Am I holding the Bass wrong?

[Tenebrearum]

I've been playing bass for about a month now and so far I'm coming along pretty good. However, the way hold my bass worries me because I don't know if it's correct or not.

I'm right handed so:

-When I'm sitting on a chair I rest my bass on my LEFT leg and hold it at an angle of about 140 to 130 degrees.

-If I'm standing up, I hold the body of the bass at the middle of my body instead of the right side of my body at about the same angles of 140 to 130, maybe 120.

-If I'm sitting on the ground with my legs crossed, I'll have the body rested between my legs at about a 140 to 130 degree angles.

Is it OK for me to play this way?

[TBAR Shane]

That's fine. It's almost a classical guitar type position. It allows easy access across the entire fingerboard.

[bluesdogblues]

It's OK man,.

I put my bass on my right leg when sit & play most of the time, but sometimes I (and I'm sure some other too) do like you do.
I don't think there's a problem with that.

[snyderz]

140 degrees up or down? Sorry. Sounds like you are fine. Your arms and wrists will dictate neck position. You'll soon learn that a 'power stance' is much cooler than sitting with legs crossed while playing.

[vivifiction]

Yeah- you see more guys rest it on the right than left (in my experience) but there's not a right or a wrong way. If it feels good and natural to you, do it.

[BassmanSBK]

That's exactly how I play. That way, your forearm lies across the front the body and your wrist is straight (instead of resting your forearm on the top of the body, with the wrist bent down so that your fingers reach the strings, which is a recipe for injury).

[Rockmusician]

There is no right or wrong way to hold your bass. Do whatever is comfortable while at the same time allowing you to play your best.

[Mulebagger]

I play in the same position and it reduces the chances for hand injury. If you notice any pain while playing just try a different position. and take time to stretch your hands before you start digging in really hard.

welcome to the world of bass!

[TBAR Shane]

I wouldn't say that there is no wrong way to hold your bass. The wrong way to hold your bass is a way that hurts you. As long as it's healthy and comfortable than it's right.

[Russell L]

I'm different. The only prob I have with the classical guitar position is, first of all, I would have to raise my left leg a tad. But it would also make me turn my body further left than I'd like. Plus, the bass is long. Standing, the middle of my belly is about at the end of the fingerboard.

But IT DON'T MATTER. If'n it don't hurt, whatever suits ya is fine.

[Jonofthedead]

I'm gonna go out on a limb and say there's not really a wrong way to hold a bass, unless it makes it so you can't play. I understand where you're coming from though. i sometimes find myself playing similar to that when I'm standing up and playing.
similar to the bass player in this video:
YouTube - 11/22/10 Western Haikus by Title Fight