Double Bass Possible Injury risk??

[Notaluthier]

I have been interested in the sport of Arm-wrestling for a long time and have found a tournament near me to compete. Sadly though, I have had many family members and colleagues warn of potential danger. Does anyone have any thoughts on either side of the argument? For me doing it or not? I am in 2 orchestras, a jazz trio, and solo work.

 

[MrLenny1]

With your playing schedule I would say that is Arm-wrestling.

 

[Brilee]

I've had a rotator cuff tear, a meniscus tear, tennis elbow, and other tendonitis, all sports-related. I still work out, but I do things with very low risk, have given up the "sudden change of direction" sports, and use the best technique possible. Arm-wrestling sounds like a very bad idea due to the other person being involved. The isometrics of being deadlocked with someone might be OK for a while. A long slow intense muscle contraction is fine. But a sudden slam-down can do horrible things to tendons and ligaments. I would 100% advise against arm wrestling.

 

[Bruce Calin]

My teenage nephew talked me into a match with him years ago. I won the match eventually but in doing so strained my arm enough to affect my playing for weeks-really stupid. Don't do it.

 

[Don Kasper]

Do Arm-wrestlers use the French or the German grip?
Do they sit or stand?
Is rosin permitted on the palm?
Are there separate divisions for lefties and righties?
Are you awarded bonus points for snapping your opponent's ulna and/or radius bone(s)?
Is spitting in your opponent's face permitted?
Are the divisions based on weight or I.Q.?

 

[neilG]

I've been involved in sports with a lot more risk than arm wrestling. Ya gotta live. Do it, and if it gives you problems with bass playing, stop doing it.

 

[CryingBass]

I used to beat guys 1/2 my age, military, farm boys, etc. - often with both parties inebriated. And never for $$.

It was fun. But at a certain age, it's a big gamble. Gave up myself years ago. Tread carefully.

 

[Paps]

Yes, such extreme activities are fine at a certain age.
When you get into 40's, 50's and beyond, it's time to exercise caution.
Explosive activities like arm wrestling are a no no.

If you remain in reasonable shape, you can happily play your Bass to a grand old age.
Just look at the latest Francois Rabbath videos with Jason Heath.
That must be the sharpest, most nimble 91 year old I have ever seen, and boy can he still play that bass!
That was in 2021, so he must be 93-94yo and still going strong.

 

[salcott]

Arm wrestling seems to me to be a good way for notaluthier to end up notaplayer.

 

[Wasnex]

I don't think I have arm wrestled since I was in basic military training. We had a guy from Oklahoma who easily whipped everyone in the flight, including people who were much bigger and stronger.

He said the trick is he had bailed a lot of hay. He said that made his wrists unusually strong.

When I wrestled him, I could hold my own until he rotated his hand forward. As soon as your wrist breaks over backwards...your done!

I would guess this is a pretty common technique among skilled arm wrestlers. So unless you have the strength and skill to dominate, it's probably going to be pretty hard on your wrist.

I regularly ride mountain bikes. It's fun to haul "A", if you know what I mean. The problem is pushing the limit eventually results in exceeding ones skill level...and my skill level is not particularly high to begin with. I wiped out at least three times this riding season. Landed on my right shoulder twice and went over the handle bars once, tweaking my left wrist. Recovery has been slow, especially for my wrist.

Also this sort of damage tends to be cumulative. As I have aged, I have noticed scars from my youth starting to reappear. I am sure old damage to my joints and tendons is also re-emerging.

 

[Don Hergert]

The problem is pushing the limit eventually results in exceeding ones skill level...and my skill level is not particularly high to begin with. I wiped out at least three times this riding season. Landed on my right shoulder twice and went over the handle bars once, tweaking my left wrist. Recovery has been slow, especially for my wrist.

Sorry for the off-topic interlude, but please be very careful; speed and boulders do not mix well. We live near a very popular mountain bike preserve in Southern California. I have two close friends who separately became quads due to neck injuries on bicycles this way. One has since passed away. These are just folks I happen to know, I'm sure others have suffered a similar fate. We usually know something has happened when we hear choppers flying over head into the foothills, once or twice a month.

 

[Bobby Scharmann]

does your income depend on your music?

if yes: don't do it
if no: weigh risk vs reward, choose whichever one has the higher number

 

[damonsmith]

I have been interested in the sport of Arm-wrestling for a long time and have found a tournament near me to compete. Sadly though, I have had many family members and colleagues warn of potential danger. Does anyone have any thoughts on either side of the argument? For me doing it or not? I am in 2 orchestras, a jazz trio, and solo work.

It is a tough question. I also have a dangerous hobby. I fell right on to my hands about a year ago on the first trick in the video and went out a few days later and did a satisfactory version and I have been more reserved since. Like what I am doing, you are looking at a couple of months off at most, not death! So I would say try it and see how it goes for you. You will know if it is worth it after you do it.

 

[crd]

It is a tough question. I also have a dangerous hobby. I fell right on to my hands about a year ago on the first trick in the video and went out a few days later and did a satisfactory version and I have been more reserved since. Like what I am doing, you are looking at a couple of months off at most, not death! So I would say try it and see how it goes for you. You will know if it is worth it after you do it.

This is the greatest thing ever.

 

[damonsmith]

This is the greatest thing ever.

Thanks! This was made in better days for that stuff, and I suppose it is all grounded in this:

 

[Reiska]

I personally run the trails rather than ride nowadays and avoid getting in to any form of activity situation that makes my body hurt for more than a day or two, very much including budo and fight sports. That said, if arm wrestling is your thing, life is short. I`ve understood that Miles Davis was into boxing, and when sparring he made a deal with the partner to not hit him to the mouth. Competing is another thing off course.

 

[Richtofen]

Don't do it. Sports + musicians don't mix well in the case of injury.

 

[Anne Millington]

There is a tale about Pablo Casals, that while on a hike on Mt Tamalpais in California, he fell and broke a finger. His response? Relief, at not having to play cello again. Is that what you're after?

Regarding Mr Casals, he did recover just fine and his career continued.