How do you play your bass when sitting down?

[Nick von Nick]

I also use a classical guitar foot rest/stand to elevate my right foot. It works well.

I'm in this boat as well. Granted, I also have some classical guitar experience, but that came many years after bass guitar. Incidentally, I think it came from the fact that when I played in my high school jazz band, my strap kept breaking or sliding off (due to the hole in the leather part having stretched far too much and my complete inability to cobble together any scratch for a new one). I would prop my left left up on a chair and rest my bass on it while standing. Because we often playing in a relatively cramped space, I found that I had more personal flexibility if I both stood and angled the bass anywhere from 30-60 degrees from the floor line. Keep in mind that in my early years as a player I saw lots of pictures of guys like James Jamerson, Paul McCartney, and other 1960s bassists hold their basses at steeper angles. And dang...it just felt natural.

Anywho, the habit stuck. I actually broke my right ankle in the Netherlands over a year ago, so when we played shows, I would use the classical position I knew too well to great effect.
~NvN

P.S. To my American friends, if you break a limb anywhere, do it in the Netherlands. I was in and out of the trauma ward in two or three hours. I was sickly boy, so I was already too familiar with hospitals. This was among the best medical treatment ever.

 

[BOOG]

I use both.

Right leg (I'm right handed) if I'm playing music that requires me to play at the frets 1-9 a lot.
Between the legs if I'm playing higher up. This position makes my left shoulder hurt if I'm staying in the lower frets region too long.

+1
I use both for the same reasons.

 

[devnulljp]

 

[bassgrackle]

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.


View attachment 3927963 View attachment 3927964

depends on how my back is feeling that day.

 

[Charlzm]

I tried it both ways and decided that I get best results like this. I am leaning a little to my left in this shot; normally, I sit up straight which puts the bass neck at the same position and angle as when standing.

 

[_One//Man//Mutiny_]

Over the right leg, for my Hohner B2A, I flip the kickstand out!

 

[Max Bogosity]

On the right leg if my left shoulder hurts and I want to minimize the reach to the lower frets. On my left leg if my right wrist hurts and I want to keep it as straight as possible.

 

[Chad Michael]

I don't.

1 - the instrument feels correctly ergonomic when standing
2 - audience people don't want to see a seated guitarist / bassist.. it is different for keys and drums...

 

[Bassic Needs]

I guess I should have specified that it would be playing/practising at home and not at a gig.

 

[Meaculpa]

Both.

 

[Tosh]

Sitting is difficult, but if I need to - then the electric goes over the leg, and the acoustic goes between.

About the only time I sit with the electric is when I'm in front of the piano or computer. Might be using one hand for each instrument, or one hand fiddling with knobs while the other taps the strings, etc.

With the acoustic, I usually hold the neck upright and twist the body away from me a bit. I was advised that most of the volume radiates from the back, and I have found this to be true. My main problem with this posture is that I can't see the fretboard, and I'm not advanced enough to play without getting a glance from time to time ;-}

 

[Nev375]

Invalid poll. No carrot option.

I use a strap while sitting down. But if I don't have a strap I have a tug bar I can use to support the bass with my fingers and I can play with my thumb as Leo intended.

I am more comfortable with the bass rather high anyway.

 

[Bassic Needs]

Invalid poll. No carrot option.

Hard to argue with that.
I don't think I can edit the poll to add it.

 

[lark_z]

It's a choice for my 60-something year old body. Shoulder/foot pain (standing) or wrist pain (seated). I just can't get my picking hand in a decent position (ie - straight) when seated unless I move the bass between my legs, then my fretting wrist is not happy.

I end up standing 99% of the time with really decent shoes, nice wide strap, and frequent breaks. I kid myself that I might be burning a few more calories since I'm standing.

 

[gumbynotpokey]

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.

totally get it.

frankly when i first read it i rather resented it a bit, as i never practiced standing....and it seemed a bit sure of itself...inexplicably, i have always followed it anyway....

the 10 pounder that is my avatar pic helps me know all too well about standing for 2.5 hrs almost 4 decades after getting that instruction....

peace

 

[4dog]

at first i thought...trick question...then i realized...this one is serious.

 

[Bassic Needs]

Yes it was a legitimate question. Does it bother you?

 

[dkelley]

I play right handed, bass on my right leg.

Why? Because it's how I learned, how most people do it (other than classical guitarists)... and the reason I never changed from it is because I like where my right arm and hand lie in this position. Also, the 1st fret is already pretty far away.... putting it on my left leg moves it way way further away. Yes it's higher, but so much more to the left that is doesn't even begin to be positioned like when I stand.

When I stand, it hangs as though its over my right left, just slightly to the left of that.

When I stand, I normally have my strap pretty short and am used to it up there.

When I sit, it's pretty similar.

 

[Spectre Gunner]

I’ve always had a more difficult time playing while sitting as opposed to standing and having the bass supported with a strap. I don’t know why that is. Anyone else experience this or is it just me?

I’ve considered bringing a strap with me when I visit my local guitar store.

 

[OogieWaWa]

I’ve always had a more difficult time playing while sitting as opposed to standing and having the bass supported with a strap. I don’t know why that is. Anyone else experience this or is it just me?
I’ve considered bringing a strap with me when I visit my local guitar store.

Doesn't seem to make much difference to me. We sit when we do acoustic winery sets, but stand for most other gigs. Except I usually end up standing up anyway, I like to move around and can't hold still for long.

Good idea when shopping, it's bad enough dropping your own bass.