Holding the bass like Hadrien Feraud

[Dr. Cheese]

My teacher suggested that I hold the bass like Hadrien Feraud since his right hand technique is so clean. I tried at choir practice today, and it works. Feraud is right handed, but holds his bass at an angle on his left knee, like a classical guitarist. I find this positions forces my thumb behind the neck, and keeps my fingers from clumping together. It is pretty comfortable too, but I need to get used to it.

 

[fearceol]

his right hand technique is so clean.

Is it...? .

From what I can see...his R/H wrist is almost at right angles.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

Is it...? .

From what I can see...his R/H wrist is almost at right angles.

I guess that's my take on it. It was almost automatic getting my thumb behind the fingerboard the way I had it.

 

[fearceol]

I guess that's my take on it. It was almost automatic getting my thumb behind the fingerboard the way I had it.

IMO..playing in the manner of Mr. Feraud may be good for the fretting hand, but will play havoc with the right... A good compromise would be the best thing.

Playing with a bent wrist is a recipe for disaster...as in... injury problems at a later time.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

IMO..playing in the manner of Mr. Feraud may be good for the fretting hand, but will play havoc with the right... A good compromise would be the best thing.

Playing with a bent wrist is a recipe for disaster...as in... injury problems at a later time.

I'll see what I do. The left knee works better for me, but I have to get used to it.

 

[organworthyplayer337]

Love that song

 

[bass12]

I would think you should be able to get your thumb in the right place without going the classical route (makes more sense to me for a short scale instrument - like guitar) but if it works then why not.

 

[fearceol]

I'll see what I do. The left knee works better for me, but I have to get used to it.

Why not use your strap ? The ideal compromise is to wear the bass at the same height (about belly button height) regardless of whether you are standing or sitting.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

I am glad you said that! I noticed my strap did the same thing for me today at practice.

 

[Joshua Pickenpaugh]

Hey Doc, fast forward to 2:10 in this video. Gary has some excellent points on RH technique:

 

[Killed_by_Death]

I've always played like that & still have problems with my fret/left hand if I play too long.

 

[Clef_de_fa]

IMO..playing in the manner of Mr. Feraud may be good for the fretting hand, but will play havoc with the right... A good compromise would be the best thing.

Playing with a bent wrist is a recipe for disaster...as in... injury problems at a later time.

If you really well placed, the picking hand will be straight and the fretting hand will be straight too and the thumb behind the neck, not sticking up nor wrapping around either.

Just like classical guitar player.

Very easy to do

 

[SanDiegoHarry]

this isn't new. I've done this for year, when seated. It works great if you're into playing in higher registers, less great if you live around the 5th fret.

 

[Ant Illington]

My teacher suggested that I hold the bass like Hadrien Feraud since his right hand technique is so clean. I tried at choir practice today, and it works. Feraud is right handed, but holds his bass at an angle on his left knee, like a classical guitarist. I find this positions forces my thumb behind the neck, and keeps my fingers from clumping together. It is pretty comfortable too, but I need to get used to it.

I play quite similar to that position. To fix the right hand you have to be conscious of keeping your elbow pointed a bit outward to straighten the wrist. At the very least, you have to not rest your forearm on the bass, or just very lightly occassionally. This will require activating shoulder/back muscles which might get aggravated if you don't rest and stretch regularly. Be careful with new techniques and postures.

 

[Brad Johnson]

Comfort first.

 

[Rev J]

I do the same thing resting my bass on my left leg. As for my right wrist since I'm playing a Fender Jazz I my wrist right against the bevel on the top over the bridge pickup and it keeps my wrist straight.

C/S,
Rev J

 

[Honch]

Hey Doc, fast forward to 2:10 in this video. Gary has some excellent points on RH technique:

Yes, and while I think the other video on floating thumb has more merit, I actually think this thing with Willis is a little bit...out. No matter that he's a monster player, I've seen no other bassist play like that at all. Comparing and doing associations by hooking the fingers together and compare to piano playing isn't really the same. When playing any keys you're pushing DOWN a key. When plucking a string you're using totally different muscles. I've seen too many bass players bend their wrist for a long time and never get any fatigued, or tendonitis, carpal tunnels syndrome, or any other RSI syndrome. And still can play at speed.

As other has stressed. Play relaxed. And not struggling every note no matter how slow or convenient it is. I think every one of Scotts bass lessons, Scott angles his wrist. I think with all these different right hand techniques, it's similar to when holding a pen when you write something. I remember the days in school when looking at some classmate when writing I said "Oh, how can you hold the pen like that, don't you get cramped up in no time ?! ..." and they went "no, it feels natural to me, I would cramp up in no time if I held it like you do".

To each their own. Taking breaks, and let all fingers and wrist, and forearm rest for a while, will do more wonders, than trying to find that UTOPIC placement of hands and fingers, since no one would turn out better or worse than anything else. It's just that one think there should be something "one position fits all". There isn't. Because people are equipped differently. A very tall person would really have to use different wrist positions and fingering, as well as hanging the bass, and even when sitting down, than a very short person with short arms. On piano, where the instrument is detached from the players body, it's more easy to just adjust the chair and distance from the piano, so a tall person with long arms and a short person with short arms can "reach" the keys in the same 90 degree angle any time.

 

[Watchootognbout]

 

[fearceol]

View attachment 1083929View attachment 1083930

Mr. Feraud's sitting position in the original clip is a lot different (in a negative sort of way) to the guy on the right above. The latter has his plucking wrist straight.

 

[cnltb]

Hey Doc, fast forward to 2:10 in this video. Gary has some excellent points on RH technique:

Bet me to it!
He too holds the bass that way when seated, I think.