaps try it this way:

 

[rtslinger]

simple sponge ball will work great
look for one of these you can crush as will as stretch out

 

[ZonieBass]

You might try a Digi-flex. They come in different strengths. Start with a light one and over time move up to a heavier one.

 

[smtp4me]

About 4 years ago I suffered a simultaneous onset of some neurological and back/hip issues that seemed much more sinister than what they actually were. It really sucks when the doctor tells you that you have MS. Thankfully, it was a false-positive, but it still took a long time to get a proper diagnosis and get everything corrected, at least as much as possible.

So, 4 years later I am sorted out as much as I am going to be, at least without a lot of stainless steel rods and hardware. I want to get back to playing, but I need to build a bunch of strength back first. I am working out my upper body and arms and getting my regular walking routine going. I've lost a bunch of weight and have regained my regular size. But I need some hand and finger strength back in addition to regular stamina, that is coming along with my exercise routine.

I've seen different devices that claim to help with hand and finger strength, and was wondering if you guys here have any experience with any of them? Can you recommend me one?

My goal is to work on my strength and stamina and be ready to buy a decent mid-range bass for myself for a Christmas present.

Apologies if this isn't the right sub-forum. Any advice is appreciated.

4 years ago, I lost a fight with a chainsaw (long story). The saw completely severed the tendons on the top of my left hand index finger, requiring surgery to repair, followed by 2 months with the finger in a splint while the tendons reattached and while scar tissue grew to accelerate this. As part of my rehab/physical therapy, they gave me a container full of putty. Putty that is made specifically for strengthening fingers and hands after an injury, and the putty is color-coded by how difficult it is to squeeze. You might want to check into it.

 

[Spin Doctor]

4 years ago, I lost a fight with a chainsaw (long story). The saw completely severed the tendons on the top of my left hand index finger, requiring surgery to repair, followed by 2 months with the finger in a splint while the tendons reattached and while scar tissue grew to accelerate this. As part of my rehab/physical therapy, they gave me a container full of putty. Putty that is made specifically for strengthening fingers and hands after an injury, and the putty is color-coded by how difficult it is to squeeze. You might want to check into it.

Now, I realize that everyone on TalkBass is an expert on everything from basses to neurosurgery, but this post is exactly why I said the OP needs to ask a specialist. If he is as weak as he says, and from some neurological disorder, this isn't just a case for "buy a bass and do what anyone else does". He may need to take very specific steps in gaining strength that will not "F" him up all over again. You listen to these jamokes and you will end up writing with your freakin' toes...

 

[bearhart74]

Billie Jean at 200 BPM for an hour a day and youll soon have forearms like Popeye. All joking aside you should engage the services of a competent physical therapist...preferably one that knows what it means to play a stringed instrument.

 

[Pachap]

Even in your unique situation, I still believe the best exercise device for bass player is a bass.
There is a simple and helpful finger strength/accuracy exercise you can do with the bass in hand.
It's basically just walking your fingertips up and down the frets.

Position your bass for playing, and then starting on the low E,
position all four fingers over the E string , just above touching
then one finger at a time, slowly press down on a fret, perhaps plucking to make sure you fret cleanly
keep each finger down against the neck as the next finger comes down,
so by the time the fourth finger comes down,
you have all 4 fingers on the neck
Do this at a slow , deliberate and even pace
Thus you slowly play F, F#, G, G#

When you get to G#, lift up your index From F
and , while keeping the rest of your fingers in place,
Drop down to the A string and Fret the A#.
Continue moving only one finger at at time to fret A#, B, C, C#
And so on with D#,E, F, F# on the D string
& G#, A, A#, B on the G string

When you hit the top B, reverse the process.
Even with an 'in shape' player, one trip up and down the strings
is enough to generates some heat on your finger muscles.

If you hands are too small for the first 4 frets, you can easily move the exercise up a bit to fret 5 or 7 or 12.

This exercise is not about building muscles for brute strength string pressing
It's about building muscles for control and accuracy

[EDIT] I just re read the OP and It sounds like you have no bass.
Perhaps try it this way:

When I still played guitar I used to do a similar exercise for accuracy and speed, and it helped. When I get around to getting a bass, I will definitely be incorporating exercises like this into my routine. I have some milestones to hit first.

 

[Pachap]

Buy the bass - that's the best method.

Actually, I don't think I have particularly strong fingers (I can't do fingertip press-ups in my Karate class), but I seem to be able to play the bass OK.

I like this idea best! I keep staring at my wore out credit card, but I feel like I've got a little more improvement to make before I go any further.

 

[Pachap]

Billie Jean at 200 BPM for an hour a day and youll soon have forearms like Popeye. All joking aside you should engage the services of a competent physical therapist...preferably one that knows what it means to play a stringed instrument.

The services of a competent PT are why I am going about this way I am. In fact, my PT is the doctor that actually diagnosed me correctly. I went to two neurologists and two orthopedists, and both whiffed on the root of the multiple problems affecting me that all emerged at the same time. The PT got it right, and I was able to get proper treatments, surgery, and meds from there.

 

[lfmn16]

If your goal is to play the bass, the best finger strengthening device is the bass. You don't need MORE strength than it takes to play, you only need as much strength as it takes to play. I know some people swear by them, but it's just another distraction.

 

[Pachap]

The issue is that when my illness set in I had to quit playing because of how physically weak I was. I couldn't even sit and play my bass. I'm just looking for something to get a head start on getting some strength and stamina back. It was so frustrating wanting to play and not being able to play for any considerable amount of time. I'd hate to buy another bass now and not really be able to play it because of weakness in my hands and fingers, which I still feel is an issue. My arms and shoulders are much better, so maybe that will help a lot. I am going to give it a few more weeks and see how my exercising works out before I pull the trigger on new bass.