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playing bass... standing up??!?!?!!??!?????!!!??
- Thread starter lo-end
- Start date
I agree 100% with SuperDuck. Guys who can shred you into the ground don't need stage presence, whatever instrument they're playing. I have a feeling that Sam Rivers, for example, would be frighteningly good if he didn't waste so much energy jumping around.
Of course what he failed to mention is that the top of his bass is still level with the waistband on his pants....
This thread is kind of funny to me because I have trouble playing sitting down. I feel like the bass is way to close to my chin, I think it's 'cause I have big long gorilla arms though.
When we went to the studio the engineer got bugged because he wanted me to sit quietly next to him at the board to over-dub my flubs but I had to stand up and wiggle around some to feel comfortable playing.
Hmm... Ive been thinking about this today and I figured that playing the bass standing up when youve never done it before is gonna be like learning to play for the first time. When you first start you cant really play anything, and its kinda like that with me standing up. Ill just have to relearn everything that way. Itll take some time and lots of practice I guess, but whatever. Im already dedicated to the bass, Ive gotten really good in the past 2 years, its just that I only play sitting on my bed or with a knee on a stool.
It depends if youre using a pick or not. When I use a pick, the bass has to be low or my right arm will get very tired, and isnt nearly as fast. Without a pick, I play a little better with the bass higher. My fretting hand does just fine with the bass relatively low, and I play scales and stuff too. DO what is comfertable, and fun, cause this is all about having fun, right?
And chicks
And chicks
I can't sit down. I find that my knee in the curve of the bass puts it too far down and to the right. Makes my picking hand crampy.
Standing also lets me pace around, spin around my cable, and tap my feet. Not that I'm jumping around, but by no means stationary. I think I'm just nervous...
Standing also lets me pace around, spin around my cable, and tap my feet. Not that I'm jumping around, but by no means stationary. I think I'm just nervous...
Yeah. But have covered your erm.. coverings.. So that if your playing at A gig, and someone flashes you .. 
You don't have a "Bigfeet Experience" LOLOL
You don't have a "Bigfeet Experience" LOLOL hey, you could do like the bass player from does, and bring it down really low then rest the body on your knee. I'm not gonna try that, but hey, I works for him 
I generally don't do anything to complicated standing up, partially because the only time I play standing up is when I'm jammin' with my band(I play a very unimportant role in my band, I play bass lines while my friend solos, every song, It's like I don't exist
) Usually I'm playin' Van Halen, so I don't too much to worry about. As far as soloing goes, just pratice standin' up, that's what I do, then you can learn all sorts of fun things like jumpin' around like an idiot(Sum 41, I'm lookin' in your direction) or run and whatnot. Practice makes permenent, so practice up!
I generally don't do anything to complicated standing up, partially because the only time I play standing up is when I'm jammin' with my band(I play a very unimportant role in my band, I play bass lines while my friend solos, every song, It's like I don't exist
) Usually I'm playin' Van Halen, so I don't too much to worry about. As far as soloing goes, just pratice standin' up, that's what I do, then you can learn all sorts of fun things like jumpin' around like an idiot(Sum 41, I'm lookin' in your direction) or run and whatnot. Practice makes permenent, so practice up!
I feel ya on the situation. I once played in a band and the guys (and gal) noticed that I played a lot better sitting down than I did standing up. I rationalized it to be that I learned to play sitting down. So that's where I most comfortable. I even went to the extent of getting a barstool to sit on during gigs to play. The number of buterflies was significantly reduced with my rear firmly planted. Thsi didn't work out too well because it was an Old School R & B band, and I was the only stiff up there aside from the drummer who couldn't move. SOmehow, bass solo's aren't as "crod impacting" when played sitting down.
When I play standing up, I play with the instrument sorta high. That's where it was most comfortable for me. But as someone esle mentioned here, wtih the instrument in that position, it most mimicks the the position of the instrument relative to your hands and arms when you are sitting.
I just had to practice. I still prefer to sit. Old habits die hard. But do what you feel is best. I'd like to think that it really shouldn't matter, but for some folks, it does. I play better sitting.
When I play standing up, I play with the instrument sorta high. That's where it was most comfortable for me. But as someone esle mentioned here, wtih the instrument in that position, it most mimicks the the position of the instrument relative to your hands and arms when you are sitting.
I just had to practice. I still prefer to sit. Old habits die hard. But do what you feel is best. I'd like to think that it really shouldn't matter, but for some folks, it does. I play better sitting.
I found the higher the bass is slung in front of me while standing, the more comfortable it feels while playing. My strap is adjusted so that the body of the bass rests 1/4" above the top of my midsection. It may look strange at first but eventually you will find that it works. One of the best players around, BILL DICKENS, slings his instrument in a similar fashion. As far as your fret hand, I would suggest practicing with a Buddha Rope made by MIGHTY MITE. It is a string dampening aid that helps build accuracy, articulation, speed, and dexterity.
just like everyone else said: RAISE YOUR BASS
your bass should be atleast the hight of how it is when you sit down. Adjust the side while your sitting then stand. Maybe even raise it higher. I have my bass like a tie... its almost as high as it can go and I can play much faster and cleaner when i stand because of it.
Oh and jumping around does not make you a better bass player... it may get you some attention but probably not any by anyone that really matters.
your bass should be atleast the hight of how it is when you sit down. Adjust the side while your sitting then stand. Maybe even raise it higher. I have my bass like a tie... its almost as high as it can go and I can play much faster and cleaner when i stand because of it.
Oh and jumping around does not make you a better bass player... it may get you some attention but probably not any by anyone that really matters.
Man, if you've got problems going between sitting and standing, your technique probably sucks to begin with. Oh, and yeah. RAISE YOUR BASS. Unless you're playing with your feet, there's no reason for the thing to be anywhere other than your chest.
As for moving, jumping is such a terribly cliche and isn't nearly as cool as the guys who do it think it is. A much better solution is to to the Jaco thing... kinda just swing your upper body in time with the music, point the neck around. Stuff like that. That won't affect your playing, it won't cause you to fall down, and everybody will say, "Whoa, check out the bassist. He's really getting into it!" (had it happen to me, though those weren't the exact words)
As for moving, jumping is such a terribly cliche and isn't nearly as cool as the guys who do it think it is. A much better solution is to to the Jaco thing... kinda just swing your upper body in time with the music, point the neck around. Stuff like that. That won't affect your playing, it won't cause you to fall down, and everybody will say, "Whoa, check out the bassist. He's really getting into it!" (had it happen to me, though those weren't the exact words)
basskunk, you just don't get it, do you. Now, everybody is getting intruments that look nice, and clothing that sounds good.
Actually, I like basses that sound and look good.
As for my clothes...well, I have about 5 collared smart-casual shirts, 10 t-shirts and 5 pairs of pants that I go through.
My money can go to better things - like that $8,000 amp I want!
As for my clothes...well, I have about 5 collared smart-casual shirts, 10 t-shirts and 5 pairs of pants that I go through.
My money can go to better things - like that $8,000 amp I want!
thanks for that.
I actually have excellent technique, but you would have no way of knowing that anyway. I am just used to playing sitting on my bed, and when I play with my strap, I find it most comfortable to play with my bass down by my hips.I can play just as well standing up as sitting down now. All it took was a couple days of practice, and now no problem. Im still not gonna wear my bass up by my chest because there is no need for me to. It just feels uncomfortable for me and I am happy with it right where it is.
