Wrist position when playing fingerstyle

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Sorry if there's already a thread that deals with this, I couldn't see it.

Anyway, I was just wondering about this, when I play I bend my wrist, I used to keep it straight and have my elbow sticking up, but I find it easier to play when my wrist is bent, I've heard here and there that doing this might cause tedonitis in the future, I basically just want to know, will it? Or am I safe enough playing as I am?

Thanks.

[PSPookie]

Which hand are you talking about?

[tZer]

A slight bend won't promote RSI - you don't way an extreme bend, but your wrist is flexible for a reason and a little bending/flexing is OK - but it's more than just the angle of the wrist - it's your technique as a whole.

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Originally Posted by PSPookie

Which hand are you talking about?

My picking hand.

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Originally Posted by tZer

A slight bend won't promote RSI - you don't way an extreme bend, but your wrist is flexible for a reason and a little bending/flexing is OK - but it's more than just the angle of the wrist - it's your technique as a whole.

ok, think I've got a little bit of adjusting to do. I've never experienced any pain or fatigue in my wrist or anything but it's bent a little too acutely I think.

[tZer]

You should consider getting a teacher - a good one - not just some guitar dude who'll show you some riffs - and have them show you the proper technique to avoid RSI's. It's a pretty simple rule of thumb that you shouldn't be bending your wrists in an exaggerated/stressful fashion, but if you are new to playing any position may feel awkward and possibly incorrect. So you may actually find what would be considered 'correct', but it may feel odd. You need someone who can observe you in person and help you adjust to be sure you're doing it right.

I'm getting a little mileage out of this pic today - but it shows good hand position for both plucking and fingering...



Some will say you should lift your plucking arm's elbow more - and even the finger arm's elbow - and when I'm playing I do - and I don't... but the wrists should generally be near these positions and be able to flex as needed within reason.

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hmm, my wrist position isn't too much different.

[fearceol]

Have a look at the "Floating Thumb" technique here :

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

[John Wentzien]

Left elbow "IN"....right elbow "Out"

[bass12]

I play with my right wrist at a pretty sharp angle compared to many. I've considered my wrist angle at various points in my "playing career" and come to the conclusion that, for my style, the angle is not a problem. I've been playing for over twenty-two years and never had any significant issues with either of my hands/wrists/arms. The thing is, everyone is built a little differently. I have long forearms and for me to play with my wrist at a straighter angle I would have to wear my bass around my crotch (or lift my right shoulder) which I'm not prepared to do. It's important that you listen to your body more than what anyone else has to say about how you should be playing. When it comes to hand positions your body will usually let you know pretty quickly if you are doing it harm. Unless you are experiencing discomfort with your current positioning I wouldn't worry. You're probably better off focusing on maintaining good overall posture when you play (something a lot of players seem to overlook).

[John Wentzien]

Originally Posted by bass12

I play with my right wrist at a pretty sharp angle compared to many. I've considered my wrist angle at various points in my "playing career" and come to the conclusion that, for my style, the angle is not a problem. I've been playing for over twenty-two years and never had any significant issues with either of my hands/wrists/arms. The thing is, everyone is built a little differently. I have long forearms and for me to play with my wrist at a straighter angle I would have to wear my bass around my crotch (or lift my right shoulder) which I'm not prepared to do. It's important that you listen to your body more than what anyone else has to say about how you should be playing. When it comes to hand positions your body will usually let you know pretty quickly if you are doing it harm. Unless you are experiencing discomfort with your current positioning I wouldn't worry. You're probably better off focusing on maintaining good overall posture when you play (something a lot of players seem to overlook).

Good point!

[tZer]

Originally Posted by bass12

I play with my right wrist at a pretty sharp angle compared to many. I've considered my wrist angle at various points in my "playing career" and come to the conclusion that, for my style, the angle is not a problem. I've been playing for over twenty-two years and never had any significant issues with either of my hands/wrists/arms. The thing is, everyone is built a little differently. I have long forearms and for me to play with my wrist at a straighter angle I would have to wear my bass around my crotch (or lift my right shoulder) which I'm not prepared to do. It's important that you listen to your body more than what anyone else has to say about how you should be playing. When it comes to hand positions your body will usually let you know pretty quickly if you are doing it harm. Unless you are experiencing discomfort with your current positioning I wouldn't worry. You're probably better off focusing on maintaining good overall posture when you play (something a lot of players seem to overlook).

I think you are right to say listen to your body, but there are reasons you don't want to encourage someone to play with a 'very bent' wrist that have to do with how the tendons run through the channel and the fact that bending the wrist AND using your fingers over extended periods of time can (maybe not for you) but it CAN lead to tendinitis and carpel tunnel syndrome.

Yes, good posture is good too - but bad technique is generally bad technique and if someone is asking for guidance, it's not a great idea to say, "whatever works for you".

I'll repeat the suggestion that you find an experienced player/teacher and ask them to evaluate your technique and offer you advice based on what they see. Otherwise here what you are going to get is basically a description of what good technique is and you're going to have to hope you both understand it and are doing it correctly without really knowing.

[John Wentzien]

Hard to go wrong with "wrists as straight as possible"

[bass12]

Originally Posted by tZer

I think you are right to say listen to your body, but there are reasons you don't want to encourage someone to play with a 'very bent' wrist that have to do with how the tendons run through the channel in and the fact that bending the wrist AND using your fingers over extended periods of time can (maybe not for you) but it CAN lead to tendinitis and carpel tunnel syndrome.

Yes, good posture is good too - but bad technique is generally bad technique and if someone is asking for guidance, it's not a great idea to say, "whatever works for you".

I'll repeat the suggestion that you find an experienced player/teacher and ask them to evaluate your technique and offer you advice based on what they see. Otherwise here what you are going to get is basically a description of what good technique is and you're going to have to hope you both understand it and are doing it correctly without really knowing.

Point well taken, and I agree with you. There are standards regarding good technique and I think it's important to be aware of what is generally accepted as "good technique". I do, however, think that people often fail to take into account some of the differences in physical make-up that can be a factor in determining playing comfort. Of course, I might be back on this forum in five years complaining about my carpal tunnel syndrome (but I suspect that would just as likely be the result of my poor typing technique )...

[tZer]

@bass12 - and I get you're point too - and it's a good one, to listen to your body. I know from watching my kids try to finger the short scale Bronco we have at home that beginners won't be able to tell the difference between 'uncomfortable due to the fact that this is all new to me' or 'uncomfortable due to something that might cause injury'.

When you are new to an instrument - like bass - the physical nature of playing it is all foreign and can and will feel off, awkward - even uncomfortable - even when using correct technique. So leaving it up to them to evaluate the difference without guidance could lead them to develop bad technique but think that's just how it feels to play bass - that is until it's too late and they have a nice RSI to contend with. We can all teach ourselves to do something improperly and get used to it.

[bass12]

Originally Posted by tZer

@bass12 - and I get you're point too - and it's a good one, to listen to your body. I know from watching my kids try to finger the short scale Bronco we have at home that beginners won't be able to tell the difference between 'uncomfortable due to the fact that this is all new to me' or 'uncomfortable due to something that might cause injury'.

When you are new to an instrument - like bass - the physical nature of playing it is all foreign and can and will feel off, awkward - even uncomfortable - even when using correct technique. So leaving it up to them to evaluate the difference without guidance could lead them to develop bad technique but think that's just how it feels to play bass - that is until it's too late and they have a nice RSI to contend with. We can all teach ourselves to do something improperly and get used to it.

Very true. For some reason I made the assumption that the OP already had some experience as a bassist (my fault there).

[HaVIC5]

How convenient, I just posted a video of me explaining how to arrive at a save physical approach to the right hand using the "neutral position," the same way I explained in my video on left hand technique.

http://playbassnow.com/speed-techniq...and-technique/

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Originally Posted by bass12

Very true. For some reason I made the assumption that the OP already had some experience as a bassist (my fault there).

Just to set this straight, I've been playing five years, but only fingerstyle in about the last 2 years.

Anyway, I think I'll stick with what I've got for the moment, it works for me and it's comfortable, but I might seek advice in the future. Thanks for the suggestions.

[JimmyM]

Originally Posted by bass12

Point well taken, and I agree with you. There are standards regarding good technique and I think it's important to be aware of what is generally accepted as "good technique". I do, however, think that people often fail to take into account some of the differences in physical make-up that can be a factor in determining playing comfort.

i also think people sometimes over-estimate these differences and take a "but -I'M- different" stance when they're really not. for example, i have a relative who likes to say, "six beers is pisswater to me." to which i say, "then how come you're a stark raving a-hole after six beers?" then he says, "shut the **** up" and opens another one

but if you're not in any pain, obviously you're doing something right, so to a certain degree, you're right. it's probably nothing to worry about. ever see stanley clarke's right wrist? it's totally cocked and looks like it should be very bothersome, but he says it isn't, though he does admit he should have kept it straight. however, good technique is a sure-fire way to keep yourself pain-free.

[Codymb]

You really don't want to bend your wrist at all. It will restrict your playing. You may feel more comfortable with your elbow down but it is inhibiting you.

Check out this video.

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

Gary Willis explains this concept and demonstrates its effectiveness.