Playing short scale vs long scale tips?

[mistermikev]

I think that sort of thing just takes time. I started out on a 32" scale bass. when I go back to my current 32 I feel like superman lol. just so easy to get around. took me quite a while to get used to 34" and 35". my hands, despite being very large... get stretched and soar still when playing 35". If you don't have side dots (does an sg bass have side dots?)... that might help - it's all I look at anyway. Perhaps try to practice more with your eyes closed.

 

[Mannyinnewyork]

No transition. Pick it up and play it. If someone hands me 34"/ 32"/ 30" I can play it, if some one hands me a mandolin I can play it. I believe it is a non-issue.

 

[sgiacomo]

No transition. Pick it up and play it. If someone hands me 34"/ 32"/ 30" I can play it, if some one hands me a mandolin I can play it. I believe it is a non-issue.

TF you want a medal?

 

[Hurricane Jimmie]

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.
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So Anyway, Nice bass. I recently bought a G&L Fallout 30". No problems with the transition and I still sound like me.

How does the Gibson SG hang? Any neck dive?

I'm looking for a short scale Gibson, but the LP semi-hollow that I want doesn't come up very often.

 

[MVE]

Get a kala ubass and play it for a few days.
It might sound like a joke, but Im serious. The more practice you get switching between different scale lengths, the less noticeable it will become.

 

[Spectre Gunner]

As long as you've been playing a long scale it might take more commitment than you might expect. You just have to put in the time and effort like we all did to get comfortable and familiar on the 34" scale not to mention playing bass in general. Just keep at it until it becomes second nature.

my recommendation is to spend a few minutes every day doing various finger exercises on the short scale. It is simply a matter of developing your muscles and nerves to become accustomed to the new size.

You can teach an old dog new tricks. You just have to work at it more so than a pup would.

 

[Collin Lyle]

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.
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Relax your hand.

Imagine running scales (or a line you're familiar with) in your head without the stretch and tension in the back of your hand, fingers relaxed. Then do that.

 

[pbass74]

With a bass that looks as cool as that Gibson, who cares if you miss a note or buzz a fret once in awhile?

 

[Steve Fox]

That is a gorgeous bass!

Like a lot of people have said, play it as much as you can and in a few weeks it'll feel completely comfortable. I like running pentatonic grooves whenever I'm trying to get used to a new instrument because it's a fairly easy pattern and I can move around the fingerboard pretty easily, but really it just takes a bit of time. Happy Thumping!

 

[GeeBass]

The only tip to share is: you'll have to position your left hand fingers a little closer together, when you play a short scale!
Everything else is exactly the same - so no need to make any bigger deal out of it than that - just play it.

 

[prowla]

Play guitar too - you'll become accustomed to swapping around.

 

[Watchootognbout]

There are those who play double bass,electric bass and guitar with little effort.
You just have to take the time to go through the transition.

 

[ThinCrappyTone2]

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

just keep playing the shorty, don't play the 34 for a while, muscle memory will come. Eventually, playing 34 will feel weird and 30 will feel natural. That's how it worked out for me at least

 

[MCF]

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.

I try to rotate my short scale Thunderbird or Mustang into the rotation as I practice. After a while switching between the two scales becomes pretty easy.

 

[sgiacomo]

So Anyway, Nice bass. I recently bought a G&L Fallout 30". No problems with the transition and I still sound like me.

How does the Gibson SG hang? Any neck dive?

I'm looking for a short scale Gibson, but the LP semi-hollow that I want doesn't come up very often.

Thanks! It balances perfectly, and only weighs seven pounds so I'm really digging that aspect.

 

[CochinoBass]

It will come naturally, just keep at it. When it happens you will suddenly realize you have adapted and you dont know when it happened. I switch between 34, 33.25 and 30.5 and dont even think about it now.

 

[Acoustic356]

I play:

• 17" Soprano
• 27" Tenor
• 30"
• 34"
• 35"

The key to me is slowing down and understanding your ergonomics. Here are the things that I do to kind of set my posture and feel.

1. Run a major scale at the 5th fret
2. Run a minor pentatonic scale at the 12th fret

Once I lock into neutral for the scale, there aren't any issues.

 

[Hurricane Jimmie]

Thanks! It balances perfectly, and only weighs seven pounds so I'm really digging that aspect.

Thanks. Looks like I need to check one out.

 

[sgiacomo]

Thanks. Looks like I need to check one out.

I think the lightweight tuners and bridge make a difference as well. They seem much lighter than the original hardware but I don't know that for certain.