Wrist angle? wrong?

[fearceol]

Anyway, I've been playing for twenty five years and have yet to have any issues with my wrist. Listen to your body before you listen to anonymous folks on Talkbass.

The OP is not obliged to listen to anybody. However, he did seek and receive (good IMO ) advice.

Yes, listening to your body is recommended, but sometimes with the likes of tendinitis and RSI, your body can take too long to "tell" you that something is wrong. These issues can take years to appear, by which time the damage is done.

Is it not better to get advice at an early stage and nip things in the bud ?

 

[Hordehunterx]

As was stated in one of the links I posted earlier, a lot of people get away with playing with a bent wrist. This does not mean that it is a good idea to do so.

Also, sometimes these problems take years to manifest themselves. So the fact that you are not experiencing any symptoms now, is all the more reason to change your technique.

lol yes thats what i said, ill work on it , for the greater good anyway thank you for the advice!! once again tb you have done me well

 

[fearceol]

lol yes thats what i said, ill work on it , for the greater good anyway thank you for the advice!! once again tb you have done me well

Glad to be able to help.

Best of luck !

 

[Fergie Fulton]

The OPs position is bad, its wrongs and it will give him, or anyone else that uses that sort of angle, problems.

Personal anacdotes are fine about those who have used such positions and have been fine.....so far,
Its Malbro Man Syndrome to think it all well and fine because x and x done it this way, but in the end the sufferer carries the can, and a the cost for the rest of their lives.

If you want to know what I call Malbro Man Syndrome, check out the history of that campain, and the consequences of those that followed it by taking up smoking....because x and x said it was fine.

Sorry to sit on the fence on this one........but anyone feel free to ask more questions and i will answer if i can.

Clefs position is great, blood flow issues are for forearms pushing down on the top edge of a bass, not running along the front....Clef runs more along the front that on top, plus tissue mass plays a big part of this anyway.

 

[bass12]

The OP is not obliged to listen to anybody. However, he did seek and receive (good IMO ) advice.

Yes, listening to your body is recommended, but sometimes with the likes of tendinitis and RSI, your body can take too long to "tell" you that something is wrong. These issues can take years to appear, by which time the damage is done.

Is it not better to get advice at an early stage and nip things in the bud ?

It sure it. The thing is, there are a lot of factors involved in what is going to work and what is going to be a problem and one picture isn't going to tell the whole story. Just saying "straighten your wrist" isn't good enough - you have to look at everything else that is going on physically. No one else has mentioned the possible side effects of the OP straightening his wrist (e.g. a hunched shoulder). So let's say the OP does straighten his wrist and, as a consequence, gets into a habit of hunching his shoulder. This can likely have just as detrimental an effect on health as a wrist that is bent at "too extreme" an angle. If the OP is really concerned it might be worth visiting a physiotherapist (who will probably address general posture as well - something a lot of bassists overlook).

 

[fearceol]

It sure it. The thing is, there are a lot of factors involved in what is going to work and what is going to be a problem and one picture isn't going to tell the whole story. Just saying "straighten your wrist" isn't good enough - you have to look at everything else that is going on physically. No one else has mentioned the possible side effects of the OP straightening his wrist (e.g. a hunched shoulder). So let's say the OP does straighten his wrist and, as a consequence, gets into a habit of hunching his shoulder. This can likely have just as detrimental an effect on health as a wrist that is bent at "too extreme" an angle. If the OP is really concerned it might be worth visiting a physiotherapist (who will probably address general posture as well - something a lot of bassists overlook).

You are correct, there are many things involved that contribute to, or help to avoid injuries when playing the bass. I think it is reasonably safe to say that a bent wrist would be a major contributer to injury, as is general posture. No denying that a hunched shoulder can contribute to injury problems too. The OP will have to cross that bridge, and tackle that problem also, if/when it happens. As far as this particular thread is concerned, while it may not be enough to say "straighten your wrist," it is constructive advice, and a good place to start.