Bass position...

[mambo4]

Classical guitar foot stools

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I really am missing my right leg. So, playing while seated is my only choice. All that said, my best advice is to learn to play with the bent wrist, when you're seated (like I did).

When threads about the value of straight wrists pop up, there are always pics posted of famous player with their wrists bent. I can't go so far as to say never play with a bent wrist, but I would encourage avoiding it especially as beginner. The potential harm from CTS using aggressive right hand + bent wrist is real. The pros trotted out as counter examples understand that technique has to be modulated if playing with a bent wrist, to reduce strain on the hand. turn up, pluck lightly. It can be done, but should be done mindfully with attention to bodily stress.

My preference is to always stand. A light instrument (7.5 lbs) on a nice wide strap helps. I advise the OP to check the holy trinity of safe bass techniques

 

[Michael Stanley 2112]

Classical guitar foot stools

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When threads about the value of straight wrists pop up, there are always pics posted of famous player with their wrists bent. I can't go so far as to say never play with a bent wrist, but I would encourage avoiding it especially as beginner. The potential harm from CTS using aggressive right hand + bent wrist is real. The pros trotted out as counter examples understand that technique has to be modulated if playing with a bent wrist, to reduce strain on the hand. turn up, pluck lightly. It can be done, but should be done mindfully with attention to bodily stress.

My preference is to always stand. A light instrument (7.5 lbs) on a nice wide strap helps

Thank you.

Without being too much of a buzzkill, we know I'm not going to live long enough to worry about any long-term damage. I'm not a healthy man, but I do appreciate your advice and input.

I have a drafter's chair with the movable foot rest and I do occasionally try to play that way, but because of my physical limitations, it just doesn't work for me.

 

[4stringfarley]

Can't you play with a strap while sitting on a chair? I do that sometimes, and it allows me to keep my arm straight plus it's similar to playing while standing up.

That's a cool looking Maruszczyk, by the way.

Thanks. And yes. I normally do, prevents it from moving around when I have to use the keyboard or shift. I didn’t feel like grabbing it out of my case for the photo.

 

[mambo4]

I'm not a healthy man, but I do appreciate your advice and input.

My advice was not aimed at you specifically. Clearly you are in a situation where you must adapt in a way that for others may be "sub optimal". But I am happy for you that you have found a way to make your music in spite of your diffculties. Play on!

 

[vvvmmm]

And here I was gonna say, unless yer Lynott or mebbe Wetton, Sting or Crow or the like, in the back, close to the drummer.

 

[KenD]

Try classical guitar position (resting the instrument on your left leg). It may take a while to get comfy, but it will definitely relieve your right hand. Now, depending on your bass, it may be quite a reach for the left hand in the lower register. So, whether to adapt it depends on your priorities and play style (it fits me perfectly... I usually only play frets 5 and up on a six string).

For me this solves the plucking hand/arm position but puts the fretting hand out of position.

 

[smeet]

With a few slight tweaks, the “classical guitar position” makes it so when you sit down or stand up, the bass stays in the same place and orientation relative to your body. There’s a lot of benefit to that,

 

[SteveCS]

Try classical guitar position (resting the instrument on your left leg).
...

+1 on classical position
...

Another +1 for the 'classical' position: IME the electric bass is a dificult compromise - for a really stright right wrist the body goes quite low. But then it is impossible to maintain good hand-shape across the entire neck. So the angle has to come up. The other difficulty is static images are almost invariably taken 'head on' - from this angle my wrist looks quite bent and contorted:

But looking back along the centre-line of my forearm you can see clearly that it is not. The angle of attack in the fingers is created by a single smooth curve through the wrist, hand and all joints in the fingers:

 

[dbsfgyd1]

I have found that my plucking hand is more comfortable when my wrist is close to straight which means the bridge side or the entire bass is lower than most bent wrist players. Sitting on a chair forces this bent wrist position. Obviously, standing gives me freedom to place the bass anywhere I want.
The problem is for practicing some form of sitting is easier on the body. I know you guys will say, "get a stool" but as soon as one has a bent leg under the bridge, it does not matter how high the seating is.
Other than leaning against a wall, is there something that I am unaware of?

I dunno.. seems like you have a choice, making your wrist comfortable or for feet and back comfortable at rehearsals. They do sell instrument stands suitable for playing without the weight of the bass hanging on your shoulder which might make standing at rehearsal a little more bearable.

Generally speaking, I prefer my bass to at the same height sitting or standing. And that is so my belt buckle will fit inside the lower curve of the body which eliminates the possibility of buckle rash.

 

[stevensivak]

I used to think that those folks who play standing up with a low bass were doing it for
appearance sakes... No way I can sit with that same position... need to try a small stool or pile of books to see if that raised leg helps the situation.

Now who made the blue bass shown on page 1?

 

[RGerhart]

I used to think that those folks who play standing up with a low bass were doing it for
appearance sakes... No way I can sit with that same position... need to try a small stool or pile of books to see if that raised leg helps the situation.

Now who made the blue bass shown on page 1?

Ken Smith

 

[Shanannigan]

+1 for classical position.

I don't think raising one leg on a footrest is necessary, and I have seen classical players comment that the raised leg posture can lead to back issues. In the classical guitar world, many players are now using supports which raise the guitar up off of their knee, or using straps.

I think just wearing a strap while sitting is the best option for bass. I think it's also best practice to set your strap length so that your bass sits in the same position whether you're standing or sitting. That way there is no change in the position of your arms, no adjustments in muscle memory, and the instrument will feel the same on your body regardless of whether you're sitting or standing.

 

[HolmeBass]

So where is your right leg?

You can see the cuff of his shorts on his right leg.

 

[Killing Floor]

You’re right. It’s hard to exactly replicate the hold between seated and standing. Even with a strap it’s not exact. I know growing up on violin we practiced standing for that reason. You mostly only perform standing.
I suppose you could make the case to accommodate your own needs. Either learn to play seated as close and comfortable as you can or practice standing or a mix and learn multiple positions. There’s not a wrong if you can make it work.

 

[stevensivak]

Ken Smith

That must be the only painted Ken Smith bass because when I go to his website, not a single one is painted…

 

[Bar Band Bassman]

Google "ergonomic kneeling chair". Might be just the thing.

 

[stevensivak]

That’s an interesting idea!

 

[Rojd]

That's a real nice bass. I love the look of an unlined fretless.

 

[Element Zero]

Stand. Don’t sit.

 

[micguy]

That must be the only painted Ken Smith bass because when I go to his website, not a single one is painted…

Ken got a really good deal on some nice looking wood decades ago, and bought a lot of it. Also, where he is, spray paint is hard to find, as they're discouraging vandalism, so....natural finishes it is.