How do y'all do it?
I've been learning a new song, the actual bass line is not that hard but i'm finding it damn near impossible to play fluidly as most of it is on the first three frets of the low E (classic bassist joke lols) - first time i tried it my had actually did a couple of spasms.. which i assume is a bad thing.. I've been adjusting the strap to try different positions but none really help, even playing sitting down is uncomfortable as bass head is "too far away" to be comfortable.
Is it a case of practice and perseverance, or does anyone have any tips for not being Achey McBasshand?
Comments
I wear my P bass fairly low and have no trouble reaching the low end of the neck. Would a shorter scale bass help?
(Sorry, stuck record ahead... )
One of the things I like so much about the Rickenbacker 4001/3 is that the upper horn is quite long, and the body is ‘reverse offset’, so no matter if it’s on a strap or sitting down, the first fret is not too far away even for my short arms. The very slightly shorter scale (33.25”) helps a bit too.
Most other basses are not like this.
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
It’s but a short step from there to a fretless 5-string Jazz.
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
Man Bass or go home
@bridgehouse - It's the green one with the buggered neck pocket from the jam.
I'll try again while making sure thumb is on the back as i can't guarantee that's where it is..
Got home and left wife and child playing with the front door while I went and got 'changed'
Thumb behind the neck, arm out. Quick play through - it worked mostly! Did have to tilt bass up to reach so attack on picking hand (fingers not fast enough yet) was a bit odd.
It's a definite platform for Improvement though.
Thank you bassboard masters
Imagine, if you will, the edge of the bass neck nearer the highest string resting against your fretting hand roughly where the third joint of the index finger meets the palm. It should be possible to articulate without involving the thumb at all.
I occasionally go thumb over. This only tends to help on instruments with a low B or when a D-Tuner device is in use on the E string.
For Chapman Stick, both thumbs have to remain in contact with the flat back of the instrument in order to maximise hammer-on strength.
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein