Right and Left Hand Positioning for Bass Guitar - Lesson with Scott Devine (L#59)

[@FreeformRock]

This really helped me, i just started with the bass 4 days ago and i was having a lot of fatigue and pain on my arm and my thumb. Great channel.

[@vincentkoster6291]

right hand: 0:00 - 2:45 left hand: 2:45 - 6:42

[@bromixsr]

When teaching a new bass student who asks for other resources to help in learning, I have a few that I am fond of using. I find that I often refer them to this video for "home work" when the discussion of hand position comes up. This is one of the best explanations of how and why in holding the instrument that I have come across and best part, it saves me the time of explaining step by step.

[@fuzzlabrador]

that is important kids, trust me - when I started to play guitar 25 years ago I was told all those things by a guitar teacher and being a normal r'n'r/metal teenager I told him to sod off...it took years of pain and sore wrist to get to a nice comfortable playing position. I mean - yes you can have your OWN handling style and position of playing, but it costs too much, you're way better off if you confirm to the damn norm and concentrate on the music you're playing.

[@duncanfoulger5288]

Picked up a bass yesterday, really glad I saw this now, thanks.

[@olivierhendriks1047]

Duncan Foulger Did you learn a lot in the past year?

[@SirRegio]

About two years now

[@hudsonsteele1970]

@@SirRegio more like 3

[@psychopenguincultist657]

Four years now

[@nice-qm5jc]

I hope he did. would love to hear what he sounds like now!

[@romelwell]

First time player and this is, by far, the best beginner video I've seen yet! Thanks!

[@zacccoffey838]

I'm so glad I found these videos! I've been playing my bass for about a year now and I've recently tarted to do covers but I've found it hard to do most intermediate level songs all because I've missed out a lot of these fundamentals! I wouldn't say I'm a complete novice player but I'm not intermediate and recently I've been in this unmotivated rut because I've thought that I'll never get as good as I want to be but sitting here now after watching only half an hours worth of lessons and I can already see a difference! It will still take a while but I really feel like this has really pushed me into the right direction! :D

[@ManuelMartinez-dy7gv]

You have the most comprehensive how to videos on KZbin. Thanks for your service man.

[@linbass]

i really needed that!! i always struggle with the positioning of my hands but now i know so thank you x

[@jill_peacock]

Thank you! Was having some issues with my right hand positioning and this helped a lot!

[@wayiqra4399]

Really helpful, thanks a bunch.

[@garrettlowell7637]

Thanks Scott. Instant improvement with these instructions.

[@LouisL1963]

Great lesson Scott, really like the emphasis on tension in the right & left hands being a bad thing.

[@xMasterxRazorx]

I was almost afraid when I clicked this video because I see some bass teachers say things that are just flat out wrong about hand positioning...but this was right on! I'm glad I paid attention to my wrists early on in my playing and found the most comfortable positions to play in (which are almost the exact same positions you're using in this video). I'm also glad you said wrapping the thumb over the neck is "restrictive". It isn't unhealthy, it's actually comfortable, but it is restrictive.

[@cococoquelicot9750]

Just bought my first bass! Thank you for this vid!

[@minkya1010]

I just can't figure out how to keep the left wrist straight no matter how much I try. I have smaller hands but I know this is not a deal breaker, so not trying to make excuses. I just don't wanna injure myself, and wanna learn the right way. thanks

[@Harlequin52]

Not certain its proper technique, but have you tried keeping the tip of your thumb pointed toward the headstock? In other words: Your thumb will be horizontal and nearly parallel with the back of the neck and the meat of the palm at the base of your thumb should rest comfortably on the neck of the bass, while your fingers curl to reach the strings (to reach the top E string, just move your hand position down the neck lower-towards G-so your fingers can reach, keeping the same shape). It doesnt work so well in the upper register, where the thumb is more or less forced to a more vertical position so as to reach the higher frets but maybe play around with it and see :)

[@stoniecad7805]

James mcavoy teaches bass?

[@lagunacinematics]

lmao the first thing i thought

[@kristymurray9483]

I've been playing for a few months and was wondering why I wasnt getting any better. You solved all my problems!!!! I have no nerve endings in my left hand so I'm use to watching the fretboard and focusing on that instead of spreading my arm away from my body!!! I need to watch my arm because the nerve damage lol

[@tychob36]

I've been a jazz guitarist for years but started playing bass in a rock band recently and ... OW. pain, pain, pain. This explains where a lot of my problems have come from.

[@mrlucius57]

thank you scott i really needed to know this

[@Samsmelserfb]

2:40 that riff... So simple, yet so outstanding.

[@andrewbaca678]

Hello Scott, this is my first week with a guitar. I am 59 years old and dang it, I am going to learn how to play a musical instrument. Thank you for this lessons. I would like to point out one error, not about playing the guitar but about anatomy. Flexing your wrist while playing causes tendons to irritate a ligament not a bone. The transverse carpal ligament can then swell which then compresses the median nerve leading to Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. This can become a very serious problem. Your advice to keep the wrist neutral is spot on.

[@KrimsoMusic]

When you removed the gloves, I was half-expecting some buzz from the left hand..but then I remembered that I am watching a terrific bass player. Thanks for the lessons Scott!

[@salottin]

Straight to the point. Hell yeah!

[@DSchopz]

how about when your playing up the neck because i do sometimes feel tension in my wrist everytime i play in the high notes

[@simeonkrompart6517]

if your talking up past 14 theres not much you can do, its just an acward area

[@chaseonthebass]

I recommend taking your thumb off at all don't even really anchor down there

[@devinebass]

I kinda use somewhere in between - but more fingertips than the pads.

[@clefdefa]

Finally someone saying the real thing !!! too many people just don't care and say "whatever float your boat" I've always been a perfect technic kind of guy, it is so important but since the bass is still a young instrument and linked to the rock revolution ... it doesn't have a lot of proper technic for it. So what I do is play more like a classic guitar player, to me they have the perfect technic for an instrument like the bass.

[@carriersignal]

Great lesson Scott. Thank you!

[@mike2tone]

I don't know if you posted this lesson based on what I wrote on your channel regarding this matter, but either way thank you so much for this. This is the kind of videos that help us become so much better players and is probably the only one out there.thanks again man and keep up the good work we will always keep watching and learning. (and donating in some cases haha)

[@alexlanza79]

Love this video! The sad thing is that many pros say the correct position is not to move the arms but to bend both the left and the right hand to play in the right way. Which actually means tendons, elbows and shoulder inflammations. The thing is that are good pros who can also play really well, but I don't understand how they can play like this and not get injured, unless they fill themselves with anti-inflammatory drugs or painkillers!

[@avi5124]

thanks, dude! I watched a lot of videos, but only now I understand what I'm doing wrong

[@soysantim]

This was really helpful, thanks man!

[@cyleoharmonica]

without resting on the bass, would your right shoulder get tired by raise the right hand for long period of time?

[@deo.strengthspan.project]

Thanks for helping me check that my right hand positioning is indeed correct. On my own I've developed a position similar to yours where the wrist is not perfectly straight, but there's a slight bend. But browsing the internet I came across some people saying resting your forearm on the bass (which produces that slight bend) is still bad and having it very straight with your shoulder keeping your elbow up (like how you said Gary Willis plays) was the correct way. Hopefully both are sufficient in preventing injury since I find your way to be more comfortable.

[@TTridata]

Gary Willis uses his right hand completely straight because he uses a classical guitar posture (where you rest your bass on your left leg) giving the bass an inclination, that makes possible to drop your right hand a little more. IMO there is not one only correct way, use the one you are more comfortable with, always been fully conscious you are not hurting your wrists and always try to play relaxed. Sorry for my english!

[@geyjune1551]

Thank you, i need this!

[@mimikyulover3411]

I am still struggling with my pinky a bit but this definitely helped

[@monkeylova1001]

I know this was 9 years ago but THANK YOOUUUU

[@tullio1863]

Thanks Scott!

[@fellazuab]

thank you for this videos!

[@Douglas-tf9gu]

Thank you it helped me

[@jonwis2183]

Thak you for this video!

[@devinebass]

👊🏻👊🏻👊🏻

[@brandonmeyer3273]

Thank you!

[@Canadiensdemtl69]

I am pretty sure you don't have time to read comments but I really like the perpendicular angle. Its looks strange but I try to imagine that I am you when you play. It help me to find my bad technique. Do you have a go pro camera ?

[@nyfaniloandrianjafy8171]

Doing Scott's Technique Accelerator 10 years after this video was uploaded. One thing that I noticed with the plucking hand is that your elbow moves. Otherwise playing the lower string will result in T-Rex hands again.

[@kudosbudo]

Ok... when I follow the fretting hand guide and put my hand nice and straight... my thumb comes over the top... is that bad? Keeping my hand in about teh sam eposition when i move it down to teh low notes I find the angle means my index finger is no longer able to reach my E 1st fret without bending my arm at the wrist. As such its impossible for me to put my idex on E1 and my ring OR pinky on D3 at the same time. I have to move my hand to hit each on. This is on a short scale bass. The problem get significantly worse on a regular scale bass haha. To combat the pain of trying to reach down here i've found that just hanging my thumb over teh front of the neck takes all strain from my wrist out as its now straight but it means I can't easily swap fingers anymore...

[@DonnieSoultrain]

Hey Scott! Do you have any tips for someone with short, far fingers? I have trouble getting that wide spread on my fingers, like you do. Do you have any videos that may help someone in my predicament? Thanks in advance!

[@nicholaskojane3451]

what are you playing at 4:27

[@ingridfelkl6981]

Is there some technique to those who has small hands? I have a lot of difficult to press the firsts notes, like F# and G =/

[@BrianFrancoeur]

Hey Scott -- Great video! What about left-hand muting? I find that I tend to curl my wrist more when playing music with a lot of ghost notes. I also find that, if I try to play really fast passages, I get pain in my ring and little fingers (specific example: Led Zeppelin's Immigrant Song with the scalar 16th-note ostinato run that goes for 3 measures). Thanks in advance for your help!

[@alexastaniotis6924]

I have the same issue, any tips ?

[@iagocupeiro]

Hi Scott Do you recommend one finger per fret always or you can use your little finger for the third fret? What is better? Is there any video of yours about left hand technique? Thanks

[@Mrjazztheband]

Thank you very helpful

[@davidhathaway4463]

Hey Scott, I love this video, I am also curious if there is a certain way one should hold thier hand when playing that is most optimal. it seems when you try to keep your hand in a neutral position? rather than having any of your fingers already resting on a particular string to begin with. Not sure if that makes sense. like you dont have any fingers bent or anything.

[@musicianjujan]

Hey Scott, why do u wear those gloves? I never saw this before... greetings

[@kaoruterra]

Hi Scott, thanks for these lessons, they're a godsend for a complete beginner like me. May I ask a question? I have arthritis in my hands, and in particular in the third and fourth fingers of my fretting hand, and even though I've been following the advice in this video it's really getting aggravated when I practice stretching my fingerspan. So I think I'm going to have to develop a two-finger fretting technique. Do you know of anywhere I might look for inspiration or advice? Thanks!

[@sabrinamorena2331]

hey Scott! I have a question. am I supposed to put my right tumb on the pick up and not move it when playing lower strings? (Sorry if this is confusing haha)

[@HabAnagarek]

I like to play in the upper register a lot; I like the voicing of chords and I fiddle with some melody lines. But, man, my wrist gets tired and sore fretting up there. I haven't found a comfortable position. I'll have to pay attention more to my arm, elbow, and wrist to see what I'm doing (thumb anchored behind neck, of course).

[@mrclark321]

How does the fret hand work if you are missing a finger....thanks

[@abgangswarte]

Hey, quick question, I just started playing bass, after training scales for 30 minutes I had some (not really pain but lets say) stress in the joints of my fingers, is that normal, or am I doing something wrong ?

[@danielbartleson5746]

I have small hands (little girl hands) and can get my index finger and middle finger to sit comfortably on the lower frets and maybe am able to put my ring finger on the middle of the third with a bit of a stretch. I was told at the music store that I could get used to it and play, but right now it feels impossible. Any suggestions?

[@ninja9856]

I haved similar "problem"....just practice hard(and don't be afraid if you can't do something right now) and try do some exercises for hand strength...

[@susiemuirhead561]

It's all a work in progress. I started playing bass in November and have small hands too. The 1 finger per fret is hard for me too sometimes I have to shift over a bit from 3rd fret to 4th fret. It takes a while to get used to positioning my left hand on the fretboard. Sometimes it looks like I'm trying to hold up the entire neck. I just invested in a short scale. The full scale was too wide for my small hand.

[@nathanhunt9105]

I often feel like my hands are too small to play bass, but I'm trying anyway. How far do I really need to be able to stretch to be able to play well? Edit: Highlighting the comment doesn't do me much good if I don't get an answer.

[@bassmanjura]

try short scale bass.... its great!

[@susiemuirhead561]

@@bassmanjura I just bought a short scale and it's great! Good advice. My hands are small too.

[@susiemuirhead561]

My hands are small too and I have just started to play in November. I bought a short scale bass. I found the full scale too wide for my hand. My only challenges are getting my pinky to reach the E string and finger stretch over 4 frets. Are you learning with a teacher or are you trying to teach yourself? I am doing once a week with a teacher (face to face) but due to COVID we are doing over Zoom. I will also be supplementing with some online bass courses.

[@TinoB20]

Scott, i wanna be just like you when i grow up :D

[@TorTheWeirdo]

How do you keep all the fingers of your left hand on the neck when you play? When I press on on fret board with on finger all of my other fingers go up. I’m not sure how to explain it but it’s like when I press on one not the rest of my fingers want to move so that I wont be playing any other notes. I wish I could insert a picture

[@baktitamas]

Search for "flying fingers" at the channel. There's a video about it by Scott.

[@captainkoo]

Is it Ok to occasionally rest my right thumb on the E string, or is this considered "poor" technique??

[@HeartAblaze96]

maybe a little late now but its fine to do so if youre not playing any note on the E string. it helps you anchor yourself. others prefer to anchor themselves over the pick ups but since many basses have pick ups in different spots it might be worth anchoring your thumb on the E string. however if youre playing some notes on the E string, let your fingers float but use the thumb print part of the thumb as a back board when playing the string, hope this isnt confusing

thx

[@maximiliano1761]

I was trying to play fear of the dark by iron maiden on rocksmith. That song has a lot of barre chords throughout. What is an appropriate left hand position there.

[@sweliam1]

Maximiliano you don't play barrè chords on bass.

[@Trollface096]

Pretty sure he meant power chords

[@maximiliano1761]

sweliam1 I meant power chords.

[@sweliam1]

Maximiliano Oh, ok.

[@MrUnodeaca]

Strap Height kzbin.info/www/bejne/o6LbZnWorpeUj6c

[@yourright4833]

thanks

[@jeremydobbs9308]

I usually play with a pick, though not always. I see you don't even address this in your videos (that I've seen so far). Is there a reason for this?

[@terrancetito3949]

how to come leering class, how many months..classes...what is the price...where the place..what is the country....send me...every thing....i'm in Sri Lanka ..thanks scott

[@reigntfbc6771]

Sir can I ask something? Im a right handed bass guitarist before but i met an accident I couldn use my right hand well so I did all my everyday activities using my left hand now that Im all better... I couldnt play tha bass in right hand anymore and Im having a hard time practicing my left hand for bass... please help :((((

[@joesmith4842]

Having a hard time with the right hand. Having a hard time playing without bending the wrist, especially trying to reach the D & G strings. While the thumb is anchored.

[@UnseeingWorm]

I play with my fretting hand pretty much 99% as you're supposed to. My thumb points a bit more towards the neck but it's still pointing upwards. Still i get wrist tension and i feel sore after playing. Why does this happen?

[@NoSockChan]

well as my bass teacher always says me try ti completely relax your hand and not hold the bass with it, but hang it on the neck, holding it with two fingers. At least it helps me

[@M3S0P0T4M1C4]

Its called CTS (Carpal Tunnel Syndrome) -pressure on the median nerve from constant bending of the wrist ;)

[@olflatop]

True about the thumb, but don't tell that to Scott Thunes! His thumb lives above the neck a lot. He even uses it for fretting sometimes! I certainly wouldn't recommend anyone do that, but it was strange to see.

[@overtonefinds6385]

So that's why on jazzbasses there is that sort of ergonomic cut

[@pauloing1pauloing167]

click here to save your short lifetime on Earth 01:09 right hand 00:00 left hand

[@abrahamleiva5442]

@1:27 Scott is salt bae lollll

[@valentinegomes8991]

Please do a lesson with a Schecter Stiletto custom 6! Hahaha

[@ijustwannabefab5595]

I have small hands and I find it harc to position my left hand like that :(

[@shellac88]

fre come mai hai i guanti?

[@joemarbertyap5081]

Rescue your weakling's Charles. I know your'e hiding as a bassist professor x!

[@TheMikeall714]

I'm to fat to create a gap on my left arm....

[@XxgiangamingxX]

John Deacon is that you?

[@ungaratto93]

help me yeah much!

[@mariakoby9467]

Don’t take any bass lessons from the Guitar Center in Union Square in NYC. It’s a waste, they don’t care correcting your technique. Thanks to Scott’s, I can get it right.

[@Datdus92]

Sir, I don't have giant scoop hands.

[@richielalramnghaka7476]

intro music reminds me of The Powerpuff Girls

[@uhoh007]

Extreme right hand bends are shown by many youtube bass teachers. Please do a new version of this video to reinforce safe playing. We need to call this out, with respect. Celebrate all good sounds but today we know better about wrists.

[@laurenosuch621]

One of my cats name is George!

[@devinebass]

🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻

[@Reinhard96]

He has focal dystonia.

[@MisyeDiVre]

Ma nigga!...btw..... subscribed :D

[@ragemovies436]

What the fuck does get in the shed mean?

[@Livsie]

He has some medical problem called "focal dystonia", he explains it on his site.

[@MrBiswas123]

george............lol

[@henlofrens]

I think it's a dog. xD

[@crazyuncleduke9]

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a heavy price to pay for looking "COOL" ---Enjoy the pain when you can't twist the cap off of a "Coke" bottle. ---Enough Said???---Cheers

[@aramsimon3912]

you just talk to much !! God just play !!!!!

[@NYHENNY]

dude shut just play the bass guitar

[@Snobdude]

Scott is a great teacher!