Can You Play Bass Pregnant?

[joelb79]

Originally Posted by sublime0bass

all I've learned from this thread is that girls that play bass put out

All i've learned from this thread is how tasteless some people are. Do us all a favor and grow up.

[theshadow2001]

I also find the term "we are pregnant" funny. There's no "we" in it. She is pregnant. You aren't suffering morning sickness, you aren't having mood swings, and 9 months later you aren't trying to push something the size of bowling ball out of your crotch.

Really there's only one way to find out if she can play bass when pregnant. Just wait it out and see what happens. You already have the equipment so if she cant then she cant maybe you could sell the stuff or hold on to it for some time in the future. If she can then happy days.

[El-Bob]

Originally Posted by joelb79

All i've learned from this thread is how tasteless some people are. Do us all a favor and grow up.

indeed. again. some people need to think before they type

[mothmonsterman]

I don't see why not, other than giving her and extra weapon to swing at you when those hormones go crazy.

[Sarah5string]

As a lady bassist who has had 2 children I just wanted to add my input from first hand experience.


1st trimester - 1- 12 weeks -
Could play fine if I wasn't, being sick, raiding the kitchen for food, sleeping. No back pain, no belly issues, no problem playing.

2nd trimester - 13 - 26 weeks -
Could play fine as long as I could get comfortable. To cope with the growing belly I just had to have the bass at a slightly different angle. Back pain was easily subdued by sitting down. Baby LOVED me playing and would wake up and 'kick along' to my basslines.

3rd Trimester - 26 - 40 weeks
Aches, pains, no sleep, constant hunger and huuuuuuuuuge belly put an end to my playing after about 28 weeks. I couldn't even sit down comfortably let alone stand up with a bass. The bass would be at an impossible angle or sitting on top of my bump regardless of whether I was sitting or standing which wouldn't have been good for the baby or me...

The main thing I would say is to just support her. If she doesn't want to play because of x,y,z reason then don't push it. Being pregnant is really hard and painful so just be there for her with the foot rubs etc and enjoy waiting for the imminent arrival.

Good luck and massive congratulations to you both, x

[Infernal Affair]

Originally Posted by Audiophage

Maybe you should follow your own advice and not twist my words around so much, eh?

Regarding the fat thing, I was not calling anyone obese. I don't know any female bass players, let alone ones who are pregnant. I was just comparing it to something that would seem fairly similar. Logically speaking, beer bellies and baby bumps would pose similar challenges to bass players, despite the contents being very different.

@ fenderhutz

Dude. All you have to do is swallow your pride and apologize. Sure it was a joke. I got the joke as I'm sure everyone in this thread has, but it doesn't exclude the fact that some were offended by it and don't find it funny. There isn't really a misconstrued context here. If you and the original poster were face to face, don't tell me you'd say the same exact thing. Asking people to lighten up is one thing, but doing so while not admitting fault just makes you dig yourself more into a hole. The power of internet anonymity. Geez.

Originally Posted by whitedk57

LIf he were to say, "I'm sorry to have offended you, but that's not what I meant", would that appease you?

I'm sure it would appease the few that were offended. Yes. The words, "I'm sorry," still do mean something in this day and age.

Anyway, to the original poster, I agree with almost everyone else has said. Be there and support her, making sure she's comfortable. Pregnancy is not just a physical, but an emotional process as well, so be very careful.

Very interesting post about your experiences, Sarah. I would imagine the third trimester being pretty much impossible for playing even while sitting.

[peterbright]

If it's comfortable, do it. Watch the SPL.

[kaiser_sosea]

I too find what Adiophage said rude and disrespectful. However, it was clear to me that he thought it was funny a guy said he was trying to get pregnant, and as a "fat" person i take no offense to his other comment. Granted it was juvenile, but there is no need to rag on him about it, if he feels it is worth an apology he will, if not that is his problem, not the forum's. Be the bigger people...

In regards to playing while pregnant, my wife had no interest in playing bass, but she loved to sit in the room and read while i was playing, once she was about 7 months along you could see my son responding to sound and moving around, about the coolest thing I've ever seen. Now he's 8 months old and loves to sit on the floor of the "office" (gear room) and rock back and forth to the bass, puts a smile on my face I tell you!

[T-MOST]

Why should it be a problem???

[Linkert]

Tricky one. I have never been pregnant..
But i would guess if you are sit down you can twist the bass so its head is pointing slightly to the forward, left. On the side basicly.
Good luck with your babie

[andvari7]

Hey, since they have somewhat fashionable maternity clothes, and things of that nature, perhaps a guitar/bass designed for pregnant women would be a great idea. Seriously - one addressing the issues of back strain (of which there is a lot in a pregnancy - strapping a ten-pound bass around your shoulders doesn't make it easier), the expanded abdomen, and so on.

Or, just get an EUB - those don't hit the stomach, IIRC.

But, congratulations, mazel tov, and all that.

[TriciaZ]

Thought I'd add my two cents because when I first got pregnant I asked the same question and wondered how a baby bump might affect my playing.

I'm 8 months pregnant now. I play the upright in a community orchestra and in a bluegrass band. I just had my last bluegrass gig tonight and had my last orchestra concert two weeks ago. I might have kept playing longer but it's also approaching the holiday season so things are naturally taking a break anyway.

I don't think it's gotten in my way at all. I take my end pin out an inch more and started carrying a stool to orchestra rehearsals to avoid standing for 3 hours. I got a bass wheel but didn't really end up using it. I figure I'm used to carrying it and it weighs about the same as a 3 year old and some moms carry their kids around til later in their pregnancy. I'm also happy to take my husband up on his offers to carry it for me. I did check with my OB first and she said it would be no issue. I would say my biggest problem is the 100 other things I've been busy doing getting ready for the baby.

I think it's really up to you and how you're feeling in your pregnancy as each one is different. And I think I've been pretty lucky as far as my health, energy, and mood so it's been okay for me.

And I think the baby enjoys it, I can sometimes feel him dancing in there. We just played Orpheus in the Underworld (the Can-Can song) in the last orchestra concert and he was really moving during that song.

I'm actually thinking about how I want to keep playing after he's born because they say babies are soothed by sounds they become accustom to in the womb.

Another downside to being pregnant and still playing is missing out on the perk of free beer. Our bluegrass group played a few breweries and beer festival recently.

[VinKreepo]

Originally Posted by TriciaZ

Thought I'd add my two cents because when I first got pregnant I asked the same question and wondered how a baby bump might affect my playing.

I'm 8 months pregnant now. I play the upright in a community orchestra and in a bluegrass band. I just had my last bluegrass gig tonight and had my last orchestra concert two weeks ago. I might have kept playing longer but it's also approaching the holiday season so things are naturally taking a break anyway.

I don't think it's gotten in my way at all. I take my end pin out an inch more and started carrying a stool to orchestra rehearsals to avoid standing for 3 hours. I got a bass wheel but didn't really end up using it. I figure I'm used to carrying it and it weighs about the same as a 3 year old and some moms carry their kids around til later in their pregnancy. I'm also happy to take my husband up on his offers to carry it for me. I did check with my OB first and she said it would be no issue. I would say my biggest problem is the 100 other things I've been busy doing getting ready for the baby.

I think it's really up to you and how you're feeling in your pregnancy as each one is different. And I think I've been pretty lucky as far as my health, energy, and mood so it's been okay for me.

And I think the baby enjoys it, I can sometimes feel him dancing in there. We just played Orpheus in the Underworld (the Can-Can song) in the last orchestra concert and he was really moving during that song.

I'm actually thinking about how I want to keep playing after he's born because they say babies are soothed by sounds they become accustom to in the womb.

Another downside to being pregnant and still playing is missing out on the perk of free beer. Our bluegrass group played a few breweries and beer festival recently.

Congrats on your pregnancy... oh, and the OP's baby is now 3 lol

[Russell L]

Well, the way my belly sticks out I may as well e pregnant. My wife always asks me when I'm due, lol. But, what I've noticed is that when my strap is long enough to hang my bass below the "equator" I can't see the fingerboard because it is rotated away from my eyes. The good news is that my bulge helps keep my belt buckle off the back of my bass.

If I can do it, your wife can, too.

[phillybass101]

yeah, I suggest that she sit and play. The bass will be more to the side but it can still be done. Your child will grow up loving bass.

[Roy Vogt]

Tina Weymouth (Talking Heads, Tom Tom Club) did...
I recommend we all meet here again and weigh in in 15 years-about the time that kid graduates from High School!

[josiah goldfish]

Originally Posted by enyapj18

Congratulations!!

I think the strain on her back would be the biggest concern. You could use this as a good excuse to get a Barker Bass or a Steinberger. I’ve never played a Steinberger but I can’t imagine they would weight very much given their size.

On a side note, lower frequency sounds are more audible in the womb. When my wife was pregnant I would play children’s songs on my upright and my son would start bouncing around in the womb.

John

You could buy an instrument called the Ministar Basstar if your wife finds bass uncomfortable. They don't come with one, but if you attach a cymbal stand and a bungie cord to it you don't even have to touch anything but the neck (well, it is just a neck but you get my point).

Very high quality instrument, and easily modded. It'll also be useful after the baby comes. Available in fretless or fretted, although the 4 string is better quality than the 5er.

There's also a lot of 'large' ukulele players (why ukulele players? Beats me) so maybe a U bass might be more comfortable?

Anyway, congrats and good luck!

[josiah goldfish]

Forgot to mention, you can get the basstar from playawayguitars.com, unfortunately it looks like the fretless and 5er are no longer available.

God bless,
Joe

[creis2]

To answer the original post and to ignore the idiotic posts that were going around, I would imagine so.

The bass player of the Silversun Pickups not only played, but she TOURED extensively with TWINS pretty far into the pregnancy.

She plays with two fridges and two SVT heads, I would hope to god she has a roadie .

I'm not a Doctor, but I can't see it being an issue as long as she's not jumping around with a cigarette in her mouth .

[oniman7]

Originally Posted by rockwarnick

i missed the part where thats funny

Not that it matters on a 4 year old joke, but I think it was a sex joke about the word "hard". A "hard" time