Resting the forearm on the body of the bass: Yes or no?

Hiromakuta · #1 08-06-2008, 01:37 PM

I´ve been thinking about that for a while, and I´m wondering what the pro´s around here have to say about this issue.

Dogbertday · #2 08-06-2008, 01:42 PM

I do it... I'm no pro but I do it both at rest and to free up movement in my hand

jaywa · #3 08-06-2008, 01:46 PM

I've rested my forearm on the body for as long as I've been playing (28 years).

The only time I'd advise against it is if you're playing a Rickenbacker or other bass with a sharp edge/molding on the body vs. rounded or beveled like a Fender. Then that sharp edge can get a little uncomfortable, especially if you are short-sleeved or sleeveless.

I assume you are planning to play fingerstyle and if that's the case I see nothing wrong with "resting".

RED5 · #4 08-06-2008, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaywa

I've rested my forearm on the body for as long as I've been playing (28 years).

The only time I'd advise against it is if you're playing a Rickenbacker or other bass with a sharp edge/molding on the body vs. rounded or beveled like a Fender. Then that sharp edge can get a little uncomfortable, especially if you are short-sleeved or sleeveless.

I assume you are planning to play fingerstyle and if that's the case I see nothing wrong with "resting".

I have an Explorer, and iI have it strapped so that my entire forearm rests on the rear upper wing, conversely, With my T-bird I just mash my hand against the forward upper bout,just above the fingerboard.

Iv@N · #5 08-06-2008, 02:26 PM

I watched a Gary willi's video and he said it was better to have the arm as straight as possible. check it here
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_oBJ...eature=related

Chipsonfire · #6 08-06-2008, 02:45 PM

I do a little of both, as I use floating thumb and tend to move my arm up and down as I play, resting on the body on occasion when I'm not moving strings.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RED5

I have an Explorer, and iI have it strapped so that my entire forearm rests on the rear upper wing, conversely, With my T-bird I just mash my hand against the forward upper bout,just above the fingerboard.

When I first read this, the only thing that was coming to mind was Ford Explorer and T-bird

Kael · #7 08-06-2008, 02:46 PM

I do it all the time. At least when it is comfortable I do so. If it's a no-no, that's news to me.

edit: Hell, I'm doing it in my avatar pic there.

waynobass · #8 08-06-2008, 02:57 PM

Pick player: okay.

Fingerstyle: no, bends wrist too much, possible carpal tunnel damage.

MyUsernameHere · #9 08-06-2008, 02:59 PM

There's some truth to what people like Gary Willis say about keeping your forearm as straight as possible. I've tried it a little and could definitely notice that it made my hand seem more relaxed. That said, I just couldn't get the hang of it. It changed the sound I was getting from my fingers because of the different angle of attack.

If I ever develop wrist problems I might try it again, but for now I'm keeping my forearm on the bass' body.

Thunderthumbs73 · #10 08-06-2008, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hiromakuta

I´ve been thinking about that for a while, and I´m wondering what the pro´s around here have to say about this issue.

I do that often, and never had any problem with my hands or arms. A lot of the time, I wear my bass high enough that it's very easy and natural (to me) to hang it there.

jaywa · #11 08-06-2008, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thunderthumbs73

I do that often, and never had any problem with my hands or arms. A lot of the time, I wear my bass high enough that it's very easy and natural (to me) to hang it there.

Same here. I wear my P-Bass at average height or maybe slightly higher (i.e., the "buckle" rash on the back is squarely in the center of the body), and resting the forearm has always felt natural for fingerstyle playing which is about 90% of the time for me. If I wore my bass significantly higher or lower maybe it wouldn't feel right or would cause me problems but the only wrist issues I've ever had have been with the other (fretting) hand.

Marcury · #12 08-06-2008, 05:15 PM

Many basses are shaped at the bottom of the upper bout to accommodate it.

RedSubway · #13 08-07-2008, 02:21 AM

Yeah I rest mine on there most of the time, and my dad did too because the black finish is worn down to the woodgrain on that part of the body from over 30 years of use.

Ampeg SVT · #14 08-07-2008, 03:11 AM

I only do it when i play with a pick, when i play fingers its straight.

Traver · #15 08-07-2008, 03:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by waynobass

Pick player: okay.

Fingerstyle: no, bends wrist too much, possible carpal tunnel damage.

This guy speaks the truth.

Thunderthumbs73 · #16 08-07-2008, 08:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Traver

This guy speaks the truth.

He speaks the truth... ...for him. And that's fine. My experience as a fingerstyle player suggests otherwise. After countless hours of live playing and in practice over these past 14 or so years, I have no reason to think that I would ever have a problem with this technique, as it is my sense that if I was ever going to have a problem with it, I would have known so long before now.

Best to you.

jaywa · #17 08-07-2008, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ampeg SVT

I only do it when i play with a pick, when i play fingers its straight.

And I am exactly the opposite... I "rest" when playing fingerstyle but keep my arm away from the body when using a pick. No carpal tunnel or any other problems after 28 years. (A light touch on the strings helps too.)

Bottom line, whatever works best for you.

von buck · #18 08-07-2008, 08:45 AM

It depends on where, but sometimes resting my arm hits a muscle that causes me not to be able to play fast passages. Thast being said, I usually rest my arm.

Andy

OtterOnBass · #19 08-07-2008, 08:56 AM

Forearm is a big place. I rest my forearm on my bass, but closer to the elbow so my arm is straight. Also, sometimes I wear a sweatband on my wrist, and that keeps my arm from getting stuck on the finish.

Sometimes I get tired and push the top of my bass out, and my wrist bends. It feels comfortable, but a stretch for my wrist. I can see where that is a strain that can damage the tendons.

Commreman · #20 08-07-2008, 09:03 AM

No matter where you put your forearm, you should strive to keep your wrist straight. Keeping the wrist bent may not affect you now, but if you do this over the long term you will get tendonitis. I'm 48 now, and because of constantly keeping my forearm on the body with my right wrist bent, tendonitis has been my constant companion in one form or another for the last few years. Trust me on this, it is no fun. Develop good habits when you are younger, and you will greatly diminish the chance that any type of repetitive use/strain/hyperextension type injury will develop.