Leg falling asleep...ouch.

[jeffreybar]

So this may sound kinda silly...but I've been playing for a couple of months now, and whenever I practice, my right leg (the one the bass' body is resting upon) falls asleep. Sometimes severely so, to the point where I can't really get up and walk around. Anyone else have this problem? Any suggestions, aside from the obvious "play standing up"?

 

[FunkMetalBass]

Try using your right foot as your tapping foot to keep blood flowing. Also, re-position your bass a bit so that it's not placing so much pressure on your leg and cutting off circulation.

 

[j.stemmler]

bring your strap up a little bit to re-distribute some of the pressure to your shoulders. then if your shoulders hurt, get a well padded strap.

or buy a lighter bass. if thats not in the question, maybe put a small pillow between your knee just for practicing sake.

 

[For_Ironys_Sake]

do you have fat wallet???

lol my leg always falls asleep when i sit down with my wallet in my back pocket)

but your right its probably the bass

 

[ReMmy]

dude, not to sound poopy, TOTALLY trying to be constructive here, ... how is your physique? Seriously, do you stretch and get daily excercise? Most basses only weigh 9 or 10 lbs.

 

[MaxMaps]

as a person who has bad circulation his entire life here are some tips.

- Where you sit is key, make sure it is a padded seat with good back support

- Wearing a strap when playing can also put a small amount of weight on your upper body, it may be a bunch of crap but I find that it makes a difference.

- if you wear your wallet in your back pocket make sure you remove it

-foot tapping and just extending your leg can promote blood flow.

find what is comfortable for you and if you keep getting numb take breaks through out your practice regiment.

 

[jeffreybar]

dude, not to sound poopy, TOTALLY trying to be constructive here, ... how is your physique? Seriously, do you stretch and get daily excercise? Most basses only weigh 9 or 10 lbs.

I don't have trouble lifting it; I just have poor circulation. I walk to/from work and downtown every day and it's 2 miles each way, and I'm in pretty good shape besides.

I have problems with legs falling asleep when I sit on hard surfaces too.

 

[R. Laevinus]

You might try repositioning your bass or changing your sitting posture so as to relieve pressure on the major veins and arteries. Blocking them is what causes the numbess.

For example, when I read the paper on the can , I rest my elbows just behind my knees, and my legs are severely asleep by the time I get up - however, when I play sitting down, I rest my bass as close to my belly as possible, and no problems. In fact, I often (bad habit, I know) sort of curl around the bass, and rest my chin on the upper horn - I like to feel the vibrations through my jaw. (Chicks also say it's adorable, like I'm cuddling it.)

Also - what are you sitting on? A couch, hard chair, bar stool, computer chair, etc can all be conducive to bad posture while playing. I like to use a drum throne - well built, heavily padded, springy, adjustable height. I set it so that my thighs are angling slighly towards the floor, and I tap with my right foot.

And finally, what sort of bass are you playing? A modern style skinny body will concentrate the force into a smaller area, essentially letting the weight penetrate further into your leg and closing off veings deeper inside. Try a bass with a wider body, like a P, and see if that helps.

 

[fretster]

Simple: play standing up!

 

[suraci]

Maybe a pad ( try different materials- sponge comes in varying hardness ) UNDER the bass, or on the thigh.

I played old Precision's seated for years... i believe I compromised my thigh area. Too much weight for an extremely long time, over a small area, is the problem.

This is a genuine issue, so do not treat it lightly- if it persists, get a physical therapist or Doctor's opinion.

Change the spot that is being over burdened

And stand. But standing changes the position of your ears in relation to speakers, if your cab is not huge.

 

[vin*tone]

I hate it when my leg falls asleep. Means it'll be up all night.

 

[bwoodman]

I vote for the next obvious answer - play with a strap while sitting. I never practice without the bass strapped on because it's a totally different position without the strap. Unless you play sitting down at a gig, then why practice that way? Even for the folks who wear the bass down at their knees, it doesn't make sense either because the bass would be too high while sitting. It changes the positions of both your hands. I play with the bass a little higher than most, but not as high as a jazz guitarist, so I'd rather practice with the bass in proper position.

 

[Vittu]

I sit at the edge of my seat and let my bass hang like it does when I stand that way I can practice my technique in the same possition as I play it.

 

[nsmar4211]

I've been finding that I can't practice sitting down (which sucketh cause I stand up all day at my day job!). I either have to stand or lean my butt on a bar type stool. I also find that playing sitting down puts my wrist at a bad angle that triggers tendonitis

Compromise, go to the nearest store and buy a bar stool. Wooden one will run you about 20 bucks, you're still sitting, but you can hang the bass between your legs like you were standing up .

 

[powerbass]

if the numbness goes away when you stand then you may be experiencing compression of your sciatic nerve while sitting. as mentioned using a different chair or standing while playing will most likely fix the problem.

 

[sandman]

sorry, tried thinking of something witty.........nup i got nuthn.
maybe try practicing less

 

[Bassamatic]

This happens to me also. I do the foot tapping, etc. but also place the bass between my legs, classical guitar style. This eliminates the problem.