How do you play your bass when sitting down?

[BluesWalker]

One note at a time. Hahabab

 

[vvvmmm]

I am very particular about positioning.

My cocktail must be within easy reach of my right hand, such that the bass on my right leg doesn't need to be moved to my other ones.

 

[emmadangerheart]

I play with the bass on my right leg and I tend to like have my right leg higher than my left leg if that makes sense.

 

[Killing Floor]

On my leg, when I am seated. Or half laying on the couch watching the Texans lose on purpose (before COVID?). But I nearly always use a strap even when seated. I think it's how I trick myself into trying to normalize my technique?

 

[Rojd]

I play with my bass on my right leg and my right foot on a foot rest like this:

 

[WillyW]

Strap, same as standing.

 

[JKos]

With the waist on my right leg. Except one bass that I place the lower horn on my right leg. The body is thick enough and bass light enough that it is completely comfortable.

I've tried between the legs and it just feels completely strange. It's not how the bass hangs when I stand.

 

[crankypants]

Two things can be true. In this case, somewhat obviously, not at the same time (disregarding time loops, alternate realities, and the like.)

Just today, I did both. I also stood up to play. All three!

There may be even more ways to do it. Not sure yet.

 

[cheapbasslovin]

Just as poorly as when I'm standing.

I came here to say this, but knew in my heart it had already been said.

Usually on my right leg, but non-traditional shapes or weird sitting positions can alter it.

 

[Dr Zee]

had to go put on my bass to see, right leg with a strap although I've been watching
videos and a really lot of good players loose the strap when sitting

 

[Ric5]

How do you play your bass when sitting down?

with my hands

 

[Steadfast]

With my toes.

 

[ObsessiveArcher]

While seated, I try to keep the bass as close to my standing position as I can. See pic on the left <---

 

[Mastermold]

I keep one thing between my legs. And it’s not a bass.

 

[doran.dragic]

Never do. Never. Ever.

Decades ago when I first started, I think it was an old Mel Bay book that said, "Practice in your playing position. If you stand to play, practice while standing. If you will play sitting, practice while sitting. Doing that you will learn the proper mechanics for your playing."

Easy. Band = stand. Done.

YMMV. carrots.

Peace.

Technically speaking, if you wear your bass really high you could play in pretty much the same position standing and seating without having any moving restriction. I sometimes wear my bass this way if I want easier access to my upper frets but it's tough on my upper back and I can't reach the bottom frets that well. Also my right wrist is bent a sharper angle which feels a bit restrictive.

That aside, I feel like this is a great tip and one that I got from my orthopedist too although standing for hours with an instrument around your neck is pretty demanding as well.

 

[teh-slb]

As an ex-classical guitar player, I play the bass guitar with its body on my right leg (right handed), both feet on the ground, no slouching and relaxed/open in the shoulders. If I used the classical guitar position, the stretch that my left arm makes would be just too much for me (I'm 5'9'' with a limited arm span) and it would really badly affect my already poor intonation down the neck on a fretless. But whatever works and doesn't damage your body in the long run is the way to go, I guess.

 

[nilorius]

I play with my strap on, because at my possision the bass is a bit higher than the leg knee.

 

[TerriblePeril]

Depends on the bass, the seat, and what’s being played. Suffice to say, I do it all of the ways previously discussed; on right leg, between/on left leg, with or without a footrest, with or without a strap, in roughly the same position as when standing as well as not. And add to these that I also on occasion use a pillow on the right leg to raise the position of the instrument without a footrest, and being very intentional to not drop my left shoulder and hunch into it. Sort of like Zander Zon.

 

[MynameisMe]

My goal is to have it in the same height, mostly same position standing or sitting so it is on the right thigh.

 

[Smooth_bass88]

Do you play with the body sitting on your right leg (assuming you play right-handed) or do you play with it between your legs like Hadrien Feraud?

I am wondering what are the advantages and disadvantages are for each.


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Like Sean Hurley, although all the practice in the world probably won't make you as good as he is!