To bend or not to bend, that is the question.

butterfingers9 · #1 03-29-2007, 10:42 PM

What's happening brothers? Got a question for you. I've always kept my right wrist as straight as possible. While there is no pain to this method, I've found that I lose some of the dexterity of my plucking hand. Well, recently I started experimenting with some of my "bad" habits by bending my right wrist and resting my forearm on the instrument's body. Honestly, I feel no pain with this technique and my plucking hand has never navigated "them changes" smoother. I would greatly appreciate some thoughts and advice from you guys. Do you think I should go along with whatever is more comfortable or do you think I'm heading for trouble?

NKUSigEp · #2 03-29-2007, 10:51 PM

Naw man - I say suck it up and play whichever way causes the most pain and discomfort.

Edit: I felt I could throw in something useful at least. My wrist has been bent for over 10 years unless I'm using a pick (which doesn't happen often) and I haven't experienced anything painful yet. Except after this one gig we had but I'm almost positive it was from some fat chick! HAHAHAHAHA

IAmTheDood · #3 03-30-2007, 06:58 AM

i'm finding when playing around with positions if i keep my plucking hand's wrist straight .. and off the body of the instrument i can pluck faster ... if i keep it bent .. i'm not hitting those 16th notes as fast .. so now I am conciously keeping it off the body straight during fast songs ..

but whatever works with the less amount of pain .. go for it!

duckyincarnate · #4 03-30-2007, 11:02 AM

In my own experience, bending my plucking hand is not something I should do. I incurred an irritated tendon in my hand two years ago, that mainly had to do with playing while sitting down. After I let it heal (looooong time), I stuck to only playing standing up with my bass at waist height - never had a problem again.

Physiology varies between people. It could be completely fine for you, but listen to your body. If it starts to feel funny or painful (tingling fingers can be a tip-off), stop it immediately.

Hope this helps.

Cristo · #5 03-30-2007, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by duckyincarnate

Physiology varies between people. It could be completely fine for you, but listen to your body. If it starts to feel funny or painful (tingling fingers can be a tip-off), stop it immediately.

That's it exactly. The fact that other people have done it with or without pain is meaningless, because you don't have their body. If you like it and it doesn't hurt, fine. If it starts to hurt, you better stop, though...