standing, whats wrong with me?

[metalbass66]

i play metal for a group im in and we pick a "set list" and then we go off to practice our parts til next time. when im at home i sit down and learn the parts perfectly, then at rehearsal i stand up to play and i have trouble picking the fast 16th note lines.my pick just grazes over the sting like nothing happened (but i do get a cool zippy noise). im really hoping its not my strap length. is there anything i can do to fix it?

(if this should go in the technique forum please move it, i figured it affected my performance so its here)

[Modo74]

Its your strap length. I would shorten it so your bass is a little closer to where it would be when you sit down.

Alternatively, whilst you're learning the tracks at home, stand up. And practice that way all the time.

[Stay Gold 1337]

it's probably your strap length


edit: haha looks like someone beat me to it

[metalbass66]

i kindof figured but i really hoped it wasn't. a hung guitar is kindof the image, but if you cant play...

[metalbass66]

any metal people out there who were it low have any ideas?

[Modo74]

Does this qualify as an idea? I think its probably the only way round the problem

Originally Posted by Modo74

Alternatively, whilst you're learning the tracks at home, stand up. And practice that way all the time.

[metalbass66]

yeah that is what i'll probably do but if there is a trick or something i dont know that could help me out i'd like to find it

[jakusx]

I play metal with a BEAD tuned P-Bass and I used to learn everything sitting down, but you can't get the same speed because you are relaxing and leaning on it.
Just stand up and play.

[Da LadY In Red]

Yeah man, it goes without saying that you need to practice how you play. If you're playing standing up with a really low strap, then you need to play that way too.

[Hawaii Islander]

+1 on standing up while practicing at home. Shortening the strap length is not a good idea in my view. It's just a matter of getting used to and using consistent hand positioning for the picking hand.

[MoD_Scotty]

I always practice standing up.

[LowBSix]

Originally Posted by metalbass66

i play metal for a group im in and we pick a "set list" and then we go off to practice our parts til next time. when im at home i sit down and learn the parts perfectly, then at rehearsal i stand up to play and i have trouble picking the fast 16th note lines.my pick just grazes over the sting like nothing happened (but i do get a cool zippy noise). im really hoping its not my strap length. is there anything i can do to fix it?

(if this should go in the technique forum please move it, i figured it affected my performance so its here)

I HAND THAT SAME REVELATION AT THE AGE OF 21 AND YES IT WAS MY STRAP LENGTH.

Adjust your strap so the bass is at the same height as when sitting.

IMAGINE NOT LOOKING LIKE EVERY OTHER BASSIST WEARING A LOW SLUNG BASS, MEANING YOU'LL BE UNIQUE AND YOU'LL PLAY MUCH BETTER!!!!

NOT PLAYING WELL IS NOT COOL!!!!!
Best to ya!!!
RG

[Basshole]

Dude, if strap height made or broke you, then Billy Sheehan would be hosed.

Wear your bass where you can actually play it. Worry more about the music, and less about "show business"...looking mad cool while totally sucking isn't gonna get you any chicks at the gig.

[SundanceChile]

+1 to all above, and for the record, Shavo from System Of A Down stated in an interview something along the lines of "*$*@ looking cool, I want to play it right", so he moved his strap up.

[edbutler3]

Or, instead of always practicing standing up, you could try to find a seated position where you can have the bass hanging from the strap basically in the same position as when you are standing. In other words, don't let the bass sit on top of your thigh... This works for me.

[LowBSix]

AMEN TO PLAYING WELL IN A NATURAL HAND POSITION FOR NO FUTURE SURGERY!!!

TAKE A GOOD LOOK AT YOUR WRIST AND HAND POSITION WHEN YOU LO-SLINGING AND PUT THE BASS BEHIND YOUR BACK WHILE KEEPING THE HANDS IN THE SAME POSITION...YOU'LL AS IF YOU HAVE "SPECIAL NEEDS" LOOK AT THE HAND POSITION OF ANY HIGH SLUNG PLAYER.... THEY ALWAYS LOOK RELAXED=KEWL, which BLOWS COOL out of the WATER!

[Basshole]

[Siegy]

You also mentioned that you play with a pick. the "zippy" noise is the pick not being parallel to the strings. Maybe change the way you hold the pick and you won't have to shorten your strap.

[Depth_Charge]

I feel a few Cannibal Corpse videos may assist you (WARNING: Metal lyrics and music):

Hammer Smashed Face live:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tYgCBJP_3jU

Note the position of Alex's hands.

Frantic Disembowelment, played sitting:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QOb6JSQd-Qw

Note the position of Alex's hands.

The idea is to match your sitting and standing position as much as possible...or just stand to practice.

[Geddyfleaharris]

Originally Posted by Basshole

That's funny. LOL