Do you think the current right wrist position is ergonomic?

[freatles]

Do you think the position and angle for the right hand strumming (or whatever) the strings is ergonomic?

I'm looking at all these hundreds of videos with bass players with their right wrists in almost an right angle (~80-90 degrees), and keep thinking that can't be good! Even catch myself doing that sometimes.

Seems to me that the electric bass body shape is incorrect for ergonomics? Or will keeping the wrist in an angle be ok, and not cause problems? Help me figure this out.

 

[Slevage]

Lots of gigs and playing. No problems.

FWIW---- I wear my BG very high to keep my left wrist straight.

 

[kcole4001]

Everything's a compromise, and everyone's different.

I can't play mine when the top of the body is above the belt line.
I've tried it just to see, and it's a huge no go.
It's awkward and my right shoulder starts to hurt terribly from my right arm being held up at an angle.

As far as the 90 degree right wrist style, again no go at all.
I can go maybe 2 minutes tops before my arm cramps up really badly.

I've never had an issue with my left wrist cramping or becoming sore, so it's really down to what works for each person.
I've been playing that way daily since 1979, the longest single gig was just over 6 hours play time all told excluding breaks (fortunately that was a one time thing!).

There's no right or wrong way.

 

[Matt Dean]

56 yo and still no problem.

 

[Teacher]

I use a pick...so no problem!

 

[Jazz Ad]

My wrist are straight when I play so no issue.

 

[JimmyM]

No angle in my right wrist. I wear it fairly low, though.

 

[MrTaff]

I keep my wrist straight, sitting or standing, so it's not an issue for me but I keep seeing the same thing, bass really high & right wrist bent 90 degrees, looks really uncomfortable to me.

 

[Lo-E]

Just about 28 years of playing with a bent wrist and no problem yet. You're probably right that a straight wrist would be healthier - better for circulation, range of motion, etc... - but I can't say that I feel the "broken" wrist position has held me back in any way.

 

[Remus_Redbone]

What is the current right wrist position? Replys so far indicate it's all over the place.

 

[SnappyFerret]

I have carpal tunnel syndrome, so I make a point to keep both left and right wrists straight, or else my fingers go numb. The straight right wrist has the added advantage of letting you play a lot of different body sizes and styles in a bass that are otherwise uncomfortable to play with your right wrist at a 90 degree angle.

 

[chris_b]

IME, the wrist angle doesn't matter if you play with a soft touch.

 

[lz4005]

What is the current right wrist position? Replys so far indicate it's all over the place.

Exactly. It's a bad question. The same bass can be played ergonomically or unergonomically, depending on strap length and player technique.

 

[zortation]

The more you use your plucking hand, the more important it is to give those muscles and ligaments a straight path. Only the fingers and thumb of my plucking hand touch the bass.....it takes some adjustment at first, but it makes you a stronger better player, if that's any concern of yours, I know it's one for me.



The reason you're getting so many different opinions is because most guys who do it don't play very intricate stuff. And if they do, they won't be for long!

 

[smperry]

moved to technique

 

[Jefff]

My wrist has never complained.

 

[lowfreqgeek]

I generally use more of a floating thumb technique, and I generally play 5 or 6 string basses, so my right hand wrist can't sit on the edge of the body all bent over like that. Absolutely no problem.

Also us a pick and sometimes slap a little. Do a lot of palm muting. Also no problem.

 

[AaronVonRock]

I use a pick...so no problem!

Ditto.

 

[Fergie Fulton]

The correct wrist position is straight...always will be.
The wrist is not always bent because of the hand.....it can be bent because of the elbow's position.

See the wrists angle position as through the wrist, not from the wrist.

Most playing positions are about a blend of elbow and hand, with an elbow position away from the body to create the best straight line position.
See it as from the elbow, (point A) through the wrist (point B) to the fingers (point C).
If you will, point B is affect by both the positions of point A + C....not point B affecting the positions of points A or C

Height can have an effect, but again the elbow can help take out any excesive bending and help maintain a straighter line elbow through to wrist.
Bass height is a personal thing, as is the angle of the bass played, so what works for anyone person may not work for another, so i offer no comment on it other than make sure it is functional for your needs.

Bass designs are not so much an issue, as again, the straighter the lines created the better the use.
Any bass that does not offer this becomes 'not an option' to choose in my opinion.
If a player does choose such a bass as an option, then the issue is not with the technique as the technique has become the function of that bass, but with the player in making a bad choice of instrument.
It can be easliy put right by changing the bass for one that allows a better technique use.

So see the combination of the bass you choose, and its ability to allow the straightest of line from the elbow through the forearm through the wrist to the fingers.....do not see it as to the wrist, or from the wrist ,but through the wrist and all will be as good as it can be technique wise.

 

[Steve]

I've played like that forever.
At 54 years old it's been an issue for maybe 5 or so years.

If I'm where I'm used to being, at some point in the evening my fingers will start to go numb. It doesn't take much of an angle change to alleviate it but, it's there for sure.