Old guys watching their left hands

[BigLakeBass]

The other day I was perusing the forums (instead of practicing) and I started noticing that a lot of the gig photos were of old guys staring at their left hands. "Look up!" I thought to myself, "Smile for the audience! At least acknowledge them..."

Later on, I came across a music calendar bio picture where, again, the musician was looking at his left hand and I thought, "Well, at least look up for the publicity photo!"

Suddenly I remembered the picture I sent for the band I had just joined to use on their social media sites:

Heed your own advice, man!

 

[Killing Floor]

I took up violin in 2nd grade and our teacher was an old battle axe. She was very strict about eyes on the sheets and if we looked at our hands she’d whack my hand with a ruler.
It worked I suppose. Now I try to keep eyes out front. Everyone looks some times except for Robert Fripp.

 

[Michedelic]

The other day I was perusing the forums (instead of practicing) and I started noticing that a lot of the gig photos were of old guys staring at their left hands. "Look up!" I thought to myself, "Smile for the audience! At least acknowledge them..."

Later on, I came across a music calendar bio picture where, again, the musician was looking at his left hand and I thought, "Well, at least look up for the publicity photo!"

Suddenly I remembered the picture I sent for the band I had just joined to use on their social media sites:

View attachment 5102998

Heed your own advice, man!

Then there’s shoegazing, but even the proponents of that are getting a little on in years.

 

[Nashrakh]

I took up violin in 2nd grade and our teacher was an old battle axe. She was very strict about eyes on the sheets and if we looked at our hands she’d whack my hand with a ruler.
It worked I suppose. Now I try to keep eyes out front. Everyone looks some times except for Robert Fripp.

I have a weird tendency to watch my left hand when there's no paper in front of me. I can play off a sheet and only look at the board for critical jumps, but take it away and I somehow have to watch my hands like a hawk, as if every move I make might be the last.

 

[S-Bigbottom]

Darn right.

I do not know what my fretboard looks like when playing.

 

[ryco]

GUILTY!
65+ and still a hack

 

[WI Short Scaler]

I try not to look, but no "6" in front of my age yet so maybe I'm not included in this thread yet. I sure feel old after a couple of the double gig weekends we had in June.

 

[Discount Bassy]

I like to watch my left hand. I'm always curious as to what it might do next.

 

[onda'bass]

I specifically practice not looking, it makes you use your ear. If you did not look at your board, would you know you played it correctly?

 

[pfschim]

not lookin'

 

[Aussie Player]

Has a lot to do with playing style. Some guys spend as much time above the 5th fret as below it and that includes way above the 12th. If you play different basses and scale lengths, it compounds the motive.

 

[Killing Floor]

GUILTY!
65+ and still a hack

View attachment 5103133

If you’re looking at that gorgeous Ray nobody will fault that.

 

[BigLakeBass]

I specifically practice not looking, it makes you use your ear. If you did not look at your board, would you know you played it correctly?

I read somewhere about a band that practiced in the dark so they couldn't look at their instruments while playing. A quick Google search did not come up with the name of the band but there are a number of sites out there suggesting that practicing in the dark helps you play better.

 

[StereoPlayer]

None of your beeswax…

 

[jimmydean]

I look every now and then..........it's hard not to when you have pretty fingers and when most of the pretty women are stage left .

 

[flannel cat]

I am not as bad as i was but i still watch lefty in action on the board in case i do some spur of the moment fill and want to remember what the hell i just did...

 

[Michedelic]

What’s the big deal? Sometimes I look, sometimes I don’t, sometimes I play fretless. So what. Aren’t there enough clouds to yell at?

 

[HardNHeavy]

occasionally during an intricate part yes.

 

[BASSDROID]

Yep...hack.

But seriously...
If it's something you have to do or you can't play, it's probably a crutch.

And, there are times where it is useful.

Don't get hung up on it. Just be aware.

 

[Pings Bass]

If you don't wear shorts, flip-flops and Hawaiian shirts and look at your fretting hand while you play your P Bass with tort and flats, are you even a talk bass member?