Can you please outline some things to conceptualize and perhaps watch for in a mirror to target proper technique in the shoulders? Or said another way, things to watch for that might indicate improper technique?

Thanks for fielding our questions.

Bolo,
When watching yourself in a mirror, make sure your shoulders are relaxed and down. Don't lift your shoulders like you would when shrugging your shoulders. Make sure your left elbow is out and the wrist as straight as possible without lifting the left shoulder. Pleae consult the Rabbath Art of the Bow and Rufus Reid's videos for more information and a visual role model.

Thanks very much. I have the Rufus Reid DVD and I will do as you suggested.

A slight follow up if I may - Any guidelines (conceptual, or to check in a mirror) for proper shoulder technique and general posture in thumb position?

I pulled out my copy of Ray Brown's Bass Method book. There's a picture of him on p. 10 up in TP where both elbows are extended quite far away from his body, almost forming a diamond shape w/ his head at the top and his hands on the bottom. But his shoulders appear to be relaxed, level, and not hunched or shrugged as you outlined. A little hard to tell since he's wearing a suit. He is leaning quite far over the front of the bass in this picture, bent at the waist it appears to me.

Thanks for any additional info you'd care to provide.

Hi,
There are other schools of thought about playing the bass, but I agree that in the upper register thumb position that one should bend from the hips. The movement is like taking a formal bow. The back and neck should be straight, not curved or rolled over. With the Rabbath method, this will naturally cause the neck of the bass to contact the "meat" of your shoulder. If the neck is resting on the bone, it can be painful. This works if the bass endpin is out long enough that the bass is angled and/or you use the bent endpin or angled Laborie endpin concept. The bent and/or angled endpin take the weight off of the left hand and balance the bass better than a long straight endpin. The Rabbath books and DVD will also help with examples of this posture. Ray Brown did some study of Rabbath later in his life!