Wrist Pain & Strap Height

Typically people say to have your strap height the same sitting and standing, but keep in mind we're all built differently, which inherently will mean that some of us will have different ratios to torso and arm length.

Put your non-fretting hand somewhere on your gut that feels natural, as if you were grabbing your beer gut or abs. Wherever you're comfortable and feels natural is probably where the bass will belong.

I have a similar problem, but due to a prominent spaghetti eating, beer drinking, not running for almost a decade belly. So, i'm kind of stuck sometimes: either I put the bass well over the "watermelon", or somehow over it. Plus, I'm pretty tall, so my angles are all weird. So, and not to steal the thread, but adding to it, Is there anyone really pro, and really tall and big who can help us find a sweet spot not to hurt the wrist and/opr the technique.

I wouldn't worry so much about height, depth of belly, or any other dimension. I think the key thing to focus on is ensuring that you're not flexing your right wrist. You didn't mention where the pain is located, but I'll take a guess that it's carpal-tunnel related?

For the FT technique - for any technique, actually...although I often break this rule myself - you really want to prevent any angle between your forearm and hand - a straight wrist, just like a piano player's - will prevent most types of wrist pain IMO. Now, if you compromise elsewhere, you then risk back, shoulder, neck, etc.. pain, so definitely experiment to see what works best for you. The baseline I've learned and always used, if it helps, is to adjust the strap height so you're "wearing" the bass in the same position whether you're standing or sitting. Combine that goal with the position of the instrument body to ensure a straight wrist, and I bet you'll be pain-free. Good luck!

Strap height is just a means to an end.

Your bass should sit where it allows 2 things:
1.) Both your wrists can be kept more or less straight
2.) your arms bend at the elbows more or less 90 degrees.

I would only worry about sitting vs standing strap lengths if you gig while sitting. Just practice how you gig, be it sitting or standing.

edit: I don't use the floating thumb technique for the most part, so no guarantees on my advice.

mambo4 said:

edit: I don't use the floating thumb technique for the most part, so no guarantees on my advice.

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No worries, still holds true for floating thumb and other techniques.

I just shortened my strap and find the bass easier to play. I'm 5' 7", but I wear a 35" sleeve.

Translation: My arms are as long as a lot of guys who are as tall as 6' 4".

Snerek said:

this advice worked perfect for me. As mentioned, i've been very close to getting the technique i want but as gigs i've naturally defaulted back to bad habits.

That being said, i found that putting the center of my bass on my belly button(wearing it straight on - not to the side) really helped! That along with not letting my heavy Marcus Miller headstock drop down, and i'm trying to learn a new plucking style. ( similar to banjo or classical guitar )

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If I am following you correctly I think this is the best advice. I do exactly the same thing only I tend to be sitting more often than standing. I play floating thumb but use the thumb with three fingers and play as you describe (at least 75% of the time I am in fingerstyle mode) in a very classical guitar way. I always use a strap even sitting and the bass really doesn't rest on either leg (the only real departure from a classical guitar) but rather hangs by the strap between my legs.

Unlike the previous poster I have short arms for someone 5' 6" so this is of course working for me and I can't say it is right for everyone. However it will allow for 90 degree angles for the elbows and still allow for comfortably straight wrists, good access up and down the neck. I am a short armed player with small hands and don't sweat my widely spaced seven string's aircraft carrier sized neck one little bit.

When I stand the bass ends up in about the same place so there is no dramatic difference as I am not used to resting it even when I sit. I am sure that this isn't for everyone but speaking only for myself you are absolutely on the right track IMHO.

Spin

hmmm.. it seems most logical to have the bass the same height as when sitting, as when standing. that way, if u practice sitting down, the angles dont change much. sit with your bass, adjust the strap so its taught. me, i wear mine low to look cool,lol. high basses just dont look macho. my wrist used to sting, real bad. i would have to stop playing. if you play the bass with your fingertips, you will have to bend your wrist alot. i play with the flats of my fingers.i pretty much hold down the string directly under the center of my fingernail. i aint doing no chords so why play it like a guitarist? guitarists play like a ballerina on their tippy toes. besides, playing that way automatically mutes most of the strings. give it a try to see if it stops the wrist pain. johnny a -staind

staindbass said:

hmmm.. it seems most logical to have the bass the same height as when sitting, as when standing. that way, if u practice sitting down, the angles dont change much. sit with your bass, adjust the strap so its taught. me, i wear mine low to look cool,lol. high basses just dont look macho. my wrist used to sting, real bad. i would have to stop playing. if you play the bass with your fingertips, you will have to bend your wrist alot. i play with the flats of my fingers.i pretty much hold down the string directly under the center of my fingernail. i aint doing no chords so why play it like a guitarist? guitarists play like a ballerina on their tippy toes. besides, playing that way automatically mutes most of the strings. give it a try to see if it stops the wrist pain. johnny a -staind

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wut?