Bass keeps sliding over my torso

**BullHorn** · #1 12-14-2009, 05:16 PM

After playing self-taught for a few years I decided I should look at my playing and try to refine it.

The thing that bothered me the most was the position of my picking hand, lying glued to the bass's body with a 90 degree to the forearm. OK, I raised my shoulder and straightened the wrist up but it caused a new problem. The bass is sliding over my torso whenever I move/slide up and down around the fingerboard. I'm seriously clueless and it's annoying me. It doesn't happen when I'm shirtless because the bass sticks to my body, but I'm never playing shirtless (Was just testing :P).

I need your insight.

73jbass · #2 12-14-2009, 05:21 PM

Perhaps a picture of what you're talking about might help us with a fix.

**BullHorn** · #3 12-14-2009, 05:27 PM

Don't have a picture right now, but my bass hangs similar to this guy (Not as cool though :x):

Whenever I move/slide up the fretboard, the bass's body is forced to move to my right and vice versa.

MEKer · #4 12-14-2009, 05:28 PM

90 degree angle on the picking hand/arm? Sounds like you are wearing it way too high for starters.

If I may suggest, try wearing the bass so your belt line is just over center line of the bass body.
Your hand/arm should be just about 45 degrees from your upper arm hanging almost straight down.

That's how I have done it for 30 years with never a strain, twinge or awkwardness. And I can play for hours.

Use that as a starting point and adjust from there.
Hope it helps you and let us know.

**BullHorn** · #5 12-14-2009, 05:37 PM

I'm comfortable with the current height, the problem is with the bass not sticking to one spot but sliding all over my torso as I am playing. ._.

Phalex · #6 12-14-2009, 05:40 PM

It's either a strap issue, or your wearing a shirt with a very low friction coefficient. Try going shirtless like the guy in the photo. I betch once your belly gets drenched in sweat, your navel will act just like a suction cup.

**BullHorn** · #7 12-14-2009, 05:42 PM

That would've been awesome, but not so much for our blues/light-rock band. :P

Or winter.

fenderfunker · #8 12-14-2009, 05:49 PM

Mine also swings around to my right side. It didn't used to when I was younger and my stomach was flatter. Damn beer...doh!

PBass101 · #9 12-14-2009, 05:53 PM

...Maybe you could just hold it still? You know, with your fretting hand?

Sorry, I'm just having a hard time imagining exactly what might be going on.

**BullHorn** · #10 12-14-2009, 05:57 PM

How can I hold it still and move around the fretboard at the same time? If I play in one position, I have no problems.

fenderfunker · #11 12-14-2009, 05:57 PM

If you put velcro on your stomach and the back of your bass, you mightn't even need your strap.

**BullHorn** · #12 12-14-2009, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fenderfunker

Mine also swings around to my right side. It didn't used to when I was younger and my stomach was flatter. Damn beer...doh!

WHAT THE!

Whenever I tuck my belly in, everything is fine.

Man, this sucks.

mccartneyman · #13 12-14-2009, 06:05 PM

Sounds like you need a strap that has some friction. I use a 3 1/2" wide padded leather Levys. Never slides.

PBass101 · #14 12-14-2009, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BullHorn

How can I hold it still and move around the fretboard at the same time? If I play in one position, I have no problems.

So, are you pulling the bass with you when you move your fretting hand to a new position?

fenderfunker · #15 12-14-2009, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mccartneyman

Sounds like you need a strap that has some friction. I use a 3 1/2" wide padded leather Levys. Never slides.

This man is a genius. I'm gonna try this too. Thanks mccartneyman. BTW, is that a super hero name? I'm trying to imagine it.

Marton · #16 12-14-2009, 06:17 PM

I use a Neotech strap, and I find that the bass don't move enough with it, maybe it could do some miracle for you !

MEKer · #17 12-14-2009, 07:45 PM

avoid shiny shirts

fenderfunker · #18 12-14-2009, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MEKer

avoid shiny shirts

I think that's a good rule in general, unless you're in the Bee Gees.

grumpyjfc · #19 12-14-2009, 09:27 PM

+1 for the neotech strap, I have three of them. BTW, where did you get my picture?

fdeck · #20 12-14-2009, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mccartneyman

Sounds like you need a strap that has some friction. I use a 3 1/2" wide padded leather Levys. Never slides.

Wide leather strap FTW. I think it's vital for technique to make sure that you don't have to hold your bass still with your left hand, otherwise shifting will always be clumsy.