Question from a complete newbie

[kolai]

Hi all, this is my very first post and it relates to the right hand.

Quick blurb first. I'm an adult picking up the bass for the first time (in fact first instrument period).

I haven't signed up with a teacher and haven't even plucked a string yet (that'll probably come in the new year)

I was fishing around on Youtube trying to find a video relating to the right hand and it's positioning. I have heard so many horror stories about wrist issues and would love to avoid them if possible.

so on that note, is there a specific video ro two that people recommend on checking out on Youtube re the right hand ?

I realize that a teacher/lesson in person would be best but at this stage it's not financially possible.

p.s there looks to be barrels of great info here and cant wait to get into it!!!

[Stumbo]

Check out Carol Kay,s website.

[GeoffT]

Todd Johnson Floating Thumb Technique on Youtube.

[JimmyM]

Originally Posted by Stumbo

Check out Carol Kay,s website.

Carol's site is great if you play with a pick. I highly recommend it for all pick players. But she plays exclusively with a pick, so if you're a fingers player, you need to go elsewhere.

Kolai, I'd recommend to just get started playing, and as long as you're not feeling any pain, don't worry so much about your right hand technique.

[fearceol]

Contrary to Jimmy's opinion above, I think you are right to be aware of the benefits of good technique. Even if you are not feeling any pain now, having bent wrists, can cause major problems further down the line. Besides, you need to know what to do if you do experience pain, i.e. possible solutions to the problem that is causing it. Now is the time, before bad habits develop, to do some research into tried and trusted technique. Bear in mind though, that nothing is written in stone, and each person should try to find a technique that suits them, as apart from doing it because a favourite bassist does.

The "Floating Thumb" was mentioned, and IMO it is one worth checking out. Dont neglect the left hand either. Below are links for both. Good luck with it.

Floating Thumb :

Todd Johnson Bass Guitar : Floating thumb technique - YouTube


Left Hand :

Beginner Bass Guitar Lesson: Left Hand Technique - YouTube

[Marty Forrer]

I believe the left hand is more problematic than the right. In 35 years of gigging I have never had a problem with either hand. I use the normal bent wrist right hand technique, and do not think about it. The left hand however needs to be in correct position, not only to prevent CTS, but to enable smooth, flowing playing. This is achieved by having the thumb positioned in the back of the neck and the fingers arched over the strings, a bit like holding a can of Coke. The left arm should be slightly out from the body, as if you were gripping a baseball between your elbow and your side. The instrument needs to be mounted with the strap length such that the bass is in the same position whether you are standing or sitting. This may not look so cool if you're in a punk or metal band, but ya cant have everything!
This is just my opinion, but if you look at the great players, you'll see the majority of them play this way.... Jeff Berlin, Nathan East, Lee Sklar, Victor Wooton etc, etc.

[hrodbert696]

Different positions work for different people. The key thing is not to be putting strain on your wrist or putting it in a cramped, unnatural position, and if it starts to hurt, stop playing and figure out where the stress is coming from. In general, I try to play with my wrist straight, hand and forearm all in one straight line. I ran into trouble at first with my forearm resting on the side of the bass and the hand at practically a right angle hanging down over the strings - I call it the "vulture claw" - but then there are pro players who say they've played that way all their lives and never had a problem.

Check out ChrisK's website "Shaking the grounds," he has a lot of detailed information on health issues. Chris K | Shakin' the grounds

[MalcolmAmos]

Originally Posted by kolai

I was fishing around on Youtube trying to find a video relating to the right hand and it's positioning. I have heard so many horror stories about wrist issues and would love to avoid them if possible.

Sounds like you have yet to get your instrument.
And have been talking and hearing the horror stories.

I've always discounted these stories, along with the one about developing bad habits. Most of us have a few bad habits and still manage to get some good sounds coming from our beast.

I've never developed any wrist pain, if what I'm doing is painful, I figure out if I have to work through it (blisters, etc.) or stop doing what is causing the pain.

Get your bass and go have fun with it. Start playing and see if any of the horror develops. Like I said earlier, I never ran into the horror stuff.

Good luck.

[fearceol]

Originally Posted by MalcolmAmos

Sounds like you have yet to get your instrument.
And have been talking and hearing the horror stories.

I've always discounted these stories, along with the one about developing bad habits. Most of us have a few bad habits and still manage to get some good sounds coming from our beast.

I've never developed any wrist pain, if what I'm doing is painful, I figure out if I have to work through it (blisters, etc.) or stop doing what is causing the pain.

Get your bass and go have fun with it. Start playing and see if any of the horror develops. Like I said earlier, I never ran into the horror stuff.

Good luck.

I respect your opinion, but disagree. While you may have not experienced any problems, I'm sure there are a lot of people here on TB who will admit that they would like to have known about taking care of the hands/wrists, early in their career. By all means have fun playing the bass, but do it in a way that lessens your chances of developing problems later on. Granted, you may not develop any, but why take the chance ? Good technique can be learned fairly fast when someone is starting from scratch, and it wont spoil the fun. In fact it will enhance it IMO.

[Alvaro Martín Gómez A.]

Originally Posted by kolai

I was fishing around on Youtube trying to find a video relating to the right hand and it's positioning. I have heard so many horror stories about wrist issues and would love to avoid them if possible.

so on that note, is there a specific video ro two that people recommend on checking out on Youtube re the right hand ?

Although I must confess that I don't follow his advice, I think that the explanation on the subject given by Gary Willis in this video makes all the sense in the world.

[JimmyM]

fearceol, I'm one of the bigger technique nazis on here. But the fact is he's a beginner, and he's going to take lessons, presumably by someone who knows good technique, so he'll get straightened out there. In the meantime, the only important thing is to be pain free, and it sounds like he knows enough about it to accomplish that goal.

[younggun]

Originally Posted by Alvaro Martín Gómez A.

Although I must confess that I don't follow his advice, I think that the explanation on the subject given by Gary Willis in this video makes all the sense in the world.

2nd time today that video has been posted up...I almost put it in here myself again till I saw your post.

I advocate good technique from the beginning too. It pays off in the long run, both through just being able to play better, and avoiding potential injury.

[fearceol]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

fearceol, I'm one of the bigger technique nazis on here. But the fact is he's a beginner, and he's going to take lessons, presumably by someone who knows good technique, so he'll get straightened out there. In the meantime, the only important thing is to be pain free, and it sounds like he knows enough about it to accomplish that goal.

Fair enough Jimmy ! I obviously misinterpreted your post. My apologies.

[GypsyMan]

Online Bass Lessons at StudyBass.com