Bassing: You're Doing It Wrong (Posture For Bass Guitarists pt.9 of 7)

[@edthewave]

Another idea is to play one of those Bass Ukulele style instruments. Small scale, punchy, thicc tone and it won't break your back or hands. It might be worth checking out. The good thing about instrument technology these days is that we don't need big instruments anymore to get big sound.

[@TransformsIntoAGuitar]

A really good idea!

[@sylvainbourque2922]

What an excellent series. Informative, technical but not dry, good humour. Why so little viewers? Hopefully PhD complete! Thank you very much.

[@TransformsIntoAGuitar]

Why so few viewers? People don't even realise they should know these things.

[@geepers100]

After watching this video I came up with a twin strap system which works really well. The first strap is per standard over the left shoulder. The second strap attaches to a new button alongside the existing one on the upper horn, goes over the right shoulder and attaches to a new button on the lower horn. Adjust strap lengths to make weight even on each shoulder. I use Schaller locks all round which means everything just snaps on/off. The bass is now in the ideal playing position, feels half the weight and has zero neck dive. An added bonus is that my playing technique has improved as I’m no longer having to “hold” the bass.

[@TransformsIntoAGuitar]

Nice! So you were happy drilling extra holes?

[@LoveMyPadres]

Can't believe no comments! Great idea for the second strap. I'm surprised that strap makers haven't done anything with this. I've found that the wider the strap, the better my heavier basses feel.

[@duster8373]

I got a really fat strap from scottsbasslessons.com and I friggin love that strap. I mostly play upright, though.

[@ObviouslyNotItalian]

Great video! Loved the humor mixed with good information:) I'll check everything you have on posture and subscribe, thanks for the good content:)

[@edthewave]

I'm a bass and synth player who recently is getting back to guitar and chose a nylon string classical guitar with passive pickups and cutaway. Despite my height and size at 6 foot 4 and 240 lbs, and even using an otherwise great bass guitar (Ibanez SR 506 6-string), I can't help the feeling that the bass guitar is overall a rather poorly designed instrument. The scale length is a bit too long to comfortably fret the notes, even for larger people like me, and they are usually heavy to play standing. I feel like the bass guitar should have been closer to a baritone guitar scale length (like maybe 27-29 inches from nut to bridge), and the string spacing should have been closer to the classical guitar (maybe a bit wider) but radiused. But oh well, Leo Fender messed it up and the rest is history. 🤷

[@LarsAquinonez]

Good info. Will look into the strap button at the 7th fret. Seems extreme, but I can see why it makes ergonomic sense. Strandberg guitars and basses have the strap button placed behind the top horn rather than at the tip (I assume to encourage a forward angle. Do you have thoughts on this difference of button placement?

[@TransformsIntoAGuitar]

Not really. My BC Rich Warlock has them on the back. I'm not keen on that but honestly it has far worse design issues!

[@CatmanJimbo]

If you have any thoughts on electric guitar that would be different than your advice for bass/classical guitars I'd be super interested in them. Love all the posture lessons, thank you :)

[@TransformsIntoAGuitar]

No, I don't. I think what I've done so far covers it.

[@donaldthompson7766]

Just play the upright bass bro

[@TransformsIntoAGuitar]

Oooh, what about medial epicondylitis? AKA cellist's elbow.