I can't imagine being nearly kicked out of a band ... because of your strap height. Of all the things to worry about.
Had all the other problems in the world been solved at that moment?
Freaking drummers.
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playing bass... standing up??!?!?!!??!?????!!!??
- Thread starter lo-end
- Start date
I can't imagine being nearly kicked out of a band ... because of your strap height. Of all the things to worry about.
Had all the other problems in the world been solved at that moment?
Freaking drummers.
I don't think strap height should be an issue. It's a matter of comfort. I play with mine pretty low because it feels better and i feel faster on my plucking hand that way. I used to be the same way when i first started playing I would always play sitting down. Like some have already said just practice standing up. And in my opinion if you're already comfortable playing sitting down, then don't let yourself practice sitting down anymore. Force yourself to stand up and practice every time. Most things feel awkward at first that's why we practice until it feels natural. If you join any kind of rock band and several other genres for that matter you'll have to play standing up and you'll have to have a stage presence. Just start small, walk around while you play then throw a little more in every time eventually you won't be able to stand still while you play.
This is a pretty well thought out thread by now but I'm just gonna throw in my two cents with moving while your playing. The chances are if you overthink how you look on stage you're going to look even worse. If you're most comfortable seated buy a stool and bring it to a gig and just make sure you look damn awesome on that stool.
I've played live mostly in metal and funk bands and I sometimes get good comments on my stage presence (that I hope are unironic). This is odd seeing as I'm usually clumsy and uncoordinated and generally awkward physically. But if you focus on your instrument and move in time to your playing you can look like you're moving with your music instead of inspite of it. Some players run around, some stomp, some bop and many stand there like a statue you just have to find what you feel comfortable with. I'm a stomper and a bit of a jelly legs. The guitarist in my current band is a bit of a runner.
I've played live mostly in metal and funk bands and I sometimes get good comments on my stage presence (that I hope are unironic). This is odd seeing as I'm usually clumsy and uncoordinated and generally awkward physically. But if you focus on your instrument and move in time to your playing you can look like you're moving with your music instead of inspite of it. Some players run around, some stomp, some bop and many stand there like a statue you just have to find what you feel comfortable with. I'm a stomper and a bit of a jelly legs. The guitarist in my current band is a bit of a runner.
Aha I was still eating glue and fingerpainting when this thread was created (I was a late developer)
I was in fourth grade.
For me standing and playing has never been an issue its the sitting and playing that causes me headaches. I play in a pop punk/ post-hardcore band so movement is pretty much a must. I jump a lot and swing my bass, where as my guitarist does a bunch of flip type tricks. It really comes down to practicing it. I wear my bass as low as my strap (DiMarzio Cliplock) will let me go however I am a big guy so that has something to do with it. Just practice and be comfortable really.
I noticed that when I practiced sitting down my bass neck was almost parallel to the ground. This made it easier to play than standing up where the bass neck tends to be at a 45 degrees (or more). Also, when playing sitting down you tend to hunch over a little to view the fretboard and your picking hand.
When standing,I play with mine right about here(first pic)That way I can play the lowest and the highest frets easily.When I sit,my bass is between my legs with the lower horn on my left thigh.Some call that the classical position.And when I stand my neck heavy bass neck stays at the same position and angle(first picture) because I use THIS.(second picture)This may not work if you play your bass real low OR real high.
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Depends on the difficulty, if I have to reach higher notes and I'm playing more complex stuff then I have it higher, anything else and I wanna look cool (who doesn't when your in a band?) I'll wear it lower, pretty simple stuff.
That's a good one! I honestly never thought that I'll ever hear a concern like this. I practice sitting down all the time and perform standing up always. It makes absolutely no difference to me. I also played upside down and even that makes no difference whatsoever.
Hmmm...
I have my bass hanging at around the same level, but that's because it's as short as my strap will go.
I'm just short.
But I divide my practice time to about 50/50 sitting/standing, so I get plenty of practice that way.
Plus, since I'm still growing, the bass will progressively get higher and higher when I play standing.
I hope.
I have the opposite problem. Tall and wide. Try a Fender strap. Every one of them I've tried has left half the bass above my nipples
. Or maybe a really nice guitar strap. Something that won't break with the weight of a bass on it.As for standing vs sitting, I've always felt more comfortable playing standing up. Whoever said normalizing where the bass rests between sitting and standing speaks the wisdom.
I go back and forth. When I`m first learning a song or trying to concentrate,then I`ll usually do that seated. After that I find that practicing standing up gives me more freedom of movement and an overall more natural,relaxed posture/stance. Besides,there are some songs that I honestly can feel myself getting into so much,I end up swaying/rocking in time to the groove while playing(which looks tres cool,btw)...so,at times sittin` on me fat bum aint an option. Just keep putting in a portion of your practice/playing sessions on your feet and you`ll adapt quicker than you realize,bro.
Just keep putting in a portion of your practice/playing sessions on your feet and you`ll adapt quicker than you realize,bro.
Hahahahaha! Yep I fall asleep like that at least once a week. I found it fantastic laying down in front of the teli with the bass across me doing some quiet noodling while zonking out watching Fringe for the 9th million time.
How about on your back, Nathan Watts couldn't do it sober
Intriguingly enough, I always wondered the same thing too, because I always practiced sitting down. But the first time I went to a jam and had to stand up, I had no problem whatsoever, just seemed perfectly natural.
Now when I'm playing with others I just prefer to stand. Been offered a chair a couple times, and I almost always turn it down.
Now when I'm playing with others I just prefer to stand. Been offered a chair a couple times, and I almost always turn it down.
this brings back memories. When I first learned I was playing sitting down for like maybe the first two months. then I decided to try standing up. It felt like id nearly wasted the whole two months because I could do almost nothing standing up, it felt so different. Of course it was preferable to learn standing up so I kept at it but id advise any new player to start standing up. Because live that's always the position you'll be in anyway. Of course once you get good enough it doesn't matter much what position you're in...but at first it really does.
Of course you could also learn alternating the two.
Of course you could also learn alternating the two.
Out of all of my bass(and yes!guitar heroes)I cannot say that any of them had their axes slug real low to look cool.That's symbolism over substance.Or so high that the bass can be a chin rest.Practically all have them hanging somewhere at mid point.That way they can play the highest and the lowest frets with relative ease.Looking "Cool"was not an issue in Jazz and Fusion.Playing was.
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I prefer standing up. When I sit, bass on the right tigh is too high, and I instinctly push up my right shoulder to compensate. It breaks the line of my right forearm and hand. I find the neck to be too low too to play the lower frets.
Standing up, I have the bass not too high not too low, to have the neck playable everywhere without stretching the left arm too far, and my right hand is more relax.
Now I sometimes half-sit on the table. This does not push up and right the bass, so it's a kind of mix between standing up and not being on my legs all the time.
Standing up, I have the bass not too high not too low, to have the neck playable everywhere without stretching the left arm too far, and my right hand is more relax.
Now I sometimes half-sit on the table. This does not push up and right the bass, so it's a kind of mix between standing up and not being on my legs all the time.
- Apr 6, 2013
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Long lived thread!
My bass have been going downwards since I started in the 80's... from under my chin to the exact same spot it is when I'm seated. Not a coincidence: I've had troubles with my hands and studied the ergonomics of it.
When I play seated my wrists are at a natural angle and I have no issues with pain or strain. I always wear a strap (a good, large, padded strap: the Mono. Unfortunately my favorite instruments a heavyish), even when seated.
A rock pose, bass way low is most likely to mess up your back eventually... a lot of long timers have serious issues now that they are in their 40s. I'm not saying not to do it, but it is a thing to be aware of. You will most likely experience pain. Lots of pain. A friend of mine can't play anymore because of it, it kills him.
Also, technically, it is more difficult to be dexterous when you can't put your hand in a natural position: Rob Trujillo, might wear his bass on his knees, but as soon as he has to play something complex, he will crouch down and put the bass on his tight for a sitting position...
To me it always seem to be like driving a car without a seat: can be done, might look cool, but is it worth it?
My bass have been going downwards since I started in the 80's... from under my chin to the exact same spot it is when I'm seated. Not a coincidence: I've had troubles with my hands and studied the ergonomics of it.
When I play seated my wrists are at a natural angle and I have no issues with pain or strain. I always wear a strap (a good, large, padded strap: the Mono. Unfortunately my favorite instruments a heavyish), even when seated.
A rock pose, bass way low is most likely to mess up your back eventually... a lot of long timers have serious issues now that they are in their 40s. I'm not saying not to do it, but it is a thing to be aware of. You will most likely experience pain. Lots of pain. A friend of mine can't play anymore because of it, it kills him.
Also, technically, it is more difficult to be dexterous when you can't put your hand in a natural position: Rob Trujillo, might wear his bass on his knees, but as soon as he has to play something complex, he will crouch down and put the bass on his tight for a sitting position...
To me it always seem to be like driving a car without a seat: can be done, might look cool, but is it worth it?
