Do you play bass standing vs sitting?

[birminghambass]

Hey TB, I recently bought a bass that weighs about 10lbs. I'm not strict on weight but this one feels a bit heavy on my shoulder (also not a FSO, so it doesn't balance great). I considered selling it but then reality hit me: I play most of the time sitting down. Before COVID I was a weekend warrior, always playing out. In 2024 I've played 1 gig so far. Most of my playing is through headphones in my music room. Most of that is done sitting down. While I was gigging regularly I NEVER played sitting down. Hated it. Felt wrong. Now that I'm more of a "hobbyist" it's become the norm. There's definitely a difference, ergonomically, that requires adjustments. Anyways, I'm curious to see how TB plays their basses. VOTE!

 

[Scott Grady]

At home practicing mostly sit but live stand

 

[5StringBlues]

Yep

 

[KohanMike]

I have nerve damage in my neck spinal cord from radiation treatments for cancer many years ago, which forces me to sit while I play. With that, I also can't wear my strap over my shoulder around my neck, too painful, so I wrap the strap around my lower back to help balance my 21" scale bass ukes. I recently bought one of the Right Height™ quick adjust Levy straps to make adjusting it easier when I'm sitting.

 

[ViperTim]

To learn tablature and notes of a song I sit down.
To learn how to play said learned notes of a song together with the actual song I stand up.

I’m horrible at both but particularly bad when standing up so I try to focus as much as possible on that.

 

[Oddly]

Not playing out these days, nor likely to be in the foreseeable future. If I was I'd rather stand, depending on the situation. As it is, practice at home is almost always sitting, and I do wear a strap...mostly from habit and for security.

 

[HowieD72]

I don't gig, but If I did, I'd happily stand.

When practicing at home on new material, I wear my strap seated.

When I've got the song(s) down pat, I stand and play.

 

[ajkula66]

Always sitting due to health reasons. Sometimes I wear a strap and other times I don't, haven't really made up my mind in that respect.

 

[Ritter667]

One has to wonder why 13.6% always play sitting when only 9.1% actually prefer sitting down when playing, and the poll is a multiple vote one.

 

[Wyrdlow]

If I'm working on something specific where I need to look at a book or screen, or if I'm making notes then I sit (with a strap) but other than that all my playing is done standing. It just seems more natural to me, somehow.

 

[75Ric]

I stand when playing out and in rehearsals. I'll sit when practicing. I always wear a strap and always have the bass positioned exactly the same whether sitting or standing. I found this to be important.

The weight of the bass is less important than balance for me. If the bass doesn't balance well, and especially if there is any neck dive - even a hint of it, I'm not happy. It took me a while, but I have two main basses: a jazz and a p bass. They are both under 9 lbs and balance perfectly. Standing, sitting, it doesn't matter. Both are a joy to play.

 

[bassfiddlesteve]

Hey TB, I recently bought a bass that weighs about 10lbs. I'm not strict on weight but this one feels a bit heavy on my shoulder

I use a Kliq Aircell strap with my heavier basses and it really helps. You can find them on Amazon.

- Steve

 

[jmattbassplaya]

Usually sit when learning but stand when rehearsing or gigging.

 

[BAG]

In many of my gigs it would be difficult to do what I do standing up....... as I play kick and snare pedals with my feet as well as bass.
If i'm playing with a drummer I always stand.

 

[BismarckHerring]

Depends on the music and the kind of bassline I’m playing. For quiet stuff, I prefer sitting down. For energetic music, I like to stand. When practicing with my band I do whatever I feel like in the moment. Whenever I play a gig (not often), I’ll do what feel appropriate.

 

[Tim Skaggs]

Practice home alone - sitting
Band practice - standing
32 gigs so far in 2024 - 30 standing, 2 sitting.

 

[dune]

Always stood on stage when I was in rock bands and doing the Top-40/Dance thing. Always sat in the pit orchestra on ships.
Used to practice sitting down most of the time, often classical style with bass between legs and always with a strap.
These days I practice mostly standing for some reason. So, I can adjust with no issues, though I don't think this poll is dumb.

 

[Jhengsman]

Since I still walk many miles a day for work I practice music mostly sitting, however since dance is an important part of my skill set I need to know if I can get down a passage with choreography. . So unless I am actually sitting in with some folks who want me in a chair I am up with my own bands on stage.

 

[Ritter667]

Back when I played in a band I always stood up, both at rehearsals and at gigs, even when recording, I did however sit down, without a strap, practicing at home, and for my own home recordings.

Now I prefer to sit down, with a strap attached, and what I will do when occasionally jamming with friends too, or if I found band again, or played live.
Partially because I simply feel more comfortable with playing sitting down, but primarily because my lower back can't handle to stand up in longer periods of time, least of all with an extra load to it.

 

[40Hz]

My feeling is it’s best to practice things the way you’re going to play them. If I’ll be mostly standing I’ll do the bulk of my practicing while standing. If I know I’ll be sitting, I’ll practice more while sitting down. If I don’t have anything coming up I’ll alternate. Same goes for pick vs fingerstyle, or fretted vs fretless. It’s not a good idea (IMO) to let yourself get locked into one thing or routine because every gig is different. So I try to give quality practice time to different techniques, instruments, and playing positions. It never hurts to be adaptable to any situation you find yourself in.