I'm laying some tracks for a performance tomorrow, and I've been slapping my 5-string pretty hard for the first time in weeks. As a result, I've got that good ol' bass-string blister on my index finger.

Do any of you use tape when you play bass? Does it help any? I tried icing my finger and sitting it out for a few hours, but it's still pretty sore. I guess I could always try ibuprofen.

ThreadBare said:

Yeah Ive done that one before, index finger slap wounds. I dont tape my fingers up but I do if I have a blister to stop it getting worse.

I'm a guitar player but I shred both of my hands when I play a lot and I swear by brush on nail glue. I use it to hold my callouses together if they start coming apart and to re-enforce my nails when I'm tearing them up. You might be able to coat your blister area with it and get some relief perhaps? A little nail glue armor? Just an idea.

Thanks, y'all. I've abandoned the track idea. I'm assured the house band will be there to back me.

The blister, if I kept at the bass, might interfere with me holding a pick for my guitar later tonight!!!

ThreadBare said:

Switch fingers - I usually use my middle finger for the popping, so when it's shot, I'll go to the index finger. At first, it's a challenge, but after a few minutes, I'm doing better because I'm focusing more on the playing.

And Cloud9 gave me some great advice - don't move your right hand as much... while it's way kickass to flail away on the bass, you have better results if you try to move your hand as little as possible... it improved my playing a TON, and hey! fewer blisters.

otan said:

Thanks, man. Yeah, I normally switch from index to middle, when I feel a blister forming. But, I wondered whether there were other tricks. I'll give keeping my hand steadier a shot, too.

Peace!

personally i put glue (super glue!) on my finger tips...allows me to play for hours pain-free!

daf1999 said:

Yeah, a clutz just wouldn't dare to do that -- too much potential for calamity, man.

ThreadBare said:

Just don't scratch yourself while you're waiting for it to dry!!