Playing while standing up

[cool-beans]

Hey guys

I have difficulties hitting frets, especially the higher ones (ie, the ones closer to the bridge) when I play and stand at the same time. I have to use a lot more force to reach frets, basically, and my wrist hurts after 5 to 10 minutes of playing.

Are there exercises I can do to fix this? I'm not slinging my bass really low or anything. In fact, I'm slinging it the at highest possible point.

 

[AchromaticHues]

you should try slinging it a bit lower..! it can be uncomfortable when it's so high up that ur left wrist (assuming u play right handed) is obstructed..

 

[rottenramone]

here's what gary willis says http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_oBJlE5qNc

 

[cool-beans]

If it helps, this is how I hold the bass standing up:

 

[b33r]

that's...not even high at all. strap it higher and see if it helps. if that's the shortest your strap can go, then your strap's too long.

 

[cool-beans]

Damn, that's the highest it'll go. I'll try to angle the bass and see if my wrists can be straight. Otherwise I'll have to buy another strap. :/

 

[alanchia]

i also think it's strapped too low. you could get a shorter strap to try out.

also the plucking hand's wrist is in a awkward position which makes bass playing painful which may cause injury (in future).

 

[AlNino10]

yep, thats a low.. a comfortable height would be this:

imagine you've a belly, and th bass rests near th top of th tummy.

 

[cool-beans]

Something like this?

 

[AlNino10]

you've gotta shorten the strap buddy, get a S size strap. that strap is a lil too long.

the bass bottom of th bass can go somewhere near the top of yer tummy

 

[shinobi]

if play is uncomfortable while standing but not sitting, then the logical thing to do would be to strap the bass such that it is at the same level when you are standing as it is when you are sitting.

 

[mikeyway]

actually what you can do is: sit down and play first. build up your finger strength. play songs like hysteria or city of delusion by muse...or juicebox by the strokes...this way you can build up finger strength...when your fingers and strong and adept enough...then stand up and play.

 

[ehque]

Your playing position is going to wreck havoc on your wrists over time. Trust me, CTS (Carpal Tunnel Syndrome) is not fun.

Your wrists should not be bent so much. Try raising your right hand using your shoulder muscle. You should not need to rest the whole weight of your arm on your bass, and ESPECIALLY should not need to push it down to raise the neck (if your bass neck-dives then it's time for some mods or a different bass). Your shoulder may ache for a while but it is temporary. Wrist damage can be permanent.

In a similar way your left hand should be straight from elbow to knuckle. The knuckle can then bend upwards to allow you to fret your strings. The palm should not touch the back of the neck, only the thumb needs to.

Your strap position is ok. Some people play higher, some people play lower. But if you raise the bass now your right wrist will be put under even more strain. Get the technique right and then you can adjust the location of your bass. Ideally it should be at the same height when you sit and when you stand.