Playing short scale vs long scale tips?

[sgiacomo]

Hi all. I recently purchased a short scale bass in hopes of helping to alleviate arthritis pain in the thumb of my fretting hand. I've never played anything but long scale bass before now and am having trouble adjusting to the short scale without constantly watching the fretboard. Any tips on making this transition easier? I don't use a pick or slap much.

 

[Yonni]

How long ago is "recently"? I found the transition took less than a few days. Trouble is I play it so much I now have to transition back to my P bass whenever I pick that up. I should probably make more of a habit of using both.

 

[Groove Doctor]

Give it time, Kimosabe. Give it time. You'll eventually get used to it.

 

[sgiacomo]

How long ago is "recently"? I found the transition took less than a few days. Trouble is I play it so much I now have to transition back to my P bass whenever I pick that up. I should probably make more of a habit of using both.

It's been a few days.

 

[Killing Floor]

As above, it took me a few days, maybe a week. I honestly railed some frets early on but it's really not different than playing a capo on first fret. It's ok to use your eyes to get through the adjustment. Soon you'll be able to play naturally and easily swap between long and short scale. Your brain will beat you up for a short while as it adapts. Don't panic. You got this.

 

[ole Jason]

Just gotta play, there are no shortcuts. That said, you'll find it trivial swapping between scale lengths in short order.

 

[coy garcia]

I play 30 to 35" fretlesses only...I find it's like choosing a long board vs short on skateboarding or snowboarding...Short is easier on the left hand more awkward on the right hand. Short has thicker tone, long has warmer tone. Short is quicker and lighter to make transitions but requires you to be more precise. Long feels more stable but is heavier.......it's all about tradeoffs for me. Whatever bass I'm using for the next gig is the one I practice on few days leading up to it.

 

[superheavyfunk]

Any tips on making this transition easier?

Just keep playing it. It's a matter of time spent.

 

[DrBnz]

You're doing fine, keep going. "Initially" you do need to spend a little time working on the fundamentals (again). Although the scale is shorter, you quickly start to realize that the frets are closer together as well. So yes, it is a shorter reach, but you have to be more accurate in finger placement. But as the guys said, in time you'll be able to switch around to any scale length bass and play it. I might mess up a little when I switch over, but within minutes your mind has adjusted and you forget which bass you're playing.

 

[Pyrat]

It for sure took me a little while to get comfortable but when I did, well...I can't imagine going back! I was having many arthritis issues specific to playing and after 45 years it was not a simple swap. I do attempt playing long-scale here and there and going back and forth is not so difficult once I was accustomed to short scale...it's just not as much FUN. Enjoy the trip...

 

[MultiScaleMale]

Don't overthink it. The difference is minimal fret to fret, it's basically like playing up two frets on your 34" bass, tension and feel is a little different. Now, if you're sliding up an octave or a fifth, whatever, then it's going to be a different slide length. But playing in, say, frets 1-7 I don't find a lot of difference.

 

[Jefenator]

Just spend time with it until it feels intuitive, and savor the comparative ease.

 

[Gorilla Monsoon]

I've been bouncing around between 30" and 35" with little difficulty. I'm playing fretless, and rarely look at the fingerboard other than seeing where the low "F" is to begin with. Gotta admit- I had zero clue as to how much fun playing a shorty could be. Mine has become my bass of choice, and I've got some really nice basses. Stick with it would be my advice, and cut back on sugar; I find that to be a very real trigger for my arthritis.

 

[pbass2]

I just find shorties as a rule have me play with a "lighter touch". The string tension, etc is such that I can't quite dig in and thump like on a 34" FSO. Depends on the design of the bass of course as well.

 

[alex1fly]

Hi all. I recently purchased a short scale bass in hopes of helping to alleviate arthritis pain in the thumb of my fretting hand. I've never played anything but long scale bass before now and am having trouble adjusting to the short scale without constantly watching the fretboard. Any tips on making this transition easier? I don't use a pick or slap much.
View attachment 4994102

Play every day until muscle memory is built.

 

[coy garcia]

cut back on sugar; I find that to be a very real trigger for my arthritis.

Same for me....the wife has it worse and I haven't been able to convince her.

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

Hi all. I recently purchased a short scale bass in hopes of helping to alleviate arthritis pain in the thumb of my fretting hand. I've never played anything but long scale bass before now and am having trouble adjusting to the short scale without constantly watching the fretboard. Any tips on making this transition easier? I don't use a pick or slap much.
View attachment 4994102

I can't deal with how close everything is. Like me trying to play electric guitar. So...goodluck.

 

[Bassnkeys]

Whatever bass I'm using for the next gig is the one I practice on few days leading up to it.

This.

You'll get used to it with more time — and then switching between various scales takes a bit of mental adjustment time.

 

[jnewmark]

So is it helping with the thumb pain ?

 

[Andy Marshman]

I still own a couple of 34" scale basses but the rest are 30". My advice is to not pick up the full scale basses for a month.