Upper register playing

[ninefingerbass]

As I was practicing this evening, I noticed while playing in the upper register, it's more or less difficult to reach the E and A string past the 17th fret while working on some soloing and arpeggios. Another thing I noticed, my thumb comes out to allow for that added reach.

I'm curious if others have similar issues.

For added info: I'm playing a 5 string tuned E-C and the neck is not wide.

 

[Samatza]

Yes, up at that end of the instrument you need to kind of swing your hand around to reach, sometimes your thumb ends up sort of under the neck instead of behind it.

Since the instrument was not initially designed for upper register playing those big blocky heels didn't seem like an issue. When players started exploring those upper reaches there were any number of adaptations to improve access but mostly still it's not quite ideal.

I kind of live with it because if I have to throw in a solo or two during the night it's no big deal.

 

[Nashrakh]

I've been wondering the same thing, how your hand should be positioned in upper register playing.

One thing that may be worthy of consideration is to look at how upright players do it. The so-called "thumb position" means they don't use the thumb as a lever at all, like so:

I have not yet explored the possibilities or disadvantages of this technique when it comes to electric bass. It may feel quite weird at first, I bet.

 

[mambo4]

Wait, there's more frets past the 12th ????

 

[Marcus Willett]

...One thing that may be worthy of consideration is to look at how upright players do it. The so-called "thumb position" means they don't use the thumb as a lever at all, like so:

Ive messed around with thumb position on electric and while weird at first it works quite well.

 

[ninefingerbass]

Ive messed around with thumb position on electric and while weird at first it works quite well.

I've used thumb position before playing upright but not much on electric. It's tough on the thumb...I should tell my thumb to shoot down some whiskey and be a man!

 

[ninefingerbass]

Since the instrument was not initially designed for upper register playing those big blocky heels didn't seem like an issue.

My issue is the lower horn. I'm thinking about shaving it so I can have a little more access. I'd don't mind the heel but that lower horn is definitely in the way.

 

[Snarf]

As I was practicing this evening, I noticed while playing in the upper register, it's more or less difficult to reach the E and A string past the 17th fret while working on some soloing and arpeggios. Another thing I noticed, my thumb comes out to allow for that added reach.

I'm curious if others have similar issues.

For added info: I'm playing a 5 string tuned E-C and the neck is not wide.

Not really an issue, more of a reality of the ergonomics of the instrument. In my case my thumb starts to poke out from the top of the neck. Opposite of DB thumb position. But I usually opt to play laterally on the fingerboard instead to avoid some of the awkwardness of the very highest positions on the fretboard.