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Sitting down when playing live. . .

L

lefty007

Jan 19, 2004
3,455
84
Miami, FL
#1
Does anynody here play regular bass guitar sitting down when playing live, at clubs or bars, or even outdoor stages?

I'm always fighting with a bass' weight and always trying to find a light and ergonomic bass, but it never occurred to me that I can play Anthony-Jackson style: sitting down.

I play in a 10-piece latin funk band, which is all groove/dance oriented, but I always stand back by the drummer, just laying it down. I'm not jumping around on stage or anything. I do take the sporadic solo, but I'm not suspended on air like Michael Anthony, or spitting fire like Gene Simmons.

I'm just wondering if I would get people asking what's wrong with me . . . .

It just seems like such a good idea to concentrate in my playing instead of my sore feet or shoulders/back.

I'm just getting older and fat. :(
 
#5
lefty007 said:
I'm just wondering if I would get people asking what's wrong with me . . . .
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Don't worry about it, your the bass player; they don't know your there anyway. :D

Seriously, get yourself a comfy stool and concentrate on your playing. IMO, if your not required to exhibit major stage presence then there really isn't any reason why you couldnt choose to sit.

When I used to play out I would alternate between sitting and standing depending on the song.
 
#7
4lPh4n0m3g4 said:
Don't worry about it, your the bass player; they don't know your there anyway. :D

Seriously, get yourself a comfy stool and concentrate on your playing. IMO, if your not required to exhibit major stage presence then there really isn't any reason why you couldnt choose to sit.

When I used to play out I would alternate between sitting and standing depending on the song.
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I've been sitting while playing for several years now. Not to be kool but due to chronic pain. No one has complained about it yet. I sit as a bassist and lead guitarist both.
 
#8
I will sit at coffee house gigs for the smoother or jazzier stuff, but stand for the rocking parts of the sets. I sit at rehearsal because I am still fighting plantar fasciitis, but for a few outdoor shows coming up, I'll stand. Another TBer recommended foam anti-fatigue mats, so I have set of those I'll be using.
 
#9
I sit when I play at church, I am right at the back by the drummer. I use a piano seat and I cross my legs to get my bass into the right spot. When I jam I usually sit as well, I sit on my amp then and again cross my legs to get the bass to the right height.

lowsound
 
#10
Any time I've ever seen pics of James Jamerson, he was sitting. Albeit on a high stool and one foot on the ground, but it offers more support. And it doesn't come much cooler than Jamerson.

Also considering the fact that it's a 12 piece Latin band you're in, you're not going to be noticed as much.


Walnut
 
#11
I play in a Top40 covers band and have future goals to hopefully realise.

I always bring a chair or two to gigs. Chuck em on top of my cab, my bag'o'stuff on top again, wheel to stage. :)

I usually choose appropriate moments, such as ballads or slower songs, but if I feel like sitting, I do.

As previously mentioned, well known players do too.
 
#12
I play in a duo and the guitar player/singer recently decided he'd rather sit. I did one gig standing with him sitting and felt like a tool, so I had to acquiesce. It's really a different beast when sitting down. The one thing I like about it is that the bass sits naturally high, which I prefer, in this sad world in which everyone on the pop scene wears their bass at the knees...lol.
 
#15
My problem with sitting is that the the bass seems neck-heavy - I'm always holding the neck up with my thumb then!

Sitting also puts the frets in a different spot, with everything comparably 'shifted to the right'. Also - even disregarding the neck-heaviness, when I'm stting, I can't angle the neck UP as far as I like ('up' like 'headstock pointing up').

I'm thinking of trying one of those Barkers or something - zero weight on my shoulder (half the reason it's tiring to stand, right?), and a nice, vertical fretboard!

Joe
 
#16
I sit when I play (I play in a jazz band, if that makes a difference to you). My bass' neck is angled up ever so slightly when I play, too.

But I lean over a bit, put my hair in my eyes, and pretend I look dangerous.
 
#17
Sitting rules! I do stand and move around a lot for some gigs, but always sit for the rest, and for rehearsals and practicing. Don't worry about the presence - you can still be sophisticated and animated sitting down!

A swivel bar stool is perfect - you're not QUITE sitting all the way down, but it looks cool, and you'll be more comfortable for sure!
 
#18
I perfer to sit, I just tell 'em I'm into Anthony Jackson. Some groups don't like it, but can usually compromise with a bar stool. If back is a issue I've seen a harness like strap this guy uses that helps him. It looks kinda like a vest, but its straps and it connects to the back of his bass. I have no idea where he got it.

Back in the 70's I ran into a bass player with back problems and had this thing that looked like a belt, and connected to the back of his Fender. He claimed Fender made it. But that was a long time ago.
 
#19
Joe P said:
My problem with sitting is that the the bass seems neck-heavy - I'm always holding the neck up with my thumb then!
Click to expand...
Must be an un-fixed T-Bird.

Joe P said:
Sitting also puts the frets in a different spot, with everything comparably 'shifted to the right'.
Click to expand...
Nope, can't be a T-Bird.

In your band, sitting would be acceptable.
Since the band I'm in requires standing, most all of my basses are heavy, and I'm not growing younger...a 4-1/2" strap helped a lot. If it was worse, a lightweight(yes, they are) 80's Steinberger with the pivot could be used.

For now I only sit to work on tunes. For practicing(home or at work at lunch) "on-the-list" material, I stand up unless I'm really tired.
 
#20
DocBop said:
I perfer to sit, I just tell 'em I'm into Anthony Jackson. Some groups don't like it, but can usually compromise with a bar stool. If back is a issue I've seen a harness like strap this guy uses that helps him. It looks kinda like a vest, but its straps and it connects to the back of his bass. I have no idea where he got it.

Back in the 70's I ran into a bass player with back problems and had this thing that looked like a belt, and connected to the back of his Fender. He claimed Fender made it. But that was a long time ago.
Click to expand...

I saw a guy once playing for the Judds when they opened for Neil Young back in the 80s, and he had some kind of a stand for his bass that he just walked up to and played. He could also twirl it around on the stand, like a pin wheel. He seemed kinda dorky to be honest, but it was more him than the stand.
 

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