Electric guitar played like upright

[root fifth]

I am gitting hammered for the way i hold my electric bass guitar.I hold it more like an upright or classical guitar.I guess you can say it is almost striaght up just off to the left side of my head.I play sitting and even as a group we all sit more of a string band thing.I have never played upright this is just how i learned.It feels better to me not to be bending my wrist like when holding the "proper" way.So is there a down side to what i do or is every one just gitting on me for being different?

[waleross]

Just like the original Stones bassist Bill Wyman, it looks cool but I could never play that way ....

[root fifth]

No i put the body between me legs and the and the headstock next to my left ear.have been trying to find a way to put a post on the bottom like a cello.

[root fifth]

This is very comfy by the way try it!

[Luis Perenna]

Long-time lurker, first-time poster. It's good to join you guys

I've seen some pictures of Alain Caron playing that way, but nothing as extreme as what you describe. He only seems to do it when playing fretless, however. Presumably, playing like that wouldn't be very practical when slapping and popping.

[root fifth]

No not as extreme as what i do but i cant be the only one to do this!I have seen some electric upright players do it.

[Dubista]

If it suits your style of playing and you're not hurting your wrist, who cares what other people say.

[root fifth]

Just dont understand why i get so much bs over it does anyone else do it?

[lunarpollen]

Originally Posted by Dubista

If it suits your style of playing and you're not hurting your wrist, who cares what other people say.

Exactly, as long as you are comfortable doing it and are able to play the songs, just ignore the people who make a big deal out of it. It will become your signature stance, and your fans will love you for it someday!

[Kael]

There's actually a bass aimed at what you are doing...

http://www.barkerbass.com/

[tehbassist]

The proper way to hold a bass sitting is holding it like a classical guitar, just at a 45 or so degree angle, not up by your ear.

[root fifth]

That barker is amazing!And i would say i hold it closer to 75 or 80 degrees.It happen by mistake.I am self taught and i was playing bass and searching internet for tabs sitting in computer chair with arms.Stuck bass between my knees and was searching internet found tabs and never moved the bass back bass.I was amazed how comfy it was then it clicked why not they have been playing uprights like this for ever!Made playing 34 inch scale basses so much nicer i play with no bend in my wrist.Try it and comment back!

[root fifth]

Bump!

[Plstrns]

Robert Deleo

[Fergie Fulton]

Don't sweat it its fine for many circumstances and styles. I play with mine totally upright at times because of the attack i get from my plucking hand allows me a much better "upright feel" for certain songs so gives them an air of respect in the playing.

As for right and wrong, if it works for you and the key areas of your wrists and posture are addressed then no probs as i see it.

[stratovani]

I remember when I was a kid seeing my dad play a bass guitar for the first time. He was an upright player, and he couldn't get used to playing a bass like a guitar, so he stood it up on a chair, got down on his knees and played it like an upright. He actually sounded pretty good! Later he told me he could never play like that for an extended period of time because his knees and legs would just kill him!

[root fifth]

BUMP looking for anyone else that plays like this!

[FrenchAK]

Originally Posted by Plstrns

Robert Deleo

You beat me to it.
And he looks pretty badass doing it.
I've played like that before, and it is quite comfortable. But I've had my bass fall off the strap when I bring it up too high.

[fivestringgecko]

Originally Posted by Dubista

If it suits your style of playing and you're not hurting your wrist, who cares what other people say.

Yeah, this. If it works for you, that's what matters.

If you've never heard of him, check out the way Erik Mongrain plays acoustic guitar... Erik Mongrain - Airtap. He doesn't exactly play like you're talking about, but still pretty amazing in my book!

5sg.

[okcrum]

There's a local around here who plays an EB atop his amp, on a stand, like an upright.