Essential Posture for Bass Players

A quick overview of the most important elements of seated and standing posture for the electric bass. Full rundown of the essentials of posture for bassists here:

[Mark-qcts]

Very well explained, so right.. after 40 years of hunching up and rounding my back, I've been diagnosed with c6, c7 disc nerve bi lateral compression and it's horrible and painful... Also got tennis elbow in my fret forearm, such an irritable pain... I've just purchased a foot stool and a better chair... No more sitting on soft sofa, hinhcing over like a large prawn... Thanks for the advice.. invaluable 👍👍

[byebyeoldusername]

i’m trying to learn electric bass while already being an upright player and these videos are really helpful to make sure i’m not just trying to play the upright sideways

[JoolsGuitar]

thanks for this. I play my bass on my left leg but I thought it was wrong because no other bassist do that. Now with your explanation I am in peace with my posture

[Stewkeithmtb]

Thank you so much. Been playing since the early 80s and have never considered the points you raised in this video. My back and neck problems have returned with a vengeance since I started playing bass again after a few years away from it and I can now see why.

[monxyo]

Excelent advice.. from now on think i will practice standing.. leg pain just began a couple of days ago, and just realized was on the same leg i rest my bass....thanks!!!

[jean-frustre]

Thank you so mutch for youre video it help me a lot . I was waking up with a lot of pain in my neck . You changed my life basically 💯🤘

[LilyArciniega]

I've had a couple of people poke fun at me for using the classical guitar position but it's so comfortable that I can't be bothered to do it the other way. :] it can be a problem when on frets 1-3 though, or if your jack is located on the side end.

[PaapiPasito]

So I stumbled upon this video as I was looking for a tosin abasi bass in action because of its ergonomics.. tho couldn't find any videos of that bass being played in this position. I have a misaligned arm post-surgery... And this position is what seems to be the best... So glad to see you in agreement.

[Camerz]

I play left handed, and when i practice sitting down, my bass rests on my right leg (equivalent of left leg for you, i can probably say "inner" leg in this case). i never found it comfortable to rest it on the "outer" leg, i prefer to have the body of the bass between my legs, but i rarely see that done on youtube. the other method is uncomfortable to me, so I'm glad to see it in this video.

I also generally have the headstock of the bass at an angle that it is level with my shoulder/head, and i sorta have the neck pushed out slightly. it means my fretting hand (right hand for me) doesn't have a sharp angle, and neither does my plucking hand. but, then my fretting hand can get fatigued for being elevated, so it is tough to navigate.

I've only been playing since the end of the 22nd dec, 2023 (as of now, it is afternoon christmas day), so I still have a lot to learn. thanks for this video!

[eironbacon]

Im struggling so much with my bass, it has neck dive, When it's on my lap I always had to put my right arm on top of the body to stop the neck dive

[OldDolio]

I’ve gotten a horrible muscle pain in my right lower abdomen area and while I don’t know what I did to get this, I think sitting on my couch and playing bass/guitar isn’t helping as my couch is low enough that I feel a lot of pressure in the affected area. Anybody know what is the appropriate height someone should sit at while playing?

[tmb]

Just found this video. This is how I play. However, It is negatively affecting my picking, as it it makes it hard to pick perpendicular, rather than at an angle, which causes the edge of the pick to slide on the strings. Any advice?

[Wolfman]

I started playing bass over 10 years ago I have the worst hand posture of all time, thanks to some serious double joints, trying to improve nkw

[nanophyr_]

If I'm standing and my bass rests in the centre of my body, my shoulder (left trap) aches whilst reaching to low frets.
Any one else experience this or have any advice? Maybe I'm better standing with the body of the bass further right of the hip.

[Skelterbane]

I usually keep my bass between the two positions.
Means I can't sit down with it, but I have thick thighs anyway, so the bass gets pushed upwards lol

But it does give me the best of both worlds, kinda.

[polarbear]

While standing with such a high poture: don't do this, unless you want an injury on your right hand. NO T-Rex hands!

[Mykahaia]

That's how I intended to play with it since this is how I play guitar.

[SheepWaveMeByeBye]

The classical guitarists are moving away from the footstool. If used for a prolonged period of time it can cause a lot of troubles with your hips.