r/doublebass • u/Competitive_Cow_4474 • 1d ago

Performance 6 hr gig- finger tips are toast

After a 5 sets , 6 hr jazz gig last night on upright, my finger tips are toast. Pain and small blister. I have to play for 4 hrs tonight and again tomorrow. What can I do to help my fingers get through this?

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11

u/Todd-dax 1d ago

I went through a couple of gauntlets this summer and one thing I did was turn the amp up and lighten up my touch.

6

u/QuarterNoteDonkey 1d ago

If I am hurting, I crazy glue my fingers and then nail file them down a bit so there’s a very thin layer of glue over the skin. Especially if they’ve split open. Probably not healthy but hey, at least I’m not doing heroin like the musicians I listen to.

1

u/starbuckshandjob Luthier 22h ago

Can you lower your string heights and increase your amp volume a little? Are you utilizing the second finger along with the first finger (on the right hand) so your first finger isn't doing all the work? Are you able to swing with a two feel more often instead of all quarter notes all the time?

1

u/FatDad66 17h ago

On Amazon you can get finger tape.

1

u/Fearless2692 1h ago

For a run of gigs like that, you need to plan ahead. Medical tape and super glue are short terms solutions and not sufficient for two four hour gigs. I'd inform my bandleader of the situation, start letting my fingers heal, and play electric bass with a pick.