I have noticed that if I bend my right hand wrist a lot (as much as it can bend) and then anchor my right forearm against the body of the bass, I am able to play very fast parts easier. This is bad for my wrist isnt it?

I don't know, but I'm guessing yes. I don't do it; I know a guy that does it and he doesn't appear to be in any pain, but it hurts me just to watch him! I guess just try to be aware of how your hand and arm feel, you know, day in/day out...Remember the old joke:

PATIENT: Doc, it hurts when I do this!
DOC: Don't do it.

It is bad in the long run. Your forearm muscles attach to tendons that go through a small passage in your wrist then to your fingers. Bending the wrist put a strain on this small passage and can lead to troubles down the road.

Yup yup. You want to keep both wrists as straight as possible.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_oBJlE5qNc&mode=user&search=

Watch this. Keeping the wrists straight is essential in the long run, if you want to steer clear of tendonitis.

I just watched that whole series of garys instructional videos. He is the man. So inspiring.

I'm pretty sure it's bad, but I do it. I think a lot of us reposition our hand when we know we're about to play something really fast. Is it a bad thing? I guess, but since we know when we're playing a fast passage we move, and go back when it's over.

Or maybe I'm just speaking for myself.

Its bad because, IMHO, you wont be able to play as well/fast this way. Essentially, to have perfect timing and play with the best touch possible at any speed, your hand needs to be relaxed. The more relaxed the better.

Does your hand cramp up while you play as a result of you bending your wrist so much? If so, start working on relaxing the whole arm from the elbow down.

BAD

I am gonna show you guys some angles of wrists. I bend it a little, have no real pain, and I think a little bend is fine. I could be wrong, but many greats do it. It's past a certain point that is terrible, and also the back bend is the worst, effectively what causes computer wrist problems (can't remember the name for it right now). DON'T TENSE UP!!!!!

http://www.jazzitalia.net/disegniFoto/AlessiaScali/MatthewGarrison01_UmbriaJazz2006.jpg

http://www.jvc.com/presentations/jazz/i/wall/01richard/richard_bona_svga.jpg

http://www.sessionplayers.com/htdocs/rosterImg/LelandSklar.jpg

http://www.instituteofbass.com/archive/images/manring.jpg

http://www.portaltc.com/colunas/nego/stu_hamm.jpg

DON'T TENSE UP!!!!!

That's the key. I haven't heard you, but you might be playing faster by bending and tensing your wrist but chances are you're not as accurate and relaxed as you could be. It might hurt both your music and body in the long run.

I've been playing that way for years. I wouldn't advocate it for someone else, but I've never had any problems.

Here's a pic of my right wrist.
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f252/jonpackard/061004-F-12342E-008.jpg

I think the thing to remember that a lot of guys in these pictures bend their wrists, but they're comfortable, although Richard Bona sure looks uncomfortable. If you can bend your wrist forward and be comfortable, I doubt that will kill you. Bending it sideways? That's a whole different story.

It is bad in the long run. Your forearm muscles attach to tendons that go through a small passage in your wrist then to your fingers. Bending the wrist put a strain on this small passage and can lead to troubles down the road.

Hi, would like to add on this topic. The small passage is called Carpal Tunnel, and bending your wrist too much can cause Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Try to look it in wikipedia. Very2 painful...

Hi, would like to add on this topic. The small passage is called Carpal Tunnel, and bending your wrist too much can cause Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Try to look it in wikipedia. Very2 painful...

Also very soul destroying and career ending from what i've heard.

[QUOTE=JimmyM;4440683]but they're comfortable, although Richard Bona sure looks uncomfortable. QUOTE]

Yeah, I think he hit something that he felt a ton, makes ya shake sometimes! ;)

But seriously, it is all about being tense and relaxed around there. I just saw the 'How To Grrove' youtube vids, Pino Palladino is the same way. slightly bent, and VERY comfy looking.

A major reason why carpal tunnel hits the office worker so much more is that when your forearm is at rest on the desk, your wrist has to bend BACKWARDS to adjust to where the mouse and keyboard are. That is a serious issue, no way not tensing up is a factor there as your position is not natural. It is natural that your wrist comes in, not backward. There are one or two shots where I see a forarm almost laying on the bass body, and that does ment the wrist has to bend backwards in order to hit positions for the fingers to hit the strings, that is bad no matter what.

You know, I just went to the 'show your action shots' thread in the bassists section and took a look at peoples wrists.....

a) most people who look comfy do bend their wrists a little.

b) there are a select few who it may seem their arms are completely straight, but actually I think there actually are bending backwards in the slightest. They do not look completely comfy.

I am gonna show you guys some angles of wrists. I bend it a little, have no real pain, and I think a little bend is fine. I could be wrong, but many greats do it. It's past a certain point that is terrible, and also the back bend is the worst, effectively what causes computer wrist problems (can't remember the name for it right now). DON'T TENSE UP!!!!!

http://www.jazzitalia.net/disegniFoto/AlessiaScali/MatthewGarrison01_UmbriaJazz2006.jpg

http://www.jvc.com/presentations/jazz/i/wall/01richard/richard_bona_svga.jpg

http://www.sessionplayers.com/htdocs/rosterImg/LelandSklar.jpg

http://www.instituteofbass.com/archive/images/manring.jpg

http://www.portaltc.com/colunas/nego/stu_hamm.jpg

Thanks... hope that clears things up before another "rule" gets reinforced:D

Bending in and of itself is not bad. Being tense or uncomfortable is.

I've been bending mine for a long time and have no playing issues.

idk. i have tendinitis really bad, on the account that im a fencer also and i take alot of notes in school + bass of course. Consequently i visit a therapist for my wrist since i have some weird problem with it now. I actually feel that its most comfortable to play as if i have no wrist at all, just a big long arm bone that connects to my fingers, and hold my arm at a right angle as if im doing the robot. This gives me the most dexterity while playing. I move into that position subconsciously now. Due to this, my actual fingers bend alot. Idk if that matters, keeping the fingers straight or bent more.

idk. i have tendinitis really bad, on the account that im a fencer also and i take alot of notes in school + bass of course. Consequently i visit a therapist for my wrist since i have some weird problem with it now. I actually feel that its most comfortable to play as if i have no wrist at all, just a big long arm bone that connects to my fingers, and hold my arm at a right angle as if im doing the robot. This gives me the most dexterity while playing. I move into that position subconsciously now. Due to this, my actual fingers bend alot. Idk if that matters, keeping the fingers straight or bent more.


How high or low do you wear the bass? That's key IMO.

Having a bent wrist while repeating motions can be considered a "risk factor" for various injuries/problems. Similarly, smoking is a risk factor for many different diseases, but some people smoke and do not develop those diseases, just like some peopel play with a bent wrist without trouble. Susceptability to repetitive stress type problems varies from person to person. Many people can do it with no problems, while others will do the same thing and have problems.

Wouldn't that depend on how it was bent.

If you hold your arms in front of you in a Praying Mantis position, letting your hands go limp, would that normally be detrimental?

Now pull your right elbow back... that's the position you see many of these players having their arm in. No serious downward pressure on the RH wrist.

It would be detrimental only because people would make fun of you for being a sissymary.

Not you, of course. I doubt people make fun of a guy who's 7'4" and 350 lbs.

It would be detrimental only because people would make fun of you for being a sissymary.

Not you, of course. I doubt people make fun of a guy who's 7'4" and 350 lbs.


Hey... I love peer pressure as much as the next wimp.
;)

Wouldn't that depend on how it was bent.

If you hold your arms in front of you in a Praying Mantis position, letting your hands go limp, would that normally be detrimental?

Now pull your right elbow back... that's the position you see many of these players having their arm in. No serious downward pressure on the RH wrist.

The point I was getting at is that the exact same technique could be harmful to one player and not another due to physiological differences, or other outside influences.

So I might mimic your playing position and style exactly (within reason) yet still end up with wrist pain because of differences in body structure, or because I use a keyboard all day which is already putting cumulative stress on the same structures, etc.

I'm not saying having wrists bent is "wrong", but rather, when viewed strictly from an ergonomic point of view, it is a factor that increases the likelihood of problems.

Wrist related problems can stem from repetitive motions, the amount of bend, and the duration and magnitude of forces applied. With bass, the forces are probably insignificant, but there are plenty of repetitions, and there may/may not be a question of angle (the point of this thread.)

On the flipside, some players might find that in order to straighten their wrists, they have to change their playing style so much that it hampers their abilities. Some of the people in the photos in this thread might have a tough time playing after adjusting their bass height and angle for straight wrists.

My point is that if someone is not STRESSING the joints and muscles in question, IME injuries seem less likely. It is entirely possible to bend a wrist without bending too far.