I usually learn new songs/compose while sitting, looking directly at the fretboard the whole time, and once I think I have it I start practicing that song standing, (mostly) looking towards an imaginary audience, getting into movements, and occasionally doing backing or even lead vocals if I can pull them off. Band practice is exclusively standing, as is performance.
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Do you stand while practicing bass alone?
- Thread starter Tricia
- Start date
i usually sit when i need more focus (i.e. learn a hard pattern) and then stand when working on a groove by just repeating the same thing ...
I can't really see the fretboard when I stand. Not a big deal to me, but I see how it could be a problem if you where used to looking at it.
We had band practice last night , and I did so much better! I am glad I started standing up to practice at home!
Excellent. Keep at it, before you know it you'll be playing like Geddy...
I do, I just don't look like him...
Excellent. Keep at it, before you know it you'll be playing like Geddy...
LOL! I bet I'll be looking like him...more likely.
LOL! I bet I'll be looking like him...more likely.
If you've seen him lately, of the 3 he's aged the best and maintains a better 'cool factor'. And I know he's had to take care of his diet to help keep his voice working right.
This should definitely be a poll...
I find it extremely uncomfortable to wear my instrument as high up as so many bassists seem to do. So standing is really the only option for me. Maybe I could sit if I got a barstool and kept my right leg straight.
I find it extremely uncomfortable to wear my instrument as high up as so many bassists seem to do. So standing is really the only option for me. Maybe I could sit if I got a barstool and kept my right leg straight.
Something like that, for me. I play slap and have the bass positioned up high. There's not much difference sitting or standing, because when I sit the bass is still suspended from the strap and doesn't rest on my leg.
I found that if your using proper hand tech.
It does not matter, if your standing, or sitting.
You can always a just your strap.
I play in my room 90% of the time, I have a waterbed and no seats, so sitting is not an option.
As such I never really learnt to play sitting down, I have tried it before, but it just feels foreign, also I have a shorter body and longer legs/arms, so playing sitting just feels two cramped up.
If I want to learn something new and see the fretboard while im doing it, I put my left leg up on an amp or something and rest the bass on that so I can see it well while playing.
As such I never really learnt to play sitting down, I have tried it before, but it just feels foreign, also I have a shorter body and longer legs/arms, so playing sitting just feels two cramped up.
If I want to learn something new and see the fretboard while im doing it, I put my left leg up on an amp or something and rest the bass on that so I can see it well while playing.
Sometimes sit. Sometimes stand. Depending on how I feel or what I'm practicing.
Material (covers or originals) that I'm already solid or touching up, I stand, so I can build endurance standing and work on my stage moves!
Shedding new material I sit to concentrate on learning the song, technique, etc.
Material (covers or originals) that I'm already solid or touching up, I stand, so I can build endurance standing and work on my stage moves!
Shedding new material I sit to concentrate on learning the song, technique, etc.
I'm a newb who's been practicing sitting down and I just started to stand. It's done two things. My right hand finger pluck is getting better because it's easier to get my elbow up. I have long arms and my elbow tends to drop when I sit. Secondly, I can't stare at the fretboard so much so it's forcing me to trust where my fingers are going and listen to make sure my left hand was correct.
I sit, exclusively. It's just more comfortable and I don't have to worry about a strap digging into my shoulder. Maybe I'll practice standing while playing more when I get a more comfortable strap. Since I can put all the weight of the bass on my thigh, I don't need a strap while sitting.
I guess Im like you Tricia. Work too much and too long to want to stand while practicing, plus when standing alone at home I get bored....no incentive to keep standing, especially when the couch is right there. But If I have the energy on any particular day I'll mix the two...stand til Im bored, sit a bit...stand...sit. Ive noticed several songs we do are quite physically challenging while sitting, soo much easier when standing. Even at rehearsal I'll mix the two, as do my guitard boys, sit / stand, but I admit when mixing the two, theres a moment or two where I need to adjust, mentally and position-wise, but I manage. My advice: Practice makes perfect in everything. Rock on!
