Playing sitting down - issue with the classical guitar position

[Stagelab]

I started playing sitting down using the classical guitar position with the bass resting on my left leg. Aim is to reduce wrist tension in my right (plucking) hand. Only problem is, in this position the lowest register of the bass is very far away and fretting those notes causes strain in my left arm and wrist. I play a 34” and a 30” and this is only a problem with the 34”. Any recommendations?

 

[Killing Floor]

Have you tried sitting the bass on your right leg?

Bass is a lot longer than a classical guitar.

Also, try playing with a strap even when seated. Let the bass balance above your leg.

Experiment.

 

[Five or Six]

Stand up and play the 34 and, sit down and play the 30.

 

[BadMonk]

What Killing Floor said.

I always play sitting down. The bass rests on my right leg, once in a while the left if playing in higher registers. Always a strap even if not really using it. Sit up straight and try not to slouch.

I also found Guitar Slip No More rests/pads helped immensely. Slip No More

 

[Stagelab]

Have you tried sitting the bass on your right leg?

Bass is a lot longer than a classical guitar.

Also, try playing with a strap even when seated. Let the bass balance above your leg.

Experiment.

I used to play with it resting on my right leg for years. Solves the issue I mentioned in my first post here but then my wrist is at an angle which leads to wrist and thumb strain.

 

[13bass]

I started playing sitting down using the classical guitar position with the bass resting on my left leg. Aim is to reduce wrist tension in my right (plucking) hand. Only problem is, in this position the lowest register of the bass is very far away and fretting those notes causes strain in my left arm and wrist. I play a 34” and a 30” and this is only a problem with the 34”. Any recommendations?

I use a strap whether sitting or standing, so the bass is always in basically the same position. I have more trouble with just putting the bass on my right leg, it is always sliding out of position with the body contour.

 

[SteveCS]

I started playing sitting down using the classical guitar position with the bass resting on my left leg. Aim is to reduce wrist tension in my right (plucking) hand. Only problem is, in this position the lowest register of the bass is very far away and fretting those notes causes strain in my left arm and wrist. I play a 34” and a 30” and this is only a problem with the 34”. Any recommendations?

What sort of angle is your neck* at and are you using a strap to stabilise the bass? When sitting (bass always on left leg) I aim for a neck angle of at least 45° from horizontal.

* bass neck, not that fleshy thing holding your head on!!

 

[Stagelab]

What sort of angle is your neck* at and are you using a strap to stabilise the bass? When sitting (bass always on left leg) I aim for a neck angle of at least 45° from horizontal.

* bass neck, not that fleshy thing holding your head on!!

I use a strap whether I rest the bass on my right or left leg. When using classical guitar positioning my neck is probably 45-55 degrees. This helps ensure no tension in my right hand wrist BUT I have a long reach to fret the lowest notes. When I rest my bass on my right leg the neck isn’t angled as much, obviously.

 

[Deleted member 394181]

Sitting with Bass On R. Leg with a Footrest works for me.

 

[J Wilson]

The old-school advice was to adjust your strap to where when you sat down, it was at exactly the right length to perch on your right thigh. This way, the bass was in the same place sitting and/or standing.

I'd add it does work for some, but not everyone's individual anatomy works well with this method.

 

[onda'bass]

Usually on my right leg. On the left my arm is more relaxed when seated for both.

 

[SteveCS]

I use a strap whether I rest the bass on my right or left leg. When using classical guitar positioning my neck is probably 45-55 degrees. This helps ensure no tension in my right hand wrist BUT I have a long reach to fret the lowest notes. When I rest my bass on my right leg the neck isn’t angled as much, obviously.

I have to ask - in terms of the bass geometry, where is the strap button relative to the fingerboard. For example, is it over the 12th or 14th fret?

 

[mambo4]

Any recommendations?

Without any pics or video I can only guess.
Bent left hand wrist strain often comes form left elbows tucked into the body.
Maybe raise your left elbow up and away from your body to minimize the left wrist bend

Many players get recommendations about how to position the bass
usually half informed for their specific situation - "same strap length sitting or standing" , "raise /lower the strap" etc
They try to follow the advice bass first , and then contort their unique body geometry to this generically recommended bass position.

the real trick is to figure out how to position your body, arms and hands comfortably
and then reposition the bass to suit what is comfortable

so sit, put the bass in "classical guitar" position on your left leg, put your right hand in pluck position, left in fretting position
and ask yourself:
- how can I move my bass to make this more comfortable?
- how can I move my body to make this more comfortable?
take a half hour to figure out the unique biomechanics you need to have comfortable left and right hands.

OP also does not mention if they are 1FPF slave... 1FPF can be straining on a full scale instrument.

 

[pcake]

my wrist and right shoulder are more relaxed with the bass on my right leg. YMMV.

 

[Watchootognbout]

I always use the classical position.
And I always use a strap.
But I sit on the edge of the seat so that my bass is a bit lower than the seat.
That way My left arm is not raised so far.