The Perfect Bass Position... a must for all bass players! (L#135)

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I’ve seen countless bass players struggling with their technique – they can’t seem to play faster type lines or make big stretches on the fingerboard… in fact stretching any more than 4 frets is a struggle for them.

In most cases bad positioning is at the root of all these problems.

Positioning your bass correctly whilst sitting or standing is absolutely vital. Not only could it hold your bass playing back in ways you may not realise, but even more seriously than that it can effect your health.

In this lesson I’m going to show you some techniques to help you find the perfect bass position.

As always, see you in the shed…

Scott :)

PS. If you enjoy this lesson and really want to become a “technique jedi” on the bass you should check out our full technique course within the S.B.L Academy. It’s over 2 hours long and includes the very exercises I developed working with hundreds of students over the years, and ultimately completely changed my bass playing.

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[babayaga]

i raised my bass up even higher last week, with my bass at the same position standing as sitting, i can get to all my techniques equally, i can finger pluck, slap, pick, tap whatever i need to do comfortably

[devinebass]

Against all odds... I'm releasing a brand new lesson today! 

I got hit on the head by a falling branch this morning and was knocked clean out! 4 hours in hospital... stitches... and a very saw head!...

BUT - THE GROOVE MUST GO ON! 

In this new lesson i'm going to show you a couple of techniques that will help you find the perfect position for your bass.

Groove on guys! ]

The Perfect Bass Position... a must for all bass players! (L#135)

[billkerker]

Great technique I’m 56 and have played electric bass since I was 13 and enjoy watching the videos brings me back to the basics which we all tend to override or forget.
Rock the He** excellent tutelage. 

[NoLifeKingRL]

This really solved my left shoulder cramping problem thanks! As a beginner you really tend to pull it close on the left so you can see the frets which leads to that horizontal position.

[danielhertlein]

Well done!! I most always practice standing up, cuz when playing live I'm standing.

[bombthesystemsnl]

Black hardware and natural wood finish looks so cool!
By the way, great tips

[ownstyle]

It’s not about looks hanging the bass low for some of us bass players!
My perfered way of playing is full finger. If you’re using your palm as a resting point instead of your thumb it becomes a whole different story. Fast powerfull playing is so much harder if your cupping your hand like most bass players do. You have to engage the wrist by flicking it backwards as you play if you wanna maximize power, and keep the power up for a whole gig (Take as much load of the fingers as possible). Hence hanging the bass pretty low to keep the arm in a neutral/relaxed position, allowing the wrist to do the work. Steve Harris and Cliff Burton are two good examples of full finger players. Any live video/photo of them will tell you why they hang the bass low

[danee]

Mike Dirnt is one of the few punk bass players whose guitar isn't hanging down his knees

[belairrock]

Great lesson! It open many doors, even for me who has been playing bass for ages!

[rawstarmusic]

Compliments for the clip-on mic, the sound is very close an good even in larger rooms. The standing position is good, leg prevents the same angle while sitting down. Lying down it's possible to play, sleep a couple of hours and play again when waking up. $1 is a very good deal for deep diving lessons I must say.

[manydreamslife]

Great Advice... Easy to overlook something so small, but it winds up being a huge deal... Nice Educational Detail ....

[catalin]

Great lesson Scott! Was looking for a lesson like this one a couple of years ago and couldn't find! Thx and keep up the good work! cheers from Romania!

[alfredbellanti]

Thank you for providing these lessons Scott.

[gordman]

As a punk player, I wouldn’t be caught dead with my bass that high. To counteract this I practice with it low, so I’m used to it.

[tomilchik]

Wrist angles, plus relatively short fingers (can only do a 9th on piano with my LH), plus all basses 5+: ended up with exactly same :) Including pushing neck up.
Practice: for exactly Scott’s reasons (gig how you practice) - sitting or standing, always with strap; bass never actually rests on the knee, just touches it.
Cosmetics/cool factor of it: not a factor, whatever the style :))) Jazzers don’t ask; rock/punkers - maybe they do, I pretend not to hear

[larskappeler]

I totally agree but playability is only one aspect. As a live musician you often not only have to provide the service of bass playing, you also have to do a show. Green Day is a good example. Their fans are not interested in musically perfectly performed song, their audience is buying a life attitude with the ticket.
And The Sisters Of Mercy once said "A good live instrument has to look good, sound good, feel good. In that order."
So I don't agree with "a must for all bass players". ;-)

[thaddeuscorea]

I have always tried to avoid the bent wrist stuff. Very important. But, I have long arms, and my right arm/hand is in a more relaxed playing position with my bass just a few inches lower than if I am sitting. When I sit to practice, I find my wrist bends more so than when I am standing. Although, your hint of opening up my right elbow has helped a little with that.

[johnsamuelpenacerrada]

4:51-4:56 Haha. Thank you for this because it helps a lot. Good job!

[kabutoid]

After watching this video I went to experiment with my strap height.

Thanks for the tips! ;)

[RandyLott]

I've found that I bend my right wrist slightly because I think it sounds a lot better. However, I try to minimize the angle and keep my wrist very loose.

I also play 6-string bass and my hands are average size. You have to be careful.