Bass Too Low?

Seb_VitusFreak · #1 12-21-2006, 05:42 PM

Heres a question for you guys. Is my bass too low to learn "proper" left hand technique?

I ask that because I want to be more versitle on the fretboard. (Oh by the way, im blind in my right eye and have been practiing for 5 months.)

SpankyPants · #2 12-21-2006, 05:55 PM

I don't think so.

I play my bass around there, and I try to keep it comfortable. That's what I'd recommend. If you have any pain or problem playing something, go ahead and try raising it up a little. I find it easy to play faster, more complex stuff (chords included) when the bass is higher... but I usually use it to cover my loins.

(I play gigs in my jimmy suit sometimes.)

moopants · #3 12-21-2006, 05:58 PM

You CAN learn that low, but you'll probably notice yourself wanting to raise the strap as you play more and get better.

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That's about where I wear mine, but I have raised mine since that picture. The higher the bass is, the more it feels like you're sitting down playing it. You usually have more control when you're sitting than standing (I do, at least). It's all personal preference, though.

cowsgomoo · #4 12-21-2006, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seb_VitusFreak

Heres a question for you guys. Is my bass too low to learn "proper" left hand technique?

I ask that because I want to be more versitle on the fretboard. (Oh by the way, im blind in my right eye and have been practiing for 5 months.)

no, you should be able to play perfectly well with your bass at that height, although if you play fingerstyle you might find it easier on your right hand to go a bit higher

MammaryVest · #5 12-22-2006, 10:52 PM

I'm blind in my right eye too, and I play WAY lower than that. You should be able to get some left hand technique going, but personally, I find "proper" technique to be B.S. to a point. Sometimes there are things that I just have to play the "wrong way" and I don't mind.

moopants · #6 12-22-2006, 11:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MammaryVest

Sometimes there are things that I just have to play the "wrong way" and I don't mind.

Exactly. This is out of topic, but I can't do the double thumb to save my life. So, when I play Classical Thump, I use a pop-hammer-slap technique instead of the double thumb. Is it wrong? No. If I was trying to play exactly like Wooten, then yes, it would be. But, as long as you're comfortable, then it's all right.