I changed my technique (wrist angle); Is it any better? (Video included)

MistaMarko · #1 12-10-2007, 04:26 PM

I'm the one who debated on the whole right hand wrist angle deal, and finally realized that, all in all, it would be beneficial for me to quit playing with the 90 degree wrist angle in lieu of carpel tunnel, etc.

I straightened my wrist out, and as awkward and weird as it felt, I practiced this entire weekend, and I'm fairly comfortable with it now.

Here's a Before/After video of the technique change...is my wrist angle any better? Could it be even straighter? Is it just right?

I know this might seem a bit rhetorical, but I'm just looking for input from everyone on here, because it'll always help.

Thanks!

Video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x99IjHQXhOs

Mingus · #2 12-10-2007, 05:14 PM

Nice bass. I've been contemplating the same thing. I'm not sure if I should do as you did or change my elbow position.

Any other ideas?

uethanian · #3 12-10-2007, 06:58 PM

ahhhhh...like cold lemonade on a hot day...

u doing floating thumb or moving anchor? its a little hard for me to see.

elpelotero · #4 12-10-2007, 09:28 PM

you could go even more if you really wanted to. Use your shoulder to bring your whole arm up.

MistaMarko · #5 12-10-2007, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by uethanian

ahhhhh...like cold lemonade on a hot day...

u doing floating thumb or moving anchor? its a little hard for me to see.

uh..thought those were the same thing..basically I'm just touching my thumb to the string below the one im playing for muting..whichever one that is.

@Mingus.

Well, as much as people talk about carpel tunnel, I think it's a good idea to give it a try. It already feels better to me, stamina/endurance wise.

SirCanealot · #6 12-11-2007, 05:40 AM

I straighted out my wrist and started playing with a lighter touch -- BAM! I instantly sounded and played a lot better. Your technique is looking a lot better already

Snerek · #7 12-11-2007, 08:24 AM

Sir Canealot..
you hit the nail on the head!

it's all about comfort and the way our bodies were born and not messing with that!

watch this video it will answer a lot of your questions.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_oBJ...eature=related

Straight wrists and light touch is a phrase that ive been working on to keep in my head, its tough but when you get it, damn you'll love it and others will to.

last saturday at our practice, i didnt tell anyone about my new technique i just did it. and my guitarist actually said to me "hey man can you turn up a little bit" haha

and all i had to do what increase my right hand power a little and everything was good! its great to have that control with your hands, and not have to touch your knobs throughout the show.

hope that helps,
D Rock

stabbicus · #8 12-11-2007, 09:11 AM

It's looking a lot better. Another questions for you, how many string winds around the tuning peg? At max I believe you should only have about 3. More than this could cause issues down the line, such as the string not staying in tune.

Amastacatious · #9 12-11-2007, 09:17 AM

I recently did the exact same thing with my right hand shape. My teacher, Roy Vogt, said that in the long run, I'm going to be alot better off. The sharp angle in the wrist will eventually cause injuries. The straight angle helps with muting the lower strings that you're not playing on. What's weird is, I see alot of "famous" guys playing with a really "bad" wrist angle.

theshadow2001 · #10 12-11-2007, 11:18 AM

A straighter wrist is always more desirable from the point of view of not getting tendonitis or RSI

Willem · #11 12-11-2007, 01:21 PM

I find the moving anchor or floating tumb very hard because I play metal and there is a lot of string changing... it's just not doable.

MistaMarko · #12 12-11-2007, 02:32 PM

Probably too many string winds...I was in a hurry when I last strung them..but oh well, they seem fine.. : /

BigSwami · #13 12-11-2007, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MistaMarko

uh..thought those were the same thing..basically I'm just touching my thumb to the string below the one im playing for muting..whichever one that is.

That's movable anchor. Floating thumb doesn't anchor the thumb on anything at all. For what it's worth, I'm with you.

plastik-bass[?] · #14 12-11-2007, 02:50 PM

I cant play like that I have to anchor my hand on a pick up or the neck (depending on where on the bass im playing) it gives me support to play faster and dig in if need be...plus i like moving around all the strings while playing and i just find it easier

I am Domokun · #15 12-11-2007, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Willem

I find the moving anchor or floating tumb very hard because I play metal and there is a lot of string changing... it's just not doable.

I find it very doable, if you spend the time to change your technique.

HaVIC5 · #16 12-11-2007, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigSwami

That's movable anchor. Floating thumb doesn't anchor the thumb on anything at all. For what it's worth, I'm with you.

That's a common misconception (although I suppose that is a valid technique in itself). Look at any one of the gadzillion floating thumb threads. Floating thumb as it more commonly is used means you're resting your thumb against all of the strings below the one you're playing on, rather than anchoring it along a single string.