Playing more like a cello makes an unbelievable difference for technique

[Chris Fitzgerald]

Originally Posted by GrowlerBox

I think it's just where he keeps it when he uses his glasses to keep his flowing locks out of his eyes.

Yes. It can also be used to strangle sarcastic internet acquaintances.

It looks like a really comfortable playing position, though.

Edit: in the lower photograph (with the glasses), is the trailing edge behind your end pin directly on the floor?

It does look like that, but it doesn't quite touch. On the low stool, the endpin is all the way in, so the angle is pretty steep.

Originally Posted by Roscoe Vahorne

Very interesting thread I've been experimenting with these sitting techniques with positive results also.
Chris,
In the picture you posted (of you?) it looks like there's a velvet hair tie over the strings just above the nut.
Is that some kind of mute?
Thanks

It's a hair scrunchie (ponytail holder) that darkens the "boing" of the open strings - especially the d - and helps keep them from sticking out in relation tot he stopped notes. Without it, lines that cross strings down low always sound kind of interrupted to me.

[Marty Forrer]

Different strokes, I guess. I'm a standing player, although I feel I play better seated. The trouble is several hours of sitting gives me terrible back pain (I have a bulging disc and crumbling vertebrae).
I'm going to investigate playing cello position while standing. I really like the way the left hand fingers sit flatter on the fingerboard in that video (fantastic bass playing there BTW). I've always played conventionally, with the result my fingers have become somewhat deformed, particularly the pinky, from the "curl".
The problem I see is that there will be little to hold the bass from spinning when in a standing position, unless I stand to one side a little and the rear of the upper bout sits against my sternum.
Sorry, I'm just musing here......

[Les Fret]

Originally Posted by Chris Fitzgerald

It's a hair scrunchie (ponytail holder) that darkens the "boing" of the open strings - especially the d - and helps keep them from sticking out in relation tot he stopped notes. Without it, lines that cross strings down low always sound kind of interrupted to me.

Interesting! I always like the sound of the open strings when playing pizz. When playing arco they can sound pretty harsh though.

[Jack Clark]

Originally Posted by Chris Fitzgerald

It's a hair scrunchie (ponytail holder) that darkens the "boing" of the open strings - especially the d - and helps keep them from sticking out in relation tot he stopped notes. Without it, lines that cross strings down low always sound kind of interrupted to me.

Chris, how exactly do you have the scrunchie positioned? Directly on top of the nut? Slightly below it, i.e., on the fingerboard side of the nut? And is it held in position by its own elasticity or did you do something more to keep it in place?

[Chris Fitzgerald]

It's about 1/2" in front of (on the sounding string side of) the nut, held in place by elasticity. At this point, I forget it's on there until someone asks about it.

[Jack Clark]

Originally Posted by Chris Fitzgerald

It's about 1/2" in front of (on the sounding string side of) the nut, held in place by elasticity. At this point, I forget it's on there until someone asks about it.

Thanks for this, Chris. I ended up using a velcro strap with a piece of open-cell foam for the same effect. It's subtle, but it definitely helped tame my open strings—especially my A, which has always been a bit boomy on my odd bass. I was surprised that it did not seem to affect tuning at all. Thanks, again.