Bass position while sitting.

[totalnoob]

Hey all,

when I play the bas sitting, I put it in my lap, instead of having it on my (right, for righthanded folks) knee/thigh. But every video on YT I watched shows people placing it on the thigh/knee. The reason I have it in my lap is because I played the classical guitar as a kid, and now having a bass in my lap the same way, feels very natural. I tried placing it on my right thigh, and it works fine, but my muscle memory is happier when the bass is in my lap.

Is that such an obviously bad place to play it? Am I an outlier?

 

[Les Fret]

Arm position while sitting

 

[Pilgrim]

On the inside of my left thigh, whatever that means.

 

[totalnoob]

On the inside of my left thigh, whatever that means.

That sounds like the guitar body is sitting in your lap, like in my case. Which I thought is rare for bassists.

 

[totalnoob]

Arm position while sitting

In both photos the bass is on the thigh. I am unsure what you're trying to say.

By the way: with the legs crossed like that, and the bass resting on a major artery, that position looks like it's blocking blood flow to the leg.

 

[SteveCS]

...
Am I an outlier?
...

Probably not - just about anyone can upload videos to YouTube and there are no guarantees of quality or authority.

In both photos the bass is on the thigh. I am unsure what you're trying to say.

By the way: with the legs crossed like that, and the bass resting on a major artery, that pisition looks like it's blocking blood flow to the leg.

You should read down the thread. I think you will find a lot more people prefer the 'lap' position than you might think, and IMHO that is for good ergonomic reasons, including those crossed legs Incidentally, do you also use a strap when sitting?

 

[Les Fret]

In both photos the bass is on the thigh. I am unsure what you're trying to say.

I was trying to say we had a similar discussion here yesterday, if you read the replies.

 

[totalnoob]

I was trying to say we had a similar discussion here yesterday, if you read the replies.

OK, but there is a very good reason I didn't identify that thread as relevant to me (hence this thread happened): the title - I probably scanned the top/latest posts in this subforum and "Arm position" didn't catch my attention.

 

[totalnoob]

I was trying to say we had a similar discussion here yesterday, if you read the replies.

Holy crap, how did I miss this comment:

But the 'elephant in the room' is your crossed legs and bass on right thigh. You will get a much better posture by having both feet on the ground with the bass on your left thigh and lower body between your legs, as in a classical guitar position.

So............... I am not entirely weird!

 

[Naigewron]

I assume "in your lap" means the classical guitar position, and not literally just laying in your lap?

I've tried that on a few occasions. It does make some right hand work easier, but the left hand has to reach so far out and up that it gets really uncomfortable after a little while.

So yeah, I almost always have it on my right thigh, rock guitar style.

 

[totalnoob]

Incidentally, do you also use a strap when sitting?

I used to, initially when I (re)started bassing, but now I don't bother anymore. Even if the bass has a strap already, I just leave it hanging. Mind you, I do like playing standing, also. Depends on my mood, physical condition at the moment. But when I feel like sit-bassing, I usually don't switch to standing in that session.

 

[totalnoob]

I've tried that on a few occasions. It does make some right hand work easier, but the left hand has to reach so far out and up that it gets really uncomfortable after a little while.

But it does make it comfortable for the right hand, check this out:

So, it depends on your body and what you are trying to achieve, I guess? Both positions have some advantages.

 

[Free Bassing]

Try this

 

[SteveCS]

I used to, initially when I (re)started bassing, but now I don't bother anymore. Even if the bass has a strap already, I just leave it hanging. Mind you, I do like playing standing, also. Depends on my mood, physical condition at the moment. But when I feel like sit-bassing, I usually don't switch to standing in that session.

The reason I mention it is two-fold. Firstly, in the sitting position the electric bass is a lot heavier than an acoustic guitar. Without a strap I have to stabliise it more with (mainly) my right forearm, which I consider an impediment. Having a strap take the load frees things up - my left leg isn't actually taking any of the weight and my feet are flat to the floor and my overall stance is more balanced, 'open' and relaxed. If I don't have the strap I find myself with the left foot on tip-toe (or on a box) to get the bass to the right position and my back slightly twisted. Secondly, and perhaps more importantly, using a strap ensures the bass is in the same position relative to my body/arms/hands be I standing or sitting. This keeps the hand-shape and posture (what some call 'muscle memory') intact which is my vital to me as a primarily fretless player.

YMMV

 

[totalnoob]

The reason I mention it is two-fold. Firstly, in the sitting position the electric bass is a lot heavier than an acoustic guitar. Without a strap I have to stabliise it more with (mainly) my right forearm, which I consider an impediment. Having a strap take the load frees things up - my left leg isn't actually taking any of the weight and my feet are flat to the floor and my overall stance is more balanced, 'open' and relaxed. If I don't have the strap I find myself with the left foot on tip-toe (or on a box) to get the bass to the right position and my back slightly twisted. Secondly, and perhaps more importantly, using a strap ensures the bass is in the same position relative to my body/arms/hands be I standing or sitting. This keeps the hand-shape and posture (what some call 'muscle memory') intact which is my vital to me as a primarily fretless player.

YMMV

I agree with all of that. But I do always have something under my left foot, so the bass is in the exact position I want it to be, and it seems better adjusted than if I relied on a strap while stitting. And as for keeping the same position sitting and standing, I didn't find this to be a big issue. Yes, there is a slight difference in relative position torso-bass, but not big, and the strap doesn't help in adjusting that position where I need it to. Meaning, whether I have a strap or not, the difference in position that I care about, cannot be neutralized.

 

[Krakmann]

Salud!

I had to take the bass to look if I'm a thigher or a laper. Both. It sits on the thigh and the body rests on the belly.

 

[75Ric]

When sitting, I place the body of the bass between my legs, just like a classical guitar player. The neck extends out at a roughly 45-degree angle off the body. It may help to raise the left leg (if right-handed). I prefer this position because it's a helluva lot more comfortable than having the bass rest on the right thigh - that just feels so awkward for me. I feel like I am always twisting to the right. Also, this is the same position I play when standing - the bass is right in front of the body, rather than off to the side. I use a strap when sitting, as well. This was taught to me by my bass teacher.

 

[Fernando Costa]

None of the options. When I play sitting down I keep the bass suspended by the strap, as if I were standing up.

 

[totalnoob]

It may help to raise the left leg (if right-handed).

Always!

I prefer this position because it's a helluva lot more comfortable than having the bass rest on the right thigh - that just feels so awkward for me.

I have the same feeling, but it's not impossible for me to play with the bass on the thigh. It's not even unconfortable as such, it's just my body tells me it's wrong on some level. I guess after a while it would have an effect on blood flow to the right leg, at which point it would be "more than just a suggestion"

 

[RoadieP]

Classical position, generally