Shoulder pain when wearing bass higher

[machine454]

I wear my bass kind of low ,the top horn is alittle above my waist. I'm getting tired of practicing standing up. I would like to sit for a change.I decided to wear my bass higher so its the same height when Iam sitting or standing. This method is also used by the Billy Sheean having your bass at the same height for standing and sitting. My only problem is I get shoulder pain sitting or standing with my bass at this height. I'am just wondering if anyone else has had this problem . I do have shoulder injuries from hardcore bodybuilding when I was younger if that matters .

[Jazzdogg]

If your strap is adjustable, try it at different lengths until you find a comfortable position.

There isn't one correct way to play a bass or one correct height at which your bass should be positioned relative to your torso. Everybody is different. The objective is to avoid body positions that can lead to repetitive stress injuries and so forth. Forget what looks cool, and do what's kindest to your body in the long run.

Good luck!

[TOOL460002]

ya- i wear mine absurdly high; hangs when i sit. what kind of strap do you have? if you dont have one with quasi-stretchy neoprene on the shoulder area, that could help. however, if youve previously injured the shoulder you hang your bass on, my best guess is thats your problem. adjust accordingly.

[machine454]

Originally Posted by TOOL460002

ya- i wear mine absurdly high; hangs when i sit. what kind of strap do you have? if you dont have one with quasi-stretchy neoprene on the shoulder area, that could help. however, if youve previously injured the shoulder you hang your bass on, my best guess is thats your problem. adjust accordingly.

That"s why I practice currently standing this allows me to play my bass low which works great for me. The only problem
if I want to sit its to high to play and thats wear the shoulder pain happens .

[machine454]

Originally Posted by TOOL460002

ya- i wear mine absurdly high; hangs when i sit. what kind of strap do you have? if you dont have one with quasi-stretchy neoprene on the shoulder area, that could help. however, if youve previously injured the shoulder you hang your bass on, my best guess is thats your problem. adjust accordingly.

Originally Posted by Jazzdogg

If your strap is adjustable, try it at different lengths until you find a comfortable position.

There isn't one correct way to play a bass or one correct height at which your bass should be positioned relative to your torso. Everybody is different. The objective is to avoid body positions that can lead to repetitive stress injuries and so forth. Forget what looks cool, and do what's kindest to your body in the long run.

Good luck!

That why I practice currently standing this allows me to play my bass low which works great for me. The only problem
if I want to sit its to high to play and thats wear the shoulder pain happens .

[Savage_Dreams]

i agree that theres no one way it should be, i totally agree with the billy sheehans opinion on its great having it in the same place while sitting or standing, but you dont have to do it that way. i actually have to have my bass low because of a shoulder injury, i dont have the flexability in my shoulder joint now that i should. the angle my left arm has to go to reach the low frets when i have the bass high is a problem. do whatever feels good!

[machine454]

[quote=Savage_Dreams;10865715]i agree that theres no one way it should be, i totally agree with the billy sheehans opinion on its great having it in the same place while sitting or standing, but you dont have to do it that way. i actually have to have my bass low because of a shoulder injury, i dont have the flexability in my shoulder joint now that i should. the angle my left arm has to go to reach the low frets when i have the bass high is a problem. do whatever feels good![/QUOTE

ok we are on the same page , plucking is the worst for me

[TOOL460002]

ok- just to clarify: you are fine when you are standing and the bass is hanging off you shoulder, but when you sit and it (presumably) just rests on your knee, you are in pain? if that is the case, then that is counter intuitive, but you should really keep an eye on your posture. are you leaning over more when you play sitting down? is there any difference in the way your hands and shoulder take the strain? if you have a position that doesnt hurt, i dont know why you cant do that the whole time. whats wrong with always playing standing up?

[darkstorm]

Originally Posted by Jazzdogg

If your strap is adjustable, try it at different lengths until you find a comfortable position.

There isn't one correct way to play a bass or one correct height at which your bass should be positioned relative to your torso. Everybody is different. The objective is to avoid body positions that can lead to repetitive stress injuries and so forth. Forget what looks cool, and do what's kindest to your body in the long run.

Good luck!

Exactly. And yes wearing the bass high to try to have it in similiar to seating position is putting strain on shoulder that wouldnt be there if worn lower. It neednt be real low, but low enough that bass neck points skyward instead of horizontal for main part. And pick holding or finger plucking hand doesnt have to turn downward and elbow bend more etc which just transfers extra strain on the shoulder as you go thru the wrist to elbow to shoulder joint poisitioning with wearing it high.

Also, its very common in my experience for people with shoulder problems to be either routinely scrunching shoulders up or head and neck down or both. If you do this stop. Do excercises to help you keep head up, & shoulders down as the norm. Rather then scriunching head and neck down or shoulders upward. btw one of the easiest ways to overcome scrunched down head for most peeps is imagine string attached to top of head pulling it upward so neck is extended rather then scrunched down.

Main thing to avoid with shoulder injuries is constant positions that can contribute to further injury or loss of recovery imo. Consult your doctor for pro insight to this for your situation.

[machine454]

Originally Posted by TOOL460002

ok- just to clarify: you are fine when you are standing and the bass is hanging off you shoulder, but when you sit and it (presumably) just rests on your knee, you are in pain? if that is the case, then that is counter intuitive, but you should really keep an eye on your posture. are you leaning over more when you play sitting down? is there any difference in the way your hands and shoulder take the strain? if you have a position that doesnt hurt, i dont know why you cant do that the whole time. whats wrong with always playing standing up?

Standing is fine, it would be nice it sit sometimes , you know long day at the office then go to the gym. I just need to hang my shoulder low for comfort.