I am on the other side of the age spectrum (I'm 20) and I used to have
pain in my fingers and joints (I play upright bass mostly, so I also
had shoulder and wrist pain too). My bass teacher told my entire
studio about two years ago that we MUST warm up before playing to
avoid injury.
Don't stretch or exert yourself, just move your fingers (making a
squeezing motion is great), move your wrists up and down, flex your
elbows and do shoulder/neck circles. When warming up, do not make big,
fast motions or movements, keep it slow and small. The point is to
warm up your joints and muscles and ease them into playing.
I played on a cruise ship for 2 months this past fall and, since I
warmed up before (almost) every performance, I consistently played
very fluidly and without pain. I was surprise at how much my left
hand chops suffered from not warming up. Doing simple exercises is
one of the best things you can do for your playing and your body.
Good luck!
-Shannon Fearon

--- In bassplace@yahoogroups.com, "Michael Larkin" <larkinmj@...> wrote:
>
> Could be arthritis (not unusual at that age- I'm also 50). Ibuprofen
is good. I also use one of those squeeze balls to exercise my hands.
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: mark monillas
> To: bassplace@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Wednesday, January 16, 2008 7:35 PM
> Subject: Re: [Bass Place] Hand Cramps
>
>
> eat bananas is one way, tigerbalm, motrin, stay out of
> the cold temperatures, stretch before you start to
> play, don't play in a cold garage....
> --- Kenny Love <kenlove@...> wrote:
>
> > Hand Cramps
> >
> > I would greatly appreciate any advice, tips or
> > suggestions for easing
> > (or, even eliminating) hand cramps and,
> > particularly, in my left hand.
> > I just turned 50, and am wondering if that has an
> > effect. :-) Any
> > lotions or heat/cold therapy ideas are welcomed.
> >
> > Thanks,
> >
> > kl
> >
> >
>
> Victa, whatsoever you do remember this... If you ain't got no
pocket you can't hold no groove!
>
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>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>