Is it even possible to keep your left wrist straight?

skaliwag66 · #1 10-01-2007, 05:44 AM

Any useful tips to help keep it as straight as it can be? I find I cannot play the low strings comfortably when it attempt this.

Lincoln · #2 10-01-2007, 08:11 AM

try dropping the body of your bass and setting your neck at about a 45 degree angle. This helps get both wrists more straight. Also play with you finger tips and use four fingers per fret. This stretches the hand and keeps it from collapsing and becoming lazy.

skaliwag66 · #3 10-01-2007, 09:06 AM

I don't get what you mean by 4 fingers per fret but I keep the body of the bass maybe 3/4 above my waist. Is this too low or high?

Phalex · #4 10-01-2007, 09:11 AM

If your left wrist is giving you trouble raise the height of your bass (make the strap shorter) if your right wrist gives you trouble, lower it.

Lincoln · #5 10-01-2007, 09:12 AM

misspoke on that --- 1 finger per fret -- using all four fingers. The height has more to do with the angle of the neck. The neck should be anled at about 45 degrees which will effectively straighten the left wrist as it won't have to bend to fret the notes.

skaliwag66 · #6 10-01-2007, 09:17 AM

gotcha, i'll try raising it

thanks for the replies