I hope someone can render some advice. I'm a professional musician/educator (piano/keyboards) and because there is such a shortage of bass players in my area, I've decided learn how to play it myself.
Not only can this increase myt chances of getting more work. but I get irritated knowing there are a number of mediocre bass players who work as much or more than I do simply because of the instrument they play. (and in some cases, using the term 'mediocre' is being charitable)
I can practice piano for 3hrs, teach for a couple hrs and play a 4 hr. gig and not feel physical pain in my arms or wrists (although my fingertips can be a little raw, but that's normal, esp, if it's a situation where I have to really "dig in".)

However, when I practice bass, my left hand (I play right-handed) gets seriously and painfully cramped and it takes a good two hrs for it to subsides. I'm working out of the Mel Bay Electric Bass Method book 1 by Roger Filiberto.
Upon looking at the picture of him holding the instrument, he seems to keep his left arm angled in towards his body. I do that too but still I'm cramped after no more than an hr. I've concluded I must be doing something wrong because I don't think it should hurt this much. Can someone please render some advise? NO SARCASM, or "beavis and butthead-style" humor, please. I'm serious about learning proper technique so that I don't have to waste time "unlearning" bad habits and I'm in no mood for it.

Being a guitar player I do find that my fingers become raw after playing for a couple of hours. This is unfortunate because I usually need more time to memorize songs. I usually end up playing a section over and over until I have it memorized. I have come to look for songs that are easy for me to learn and therefore just have to concentrate on memorizing the song. If you have a lot of songs to choose from pick songs that are compatible to you. For instance, Heartbreak Hotel has a D in the verses and a G7, A7 to D in the chorus. Easy to learn and easy to memorize.

For memorizing songs, I use visualizing techniques. I envision myself playing guitar. I go over all the songs that I memorized in my head. That usually takes me about an hour or so. They did a study of people who visualized themselves shooting hoops. The people who visualized themselves shooting hoops did better than people who did not visualize themselves shooting hoops.

I have caluses on my fingertips. Your finger tips will be sore after a while but will harden and then you will be able to play better and longer. The piano isn't as harsh on the fingers as bass and guitar are. I don't know what else to tell you. I hope I have helped somewhat. 8)

Hey, I've been playing bass for about 5 years now and I can totally relate to what you're talking about!

I highly recommend warming up before you play, this involves stretching out your arms/wrist/fingers, and massaging them to get the blood flowing. Also, make sure you're not tensing up while you play. Try this:


Lower the string action on your bass, not so low you get excessive fret buzzing, but low enough to where it feels a lot "smoother" to play.

Now rest your index finger above a fret, then begin plucking the string as you slowly press down until the note sounds out clearly. If the bass is setup properly, you shouldn't be pressing down very hard at all. Keep in mind how little pressure it took to press down this note, and then try to utilize it into your playing.

Also, take breaks! Even after 5 years, my hand will cramp up if I play solidly for too long. It varies from person to person, so i'd recommend stopping immediately as soon as you feel stiffness and especially if you feel pain. Take a short break and allow your hand to loosen up again.

Hope this helps .

Hi. I am just learning as well as you but I think I might have some info that will help you out. I had the very same problem as you. I was fortunate enough to chat with the great Carol Kaye online about this very same issue. I was encouraged to relax. Especially in my shoulders and neck areas as well as my arm. Your arms should feel loose around your body. To pull your arm into your body causes tension. Check out www.carolkaye.com. Some of the other answers were right on also. To play more accurately is to play softer on the strings. With a soft touch, you can and will fly eventually. Let the amps do their job. At the first sign of tension, stop and shake it out.

I like to do a particular exercise that I picked up from an article about carpal tunnel/tendonitis in a Bass Player magazine.

Open your hands. Curl your index finger towards your palm. With the tip of your index finger, touch the tip of your thumb. Follow this procedure with the middle, ring and pinky fingers. Do it with both hands and try different patterns.

index - 1
middle - 2
ring - 3
pinky - 4

Patterns: 1,2,3,4 ; 1,2,3,4,3,2 ; 1,1,2,2,3,3,4,4 ; 1,3,2,4 ; 1,4,3,2 ...etc

Do it when you have free time too.

Path of least resistance: when learning bass, I thought I had to do things the hard way to be a good player. Look for the easiest and less strenuous way to execute your ideas.

I think what they showed you in the Mel Bay book is right; to keep the bass neck at a good 45 degree angle, left arm angled in towards the body.