need help from the 6 stringers here

[gonzosc1]

well I've had my 6er for about 1 1/2- 2 months now. I'm having problems with my left hand! when I made the jump from 4 to 5 strings I had simular problems but fixed that pretty quick just by running through my mode scales and the like. the switch was pretty much done by this time.
now that I'm going from 5 to 6 strings I'm have the same problems but not getting any fix doing my regular warm ups and jams. I guess the problem is hand position and cramping in the thumb muscle. I've played both sitting and standing makes no differnce. I'm missing something here, just can't get left hand into a comfort zone. help help help!!!!

Thanks

 

[Florin]

How high do you wear the bass, mate? A good position should have all the muscles relaxed, so that's the oposite of having cramps

I think a little study should fix it!

 

[gonzosc1]

How high do you wear the bass, mate? A good position should have all the muscles relaxed, so that's the oposite of having cramps

I think a little study should fix it!

well I haven't played the 6er at band practice yet, so most of my playing at this time is sitting down at home. bass on knee high up in my chest so I can get my hand down under the bass neck to grab the top string when needed. when I do strap the bass I try to find that mid position, to high and I have trouble making my figures reach the lower fret scales. to low and I can't reach up under the bass to hit the top string. so I try to find a mid position to get to both areas as best I can.
my thumb muscle, the one that rest on the back of the neck starts to cramp up. I try to change the thumb position from high to low as I play but once the cramp starts I have to stop playing and rub it out. I hate to say it but this might be a phyical limitation for me,,,I don't know!!!! I warm up on a 4 string for about 10 mins, then a 5 string for another 10-15 mins, then jump on the 6er and get about 15-20 mins of playing and have to stop!
could be the neck profile just isn't right for me. I guess I need to find a few other 6er's to play and compare to rule it out as a factor.. but 6er's are few and far between in stores around here.

 

[Mr.Demeter]

It took me a couple of months to get used to my thumb 6 as well. I actually had to reconfigure my whole playing stance because of it, the bass' weight made me move in a whole new way, back and forth like a rocking chair :lol:
The first 3-4 weeks I was experimenting with how high I should wear it so it wouldn't put strain on my wrists. It did a bit nontheless, by the 4th 5th week I was wearing wristbands as a precaution, but then my muscles just got used to it and I had no problems ever since.
Maybe you should give it a bit more time, continue doing proper warm-ups before playing and if it starts hurting just stop.
Maybe your thumb muscles just need to readjust to the new neck width/profile, hopefully all it will take is just some good old fashioned exercise

 

[herb vibes]

haha welcome to the club i have mine since bout one a half month too i wear the 6er higher else my 4/5stringer and it works fine!

 

[gonzosc1]

It took me a couple of months to get used to my thumb 6 as well. I actually had to reconfigure my whole playing stance because of it, the bass' weight made me move in a whole new way, back and forth like a rocking chair :lol:
The first 3-4 weeks I was experimenting with how high I should wear it so it wouldn't put strain on my wrists. It did a bit nontheless, by the 4th 5th week I was wearing wristbands as a precaution, but then my muscles just got used to it and I had no problems ever since.
Maybe you should give it a bit more time, continue doing proper warm-ups before playing and if it starts hurting just stop.
Maybe your thumb muscles just need to readjust to the new neck width/profile, hopefully all it will take is just some good old fashioned exercise

yeah that what I'm thinking also, it just may need more time to adjust to the neck. going 4 to 5 was pretty easy after about 1 1/2 months. I see the 6er needs will power more then anything else. well wish me luck and I'll keep trying..

 

[james brunnning]

i found when i play guitar i wear it higher then my bass,i don't know if it's the same for bass

 

[ChTBoner]

The way I got used to my 6 string (with a 35 inch scale...) I just did exercices taken form Josquin Des Près following books :

and

But instead of starting the exercices from the 1rst fret, I started from 5th fret. I stayed there for 1 week, then I did the same starting from the 4th fret, then 3rd, 2nd, 1st...

Do you also warm up by rubbing your hands and forearms too?