Cant play 12+ frets while standing, help!

[Huffer777]

Okay so on the E and A string, playing frets above the 12th fret becomes nearly impossible for me.

I wear my bass around my waist, not extremely low but not high either.

I have been learning this song that goes something like

12 12 13 15 13 15 17 (on the E string, very very vaguely) and i learned it fine sitting down, and when i stand up to play it i just cant do it.

any possible reasons?

[christmetal]

possibly try wearing your bass higher
it actually improves your playing
ive done it so im a witness to it and it did help
i have the same problem sometimes also
just try raising your bass
it should help somewhat

[Huffer777]

Originally Posted by christmetal

possibly try wearing your bass higher
it actually improves your playing
ive done it so im a witness to it and it did help
i have the same problem sometimes also
just try raising your bass
it should help somewhat

alright ill try that, thanks

[spade2you]

Yup, raising your bass should help. People say that the sit/stand height should be the same, although I personally play my bass about 1-2" lower than my sitting position. Just make sure your right wrist is relatively straight. Guys who hang their basses too high generally put a significant bend in their right wrist, which actually makes your fingers weaker and opens yourself up for things like carpal tunnel.

[Jactap]

Aside from raising your bass, playing on higher strings instead of higher on the neck would help.

[Murder_Worship]

Originally Posted by Jactap

Aside from raising your bass, playing on higher strings instead of higher on the neck would help.

i was gonan write that, play it in which position is most comfortable, same with where your strap is, if you liek it where it is try playing on the other strings.

[SuperDuck]

As a side note, instead of thinking of the part as 12 12 13 15 13 15 17, think of it as E-E-F-G-F-G-A.

You can play that sequence of notes in a variety of places on the fingerboard with a variety of different fingering patterns. Learn the notes, don't get locked into the positions listed by tabs!

[MD]

Originally Posted by SuperDuck

As a side note, instead of thinking of the part as 12 12 13 15 13 15 17, think of it as E-E-F-G-F-G-A.

You can play that sequence of notes in a variety of places on the fingerboard with a variety of different fingering patterns. Learn the notes, don't get locked into the positions listed by tabs!

This is good advise.
Do it. Learn the notes. Know the FB. Use your ears and be able to play the same thing in different positions.

Good luck.

[Bathead]

If you don't want to raise your bass higher, I would lean back when hitting those 12th frets... it also looks kinda cool when you do it. Haha. Good luck.

-Bathead

[tom once dead]

try tilting the bass more vertical

[Gasman]

Originally Posted by tom once dead

try tilting the bass more vertical

That works. Also, anchor your left thumb at the bottom edge of the fretboard.

[armywalaby]

As it's been said, bring your bass up higher. There's a reason why you'll see the faster players wearing their instruments up closer to their chest. Hell (hopefully I don't get flamed for mentioning a guitarist.....)John Petrucci has those foot stands on either sides of his pedal board on his live setup just to give himself more support when he's shredding.

[Jake of Bass]

Also, point the headstock to being more in front of you. It means the wrist can adopt a more natural position and thus it'll be easier to play.

You could also put a foot on a foldback wedge and pretend the bass is a gun and you're shooting the audience for that Steve Harris touch

[metalbass777]

Originally Posted by armywalaby

As it's been said, bring your bass up higher. There's a reason why you'll see the faster players wearing their instruments up closer to their chest. Hell (hopefully I don't get flamed for mentioning a guitarist.....)John Petrucci has those foot stands on either sides of his pedal board on his live setup just to give himself more support when he's shredding.

Steve Harris wears his bass pretty low and he plays pretty fast. So I don't think the height of the bass really matters. The OP just needs to angle his neck more vertical like it has been mentioned.

[KingCrimson]

i learned how to play it a bit lower then my sitting position, it ain't perfect but then again in a band situation i have never had trouble playing down there, maybe when it gets abit difficult i'll rest it on my knee but other wise i play right around my waist and i get great range.

[mambo4]

Practice how you gig, be it sitting or standing.
If you want to do both, you'll need to shorten the strap and raise the bass up.

[Orangeclawhamme]

I just took the advice here and raised my bass a few notches. I'm not gonna ask why it makes it easier to play, I just want to thank those who gave the advice.

[DaneB]

It's because your hand is able to curl around the neck easier when the bass is higher up. When it's down at your hip, your wrist is kinda hooked under, making it more difficult to reach the lower (higher up) strings.

[brothertupelo]

play left handed

[woodyTUH]

I agree about raising your strap. Though another thing i tend to do (only when the guitarists are doing it though) is to over hand fret with your left hand.

Looks cool too IMO