Do you put your right forearm on the bass body or not?

Koki · #1 09-23-2007, 07:49 AM

I noticed that I can't play with my forearm off the body of bass, that's how I keep it under control and my fretting hand is free.
How do you do it?

phat daddy · #2 09-23-2007, 08:14 AM

I have done it both ways in the past-- a lot of it has to do with where I wear my bass. When I wore it lower (back in the day), I hovered above the body but now that I wear it high for technique's sake, I have no choice but to put my forearm over the top of the body because my shoulder doesn't bend backwards. Both are good feeling approaches for different reasons, but I definately like my right arm anchored.

Bassist4Life · #3 09-23-2007, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Koki

I noticed that I can't play with my forearm off the body of bass, that's how I keep it under control and my fretting hand is free.
How do you do it?

My forearm touches the bass. I don't see a problem with it.

I'm confused. I don't understand how your right arm placement has anything to do with your left hand being free...

Please explain.

Joe

Jimbob Jones · #4 09-23-2007, 08:52 AM

I find that I can play with conventional fingerstyle faster if my arm is off the bass, but I feel a lot more comfortable with it resting on the body.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bassist4Life

I'm confused. I don't understand how your right arm placement has anything to do with your left hand being free...

Please explain.

If you have neck dive issues, you can use your wrist to anchor the bass in place so that the wieght is off your fretting hand.

Koki · #5 09-23-2007, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bassist4Life

I'm confused. I don't understand how your right arm placement has anything to do with your left hand being free...

Please explain.
Joe

Well I don't have neck dive or any problem with bass. I mean when you play, pluck, fret, the bass moves. Like, when playing on stage, bass moves if you don't "hold" it with your forearm. If I don't hold it with forearm my fretting hand deals with bass movement and that can't be.
Like, when slapping, you hold a bass with a forearm, if not it moves when you pop.

skaliwag66 · #6 09-23-2007, 01:29 PM

My bass is neck heavy so I have to. Otherwise my left thumb would die.

Alvaro Martín Gómez A. · #7 09-23-2007, 01:57 PM

I always rest my forearm on my bass' body. That's why I find Steinberger-style basses so uncomfortable to play although, as I've said before, with a real, all-composite Steinie I'd work really hard to get used to that.

Bassist4Life · #8 09-23-2007, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Koki

Well I don't have neck dive or any problem with bass. I mean when you play, pluck, fret, the bass moves. Like, when playing on stage, bass moves if you don't "hold" it with your forearm. If I don't hold it with forearm my fretting hand deals with bass movement and that can't be.
Like, when slapping, you hold a bass with a forearm, if not it moves when you pop.

Okay, I see where you're coming from. Thanks.

Joe

bradjonesbass · #9 09-24-2007, 12:10 PM

I catch myself resting my forearm on the bass sometimes, but I try not to. It pinches off the blood supply and can lead to cramping. It's best to keep your arm free.

myro255 · #10 09-24-2007, 12:12 PM

i played a jazz bass for a few years and when i got my steinberg it was a big leep for me not to be able to rest my arm on the edge, but the learning curve went away and now im used to both ways

YCBass · #11 09-24-2007, 02:05 PM

As of late I've really been focusing on keeping my wrist straight or straighter and I find that keeping my forearm off the body and over the front of the bass would be the best but it's a little tiring on my arm so the substitute is keeping my right elbow up higher with my forearm on the body.

I have a J bass so I try to keep my forearm back on the contour of the front.... Again, all of this is for the sake of my wrist. I feel my playing is the same either way.

luknfur · #12 09-26-2007, 01:06 PM

Never really though about it other than I noticed with a violin bass it got on my nerves not to have the width of the Jazz body when I was fingerpicking. As long as I'm relaxed and getting the job done I don't pay any attention. When I did I noticed just above my wrist is lightly resting on the body - apparently enough so that I'd notice if the bass wasn't wide enough playing fingerstyle.

Steve³ · #13 09-26-2007, 03:08 PM

I keep my bass a little on the low side, centered a bit below my waist, so while my forearm sometimes touches the bass body, it never actually rests there.

Ramstien · #14 09-27-2007, 05:12 AM

I use my right fore arm when standing, not when I'm sitting.

Delberthot · #15 10-01-2007, 04:46 AM

Ther natural position for me to play my '51 reissue precision is with my forearm on the front of the body but because there is no contouring, I was finding that after a while I would get some pain so now I always use a sweatband, both to provide some padding and prevent cutting off the blood supply.

winstonthecat · #16 10-01-2007, 02:33 PM

Yes, my forearm rests on the bass. I have had to work to minimize the amount of pressure that I exert with my forearm, as that inihibited my plucking hand movement. I try to have it rest gently on the bass, but not so hard that it "traps" the bass against my body.

viking67 · #17 10-01-2007, 09:46 PM

Yeah, I usually keep my forearm on the bass but I've got to be diligent in cleaning after otherwise I'll destroy the finish on my 'wick. lol maybe one day i'll have a fender relic-style finish on my warwick because of it.

dvh · #18 10-02-2007, 08:26 AM

Isn't that why, on the archetypal bass, there's a contour there?

Actually, I have a 51 reissue as weel with no contour. I was initially concerned that might be uncomfortable but haven't found that to be the case. It might be because I move my right hand around a lot.

I couldn't imagine never resting my forearm on the bass. I guess a small-bodied Steinberger or the like would change the habit.

gre107 · #19 10-02-2007, 08:35 AM

I had to think about it for a second but I actually do both depending on what I'm playing at the time. Depending on the technique I'm using (2 fingers, 3, 4...) I change my right arm position. Having your forearm off of the body takes a little getting used to but I don't think it's that big of a deal. If you depend on anchoring anything (thumb, fingers, forearm etc...) you limit your movement so I think it's a good idea to practice with no anchoring.

Peace

jsingles · #20 10-11-2007, 01:43 PM

my hand is always lifted off of the bass. i guess i prefer a me vertical attack \
my elbow is also held outward