Posture and Pain!!!

[Iain_cbr]

I've tried all sorts of different playing positions over the past 4 years or so (mostly governed by the band I was in at the time...) from low-down-knee-scraping-can-only-just reach-the-E-string stances to up high I-wear-my-bass-as-a-beard, and most things in between. I now have it settled at just above belt level, bass sat inclined nicely to keep stress off my left hand, right hand probably a little bit too bent (not quite stanley clarke).

The problem is, I always suffer from cramping/muscle fatigue in the back of my right shoulder (I am right handed) after playing for an hour or so.

Does anyone have any ideas?

I play a warwick corvette, so it's not super heavy compared to others.

I read and tried the posture article in BGM a few months back, but nothing seems to ease it!!!

Cheers,

Iain.

[jasonl]

hi, have you fully warmed up before playing? a lot of people warm uo their hands the forget about the rest. neck, arm,shoulder, back and hip warm up is very important especialy before a gig! also a wide strap might be usefull. it might sound vain but look in a full length mirror when you practise and see how your posture is as you might be leaning over to your left when you play to compensate for the basses weight? hope this helps.

[Iain_cbr]

That's a good point, cheers.
I'll try it and see how I get on!

[spook]

By the sound of it, you have the same problem I had for a few years.

I ended up seeing a physio for a while it got so painful.

The problem was solved very simply - I took the bass into a physio session.

Turned out I'd been wearing it a few inches too high, (in a similar position to the one you described), and my right arm and shoulder were permanently "lifted", causing the muscles in my shoulder to be in a fixed position for the entire gig.

Maybe you're having a similar problem.

[Iain_cbr]

Thanks for your inputs, I think I've nailed the problem now.

I wear my bass one notch lower on the strap, I warm up properly, and I also found that I was hunching my right shoulder without realising.

I videoed myself playing with no top on (not pretty!!!) and spotted it straight away. Not surprised I was cramping!

Thaks for all the help!

Iain.