Stiffness and aching with multi-instrumentalist gigs

TheHiltz

TheHiltz

Mar 31, 2015
30
42
4,606
39
www.hiltzmusic.com
#1
Hey all!

I am often hired for electric bass and electric guitar, but am now being asked for some UB stuff, and piano. I have some multi-instrumentalist gigs coming up, and I am having some trouble with stiffness and aching in my hands and fingers when I practice different instruments. I noticed this for the first time in a significant way about a month and ago when I was practicing regularly on the upright. It is usually worse first thing in the morning, or the first hour or so of playing the other instrument. I had a bit of a scare when I played piano for about half an hour, and a muscle in my left forearm was so sore that it seized up. I am practicing guitar right now, and I have some disconcerting stiffness in my fingers I don't normally have when I'm playing the bass. I know these are all different muscle groups that I am not used to using, and the surrounding muscles I regularly use for electric bass are likely overworked.

Who knows of some options for maintaining my chops when I have to shed for a gig on a different instrument? I'd still like to be able to practice for long enough that I feel comfortable with the material. I'm usually doing between 3 - 6 hours a day on the bass, and maybe an hour or two of guitar. I'm 34... am I actively summoning the early onset arthritis demons?
 
#2
TheHiltz said:
…... I'm usually doing between 3 - 6 hours a day on the bass, and maybe an hour or two of guitar. I'm 34... am I actively summoning the early onset arthritis demons?
Click to expand...
If you take breaks every 45 minutes you can practice all day. But you do need to take a break and rest your hands and wrist ever 45 minutes. After a fifteen minute break you are good for another session.

Wrist angle is what causes the pain. Different instruments are played differently. Try and keep the wrist angle in a "natural position" no matter what instrument you are playing and you should not have a problem.

Good luck.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: TheHiltz
#3
TheHiltz said:
Hey all!

I am often hired for electric bass and electric guitar, but am now being asked for some UB stuff, and piano. I have some multi-instrumentalist gigs coming up, and I am having some trouble with stiffness and aching in my hands and fingers when I practice different instruments. I noticed this for the first time in a significant way about a month and ago when I was practicing regularly on the upright. It is usually worse first thing in the morning, or the first hour or so of playing the other instrument. I had a bit of a scare when I played piano for about half an hour, and a muscle in my left forearm was so sore that it seized up. I am practicing guitar right now, and I have some disconcerting stiffness in my fingers I don't normally have when I'm playing the bass. I know these are all different muscle groups that I am not used to using, and the surrounding muscles I regularly use for electric bass are likely overworked.

Who knows of some options for maintaining my chops when I have to shed for a gig on a different instrument? I'd still like to be able to practice for long enough that I feel comfortable with the material. I'm usually doing between 3 - 6 hours a day on the bass, and maybe an hour or two of guitar. I'm 34... am I actively summoning the early onset arthritis demons?
Click to expand...

I believe the issue is you need to maintain a certain level of conditioning all the time. So even when you don't have gigs lined up for UB you need to practice it to maintain strength in the unique muscle groups you need for this instrument.

Like all instruments, ensuring you have a good setup can go a long way as well. If you play UB amplified, you can probably set it up to play fairly easily. Almost every bass I have ever played had the nut cut way too high for my taste.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Spin Doctor and TheHiltz
#4
TheHiltz said:
I'm usually doing between 3 - 6 hours a day on the bass, and maybe an hour or two of guitar.
Click to expand...

Perhaps you are simply over doing it ? Try cutting back on the playing time. As Malcolm states above, take regular breaks and do gentle stretches both before and after a practice session. Also, make sure your technique on any given instrument is up to scratch.
 
  • Like
Reactions: TheHiltz
#5
Have you ever thought about trying the CBD oil ?
I came across it a few months ago and it’s done wonders for me so much so that I actually started to sell it so let me know if you might be interested.You can buy it in either drops that you put under your tongue or a rubber band that you can use on your hands
 
  • Like
Reactions: TheHiltz
#7
briandavismurph said:
Have you ever thought about trying the CBD oil ?
I came across it a few months ago and it’s done wonders for me so much so that I actually started to sell it so let me know if you might be interested.You can buy it in either drops that you put under your tongue or a rubber band that you can use on your hands
Click to expand...

Thanks for the advice, everyone.

I haven’t thought of CBD for this specific purpose! I have a CBD vape pen that I use to help relax muscles when I get tension headaches. I also have a CBD powder, but I’m never sure how much to take, and often don’t feel any effects. These were the only two CBD options at the dispensary across the street from me, I could venture further to try to track down the oil.
 
#8
TheHiltz said:
Thanks for the advice, everyone.

I haven’t thought of CBD for this specific purpose! I have a CBD vape pen that I use to help relax muscles when I get tension headaches. I also have a CBD powder, but I’m never sure how much to take, and often don’t feel any effects. These were the only two CBD options at the dispensary across the street from me, I could venture further to try to track down the oil.
Click to expand...
Pm me if you would like more info. It is supposed to be very good for stiffness and arthritis like conditions of the hand. I use it for aches and pains and great sleep.
 
#9
Regular exercise and stretching will solve 90% of the issues people have with their various body parts. It doesn't have to be some intense, gym related routine. Just some basic stuff using your own body weight will fix a lot of things.

Drugs have their place but usually people don't need that. People are obsessed with instant fixes for everything. Your own body can fix itself, if you know what to do. And yeah, it's all the stuff you really don't want to do...

I'm almost 60 and last week, I played two 5 hour gigs on consecutive days and I feel fine. Plus I practice a couple hours a day and maybe 9 or 10 hours on weekends, if I have time.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: TheHiltz and Wasnex
#10
Dude!

Soak your hands in very hot water 30 minutes before you play or do a hard practice. Works well for piano, db or eb.

I am over 65 and i play 4 to 8 hrs a day during the school year.
 
#11
IamGroot said:
Dude!

Soak your hands in very hot water 30 minutes before you play or do a hard practice. Works well for piano, db or eb.

I am over 65 and i play 4 to 8 hrs a day during the school year.
Click to expand...

That's interesting...I usually avoid playing for about 30 minutes after a hot bath, or the strings tear up the skin on my fingers. Applying heat to the joints to warm them up might be good though.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom
Back