Proper left hand position.. How to avoid wrist problems?

[Filip St.]

Hello fellow TB'ers.

I've been a member for some time now, but this is actually my first post here...

I've wanted to ask you some questions about the proper left hand position... I know it is vital to have a proper hand position when playing and practising in order to avoid wrist problems. So i guess I would like to learn the proper hand position know, because I know how hard it is to eliminate that kind of mistakes later on....

When I play the bass standing I hold it on the same length as it is when I play sitting down (courtesy of Billy Sheehan ) I understand also that the tumb should be somewhat parallel to the middle or index fingers, and I also try to play with my fingers curled (courtesy John Pattituci ). Is there some other catch also? For example, when I play my entire hand is aproximatly at the straight angle to the neck. Should it be at the smaller angle, especially when you play at the lower registers? Any detailed explanations, pictures, recomendations for excersises, books, video instructions, anything that would get me on the right way of playing fast, smooth and precise without hurting myself will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

BTW, I play on Yamaha RBX 760A which has fairly slim neck, which is at the same time pretty wide for a four string (really big string spacing).

[PrimusNut]

Use the search function. This has been done to death. Other than that, I generally play how it feels comfortable for me. Sometimes my thumb curls over the neck, sometimes it is completely straight along the back of the neck, and sometimes it is parallel with my index and middle fingers.. Depends on where I am playing, and what I am playing.