Playing while standing

yehongxiang · #1 12-27-2009, 07:21 AM

I have difficulties hitting frets, especially the higher ones (ie, the ones closer to the bridge) when I play and stand at the same time. I have to use a lot more force to reach frets, basically, and my wrist hurts after 5 to 10 minutes of playing.

Are there exercises I can do to fix this? I'm not slinging my bass really low or anything. In fact, I'm slinging it as close to my chest as possible.

pasta4lnch · #2 12-27-2009, 07:24 AM

are you wearing the bass funny? I have tons of wrist and arm problems and playing up high is about the most comfy spot.

also do you practice w/ a strap? that'll help. not too low either . . .

yehongxiang · #3 12-27-2009, 07:32 AM

I don't think I'm wearing it funny.

I'm wearing the bass as high up as the strap allows me to, and I slant the neck upwards as well, to make it slightly easier for me.

Yep, practise with a strap from Mono.

snyderz · #4 12-27-2009, 07:34 AM

When I'm playing closer to the bridge, I push the bass a little to the left to take a little angle off my wrist. As I move away from the bridge, it naturally returns to the original position.

pasta4lnch · #5 12-27-2009, 07:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snyderz

When I'm playing closer to the bridge, I push the bass a little to the left to take a little angle off my wrist. As I move away from the bridge, it naturally returns to the original position.

I do too. And, though this is probably a BAD habit to get into, if I'm not doing anything complicated and I'm all the way up I take my thumb out from behind the neck . . .

my hands are huge, like baseball gloves

FromBeyond · #6 12-27-2009, 07:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yehongxiang

I have difficulties hitting frets, especially the higher ones (ie, the ones closer to the bridge) when I play and stand at the same time. I have to use a lot more force to reach frets, basically, and my wrist hurts after 5 to 10 minutes of playing.

Are there exercises I can do to fix this? I'm not slinging my bass really low or anything. In fact, I'm slinging it as close to my chest as possible.

I've had this too about two months ago when i just started playing. It'll go away in the long run. Just listen to your body and don't force anything on your joints/tendons. In time, with more practice you will get stronger wich will make it a lot easier! I play more comfortably standing up then sitting down now!

So Low Bass · #7 12-27-2009, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pasta4lnch

are you wearing the bass funny? I have tons of wrist and arm problems and playing up high is about the most comfy spot.

also do you practice w/ a strap? that'll help. not too low either . .
.

This is the first thought that came to me too. Thhe second thought I have is: Do you practice standing up? Your bass should be the same height standing or sitting.

bigblondeafro87 · #8 12-27-2009, 10:43 AM

Find a comfortable strap height for you standing up, and always practice standing up. I almost never play sitting down anymore, especially at gigs so why should I practice sitting down?

Leftybass12 · #9 12-27-2009, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigblondeafro87

Find a comfortable strap height for you standing up, and always practice standing up. I almost never play sitting down anymore, especially at gigs so why should I practice sitting down?

You can still practice sitting down, just set the bass on your left leg (if you play right handed) or your right leg (if you play left handed). This emulates classical guitar, which in turn emulates the way the bass is positioned when you play standing up. Definitely find a comfortable strap height though, also find a good wide strap...the reason I say this is because I have arthritis in my right shoulder (I play left handed) and due to where I live, the whether gives my shoulder a lot of problems in the colder months.

Rudreax · #10 12-27-2009, 02:18 PM

What kind of bass do you play? Could you provide us with a picture?

I feel this is the most important question to ask, before other things, since some basses are really a pain in the ass to play a certain way.

XB-300 · #11 12-27-2009, 05:35 PM

I did have the same kinda problem. Probably because I had my bass slung as low as it would go. It did stop after a while, but thats just because I kept playing it like. I don't know too much, because I'm self taught, but I just played until it hurt, left it for a while, and played a little bit longer each time.

yehongxiang · #12 12-27-2009, 06:48 PM

Does this mean that it is just a problem with my, for lack of a better word, stamina? Because the fact that my wrist starts hurting after 5 minutes or so is quite worrying.

I play a Squier Affinity Jazz, pretty standard affair I think. I'll try to get a pic of how I wear the bass and position my wrist tonight.

Leftybass12 · #13 12-27-2009, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yehongxiang

Does this mean that it is just a problem with my, for lack of a better word, stamina? Because the fact that my wrist starts hurting after 5 minutes or so is quite worrying.

I play a Squier Affinity Jazz, pretty standard affair I think. I'll try to get a pic of how I wear the bass and position my wrist tonight.

Find a good bass teacher in your area and take a few lessons on technique or just look up A LOT of stuff on the internet by technique, ect. If you're wrist starts hurting after 5 minutes of playing there is a BIG problem with your hand position.

seanm · #14 12-27-2009, 07:55 PM

I think we really need to see a picture. Generally playing the bass up high is going to cause more problems with the plucking hand and with playing near the nut. It should be really easy nearer the bridge.

AfroCubanFunkMa · #15 12-27-2009, 08:01 PM

I'm guessing here but you're probably bending your wrist in an unnatural position.. keep your wrist straight and listen to your body.. If you're just starting, there is a time period of adjustment to the instrument but you should always play with proper technique and without straining your tendons, etc..

yehongxiang · #16 12-27-2009, 08:47 PM

Yeah, I think I'm bending my wrist in an awkward position as well. Will play standing up at my teacher's this weekend as well.

I read that my thumb should always be behind my middle finger on the neck when I play, is that true?

yehongxiang · #17 12-28-2009, 04:38 AM

OK here's a picture:

kr0n · #18 12-28-2009, 05:10 AM

You're a leftie, right?

I'd raise it a few notches. Looks like there's steep angle with your fretting hand. Increases reach for lower frets. Also keeping your plucking hand elbow should be raised to avoid plucking hand troubles. Also turning the headstock a bit more towards to ceiling might help.

You got nice long pianist fingers, just like me so higher gives you the fullest reach when using classical hand position (thumb behind the neck). Higher up I tend to raise my thumb near the upper edge to gain access to those notes. You loose a bit of the E/A string with your pinkie but sliding back behind the neck with your thumb usually corrects it.

Rudreax · #19 12-28-2009, 05:11 AM

I don't think your bass needs to be that low. Both of your wrists are bending at sharp and very awkward-looking angles to compensate for the height of the bass, and that can be fixed by just raising it above your waist.

Alternatively, you could adjust the angle of the bass. Raise the head a bit but keep the body low. Readjust your arms in such a way that your wrists can be straight.

yehongxiang · #20 12-28-2009, 05:16 AM

Oops, sorry. I'm a right-handed player. Used the webcam so its a mirror image.

That's as high as my strap would go. I'll try to adjust the angle of the bass. I suppose the correct position is to have my wrists straight and relaxed right?