Playing sitting down

[wishforbass]

One of my biggest challenge is playopl comfortable on my bass specially when sitting down .after 2 years I can not comfortable play with my right hand except if I put my right hand near the neck and play there over fret 22 and 24 .
That way my right hand won't bent .
Other way is that put Bass between my legs instead of on my right leg .
One of my fear is that thjt damage my playing and push me back .
What do you think ?

 

[bholder]

I put the bass on my left leg so that it rests between the legs. As long as I'm careful about my back and wrist positions, it seems to work ok.

Edit: I should add I prefer wearing a strap (extra long) even when I'm sitting down, just helps keep the bass secure.

 

[Mushroo]

Hi @wishforbass, I looked at some pictures you posted in this thread: Is it me have small finger or sitting down or up

I noticed that in all of the photos where you are sitting down, you are not wearing a strap.

I recommend to adjust your strap so that your bass hangs in the same position, whether you are standing up or sitting down.

 

[Russell L]

Yeah, sitting down is uncomfortable for my right hand, too. I do it anyway sometimes, though, just to give my shoulder and feet some rest. I haven't found a good solution yet for my wrist angle while sitting except to just stand back up after awhile. And I really don't want my strap height to mimmick when I'm sitting. It's too high for me that way. I have long arms (34" sleeve length) and long fingers.

 

[buldog5151bass]

You may not want to hear it, but if you want to play sitting down, you should learn to have the instrument at the same level as when you are standing. Otherwise you have to learn different techniques, never mind risking carpal tunnel syndrome.

 

[Russell L]

You may not want to hear it, but if you want to play sitting down, you should learn to have the instrument at the same level as when you are standing. Otherwise you have to learn different techniques, never mind risking carpal tunnel syndrome.

I wish it were possible, but there's no way, for me that is. It's the very reason that I don't sit much when playing bass. Now, when standing I don't wear my bass all that low to avoid bad posture for my fretting hand. But it's lower than when I'm sitting.

LOL, as I get older I may have to start playing laying down.

 

[wishforbass]

I wish it were possible, but there's no way, for me that is. It's the very reason that I don't sit much when playing bass. Now, when standing I don't wear my bass all that low to avoid bad posture for my fretting hand. But it's lower than when I'm sitting.

LOL, as I get older I may have to start playing laying down.

Lol actually in studio I played lying down for at least 3 songs because we were recording one album in 17 hours and we couldn't rest because label wanted realise the songs before weekend.i was very comfortable but sleepy that I didn't know what I played and lol our live sounds different because of that .

 

[Watchootognbout]

 

[Russell L]

That looks like it works. I've tried it, but didn't really like the bass that far to my left. It also made my left shoulder uncomfortable. And, I have a torn tendon in my left bicep that didn't like it.

But I get it. Just doesn't work for me. It does solve the strap height dilemma, though.

 

[Groove Doctor]

Do whatever works for you.

 

[TheReceder]

Ditto on what works. I know my form is horrible when I sit, so every once in a while I make sure to practice standing.

As for laying down... I had a full time job unloading trailers when I was a kid. I'd be dirty and wore out.
The band I was in was doing a 5 nighter and I got a last minute call at work saying that I had to show up straight from work to play a 2 hour happy hour from 5-7... (I'm covered in dirt, and dead tired) I got there, plugged in laid down with my head inside my old 7 foot folded horn (sugar scoop). and played the set as close to comatose as you could get. It actually got the crowd kind of interested. Ticked off a guitar player something fierce.

2 hours and a short nap later... we rocked a Friday night crowd.

 

[Turbo Sparky]

Practice like you want to play.
Proper techniques in each (sitting and standing).
If you practice routinely while sitting, then try to stand and play at a gig/rehearsal...you will not sound/play well.
Practice like you play.
Good luck.

 

[pcake]

do you put the waist of your bass on your right thigh when you're playing? that works for me with most basses, although not all.

btw, have you experimented with different chair heights when you sit and play? not all heights are comfortable for me, so maybe not for you, either.

 

[CallMeAl]

This video covers the sitting and standing at same position thing:

 

[JW56789]

I went through the stage where I never played sitting down. Felt too different, strange.

Then I bought into the 'adjust your strap with the bass in your lap, then leave it the same when you stand' method. Well, if felt to high on me standing up, and sitting down still felt weird.

Finally I tried sitting with it as a classical guitarist would, like the pics gebass6 posted above, and it was just great. One day I got the bright idea to sit with it like that, and loop the strap to the bottom button on the bass around the outside of my leg (wherein I proved Strap Locks take quite a jolt!). . . . . . then the phone rang and I stood up, and if I had a YouTube vid of it, I could have retired right afterwards . . . . . . anyway, that's what I prefer sitting down.

Kids, don't try that at home.

 

[pappabass]

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Nice bass, is that a LTD D6?

 

[pappabass]

Ever play a upright? That is what I learned on, its actually comfortable. I have sat my electric vertical & played. Actually was nice. Looked funny.

 

[8liter]

Due to my weightlifting and powerlifting hobbies, I have had to greatly modify how I play due to my body changes over the last 7 years. My upper leg (quad) diameter is now 29", so I started playing in the classical position when seated and moved my right hand towards the neck. I also use a strap to hold the bass in position.

 

[Gearhead17]

I will learn certain parts of a song sitting down, but do all of my main practicing standing up. Since I wear the bass really low (long arms) it's more comfortable for me to do that. No wrist or shoulder pain when standing up. Plus, you are standing up live or jamming with others, aren't you? Like someone else said; practice like you play.

 

[SactoBass]

Ticked off a guitar player something fierce.

Good!