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My band practiced for four hours tonight and I got a blister on my right middle finger, popped it (as I was playing), got another one, and got one on my index finger. We're performing twice tomorrow (I'm also playing with another group so three times, total) and I have the last lead in the last song and don't want to ruin it.

As it is, I'm not sure I'll be able to play as well as I normally can due to the blisters so my question is if there's some way I can get rid of them, make them stop hurting, etc. by the time we play tomorrow.

Amolith
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    Ah yes, the joy of playing music... When we played three gigs in a row and I already had blisters on both my index in middle finger before the last one, I would usually switch to playing as much as possible with the bow, or the ring finger, the index finger in _very_ angled position (so it's more the knuckle than the tips that get rubbed off), or the thumb. Strangely enough, there's also a kind of slap technique that puts considerably less strain on the fingers' skin than normal fingerstyle: not the usual pull-upwards&let-snap-down, rather a very brief hit from above&only slightly sidewards. – leftaroundabout Sep 02 '17 at 10:02
  • (My instrument is actually a 5-string cello though, not a proper double bass, so somewhat less torturous...) – leftaroundabout Sep 02 '17 at 10:07
  • I try to alternate fingers, rather than favour a couple. That way, if there's a finger problem, there's usually a finger or two that haven't been worn out. Mind you, that's on EBG, so not exactly the same. As lefta says, a slap technique is another option, and can alleviate wear and tear on certain well used digits. – Tim Sep 02 '17 at 11:23
  • I would also suggest that 4 hrs is too long for a rehearsal. In a lot of cases, everyone should go in having prepared their own parts. If you did the best part of that 4 hrs actually playing - and it seems that way with the blisters - that's a heck of a lot of songs/tunes. Or did the same ones get played over and over? There wouldn't be that much playing at a lot of gigs! Just a thought for next rehearsal... – Tim Sep 02 '17 at 16:50

2 Answers2

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I play 5 string EBG. Sometimes if I get a new bass or change strings, I'll get blisters.

I use this stuff - it works pretty well. Protects the tender area but you still have flexibility to play.

Just spray it on and let it dry. It smarts a bit at first. New-Skin® Liquid Spray Bandage .

Stinkfoot
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Bandage them up, or use a bandage substitute. Then do what you have to do. It'll hurt a bit. You'll get through.

Laurence
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    I'd rather play with cotton gloves than bandages! – Tim Sep 02 '17 at 11:24
  • OK, cotton gloves then. Whatever gets you through it. Won't be perfect, but you'll cope. Or, if you really can't cope, dep out the gigs. No-one's THAT irreplacable. – Laurence Sep 02 '17 at 11:31