Spike Vincent Posted January 12, 2014 Share Posted January 12, 2014 In total contrast to my excessive strap length issues, I now find myself contemplating a gig where I will be sitting down playing.The problem is......I can't play sitting down. I get numb leg and pins and needles within minutes.Any handy hints on how to avoid this would be welcome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alyctes Posted January 12, 2014 Share Posted January 12, 2014 Is there any way of not sitting down for the gig? Nowhere where you can stand without looking out of place? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JapanAxe Posted January 12, 2014 Share Posted January 12, 2014 How are you sitting? By which I mean height of seat, back supported or not, legs crossed, angle of bass... In fact get someone to take a photo of you playing bass sitting down, then post it here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassTractor Posted January 12, 2014 Share Posted January 12, 2014 There exists an incredibly effective stretching technique that we teach sea kayak paddlers, as numb leg and pins&needles are life threatening to them. Could you PM me so I remember to try and find a drawing or a good description of it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted January 12, 2014 Share Posted January 12, 2014 Half-sit, half-lean against a tall stool? [size=4]Or get a seat-stick with a rubber ferrule.[/size] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassman Sam Posted January 13, 2014 Share Posted January 13, 2014 [quote name='discreet' timestamp='1389570982' post='2335759'] Half-sit, half-lean against a tall stool? [/quote] Tried that, the smell was awful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted January 13, 2014 Share Posted January 13, 2014 [quote name='Bassman Sam' timestamp='1389571302' post='2335761'] Tried that, the smell was awful. [/quote] I don't want to meet anyone who can do a stool tall enough to lean against. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spike Vincent Posted January 13, 2014 Author Share Posted January 13, 2014 Sitting up, back straight,right leg back, left leg forward,bass (Precision) on the left leg. I should remind everyone I play left handed so you normal folk will have to reverse that.It's a fairly genteel pub type of thing (doing a few numbers with my Folky mate). It could just be I'm not used to playing sitting down.I could take the easy option and stand or lean, but I will look a bit out of place.Would one of those little foot rest thingys help? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spike Vincent Posted January 13, 2014 Author Share Posted January 13, 2014 [quote name='Bassman Sam' timestamp='1389571302' post='2335761'] Tried that, the smell was awful. [/quote] You, Sir, are my new Hero. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassman Sam Posted January 13, 2014 Share Posted January 13, 2014 [size=4] [/size] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alyctes Posted January 13, 2014 Share Posted January 13, 2014 (edited) Play an upright? Maybe not possible, but it seemed worth a post Edited January 13, 2014 by alyctes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uncle psychosis Posted January 13, 2014 Share Posted January 13, 2014 Assuming it's the weight of the bass on your leg that is the issue can you assist your strap so that it doesn't rest on your leg at all? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KingBollock Posted January 13, 2014 Share Posted January 13, 2014 Dunno if this will help... I only ever play sitting down anymore, since I don't play in a band. I play with my bass on a strap and hanging [i]between[/i] my legs, it doesn't rest on either leg, and I have the neck angled up, sort of how classical guitarists do. I find the bass sits in a natural position, and if I ever do decide to stand up it remains in exactly the same place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RhysP Posted January 13, 2014 Share Posted January 13, 2014 Lie down - you'll be in effectively the same position as standing up, only lower. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SlapbassSteve Posted January 13, 2014 Share Posted January 13, 2014 [quote name='uncle psychosis' timestamp='1389572760' post='2335783'] Assuming it's the weight of the bass on your leg that is the issue can you assist your strap so that it doesn't rest on your leg at all? [/quote] This, or at least until enough weight is carried by the strap that it doesn't cause discomfort. Or maybe try a lighter bass? I've been playing U-Basses a lot lately and you don't even notice you're holding them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iconic Posted January 13, 2014 Share Posted January 13, 2014 [quote name='RhysP' timestamp='1389572961' post='2335786'] Lie down - you'll be in effectively the same position as standing up, only lower. [/quote] good enough for james jamerson ....a few drinks to help the pose even better! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grangur Posted January 13, 2014 Share Posted January 13, 2014 Ask Jimmy Lloyd Rea... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=91YxOSLaZhE Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grangur Posted January 13, 2014 Share Posted January 13, 2014 Jimmy Lloyd Rea was the bass player for Johnny Lee Hooker and is in the Blues Hall of Fame. He lost the use of his legs as a youngster he did tell me once in an email, but I can't find it now. In any case he seems to play with the bass resting just above his knee, some way from his body, but this could be due to his other bulk - a problem which I hope you wont have. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spike Vincent Posted January 13, 2014 Author Share Posted January 13, 2014 [quote name='uncle psychosis' timestamp='1389572760' post='2335783'] Assuming it's the weight of the bass on your leg that is the issue can you assist your strap so that it doesn't rest on your leg at all? [/quote] It does seem to be the weight of the bass on my leg,I've switched from a 78 Fender to a Tokai which is much lighter. Must admit I hadn't even considered using a strap at all......I'll give that a go, if I can find a strap short enough. Thanks all Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CamdenRob Posted January 13, 2014 Share Posted January 13, 2014 I struggle with this as well... Doesn't feel comfortable at all to me playing sitting down, my wrist seems to be at too steep an angle over the top of the bass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jus Lukin Posted January 13, 2014 Share Posted January 13, 2014 (edited) - Edited February 19, 2022 by Jus Lukin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lowdown Posted January 13, 2014 Share Posted January 13, 2014 (edited) [quote name='KingBollock' timestamp='1389572774' post='2335784'] I play with my bass on a strap and hanging [i]between[/i] my legs, it doesn't rest on either leg, [/quote] I see....So it rests on your KingBollock ? [size=4] [/size] Edited January 13, 2014 by lowdown Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uncle psychosis Posted January 13, 2014 Share Posted January 13, 2014 [quote name='Spike Vincent' timestamp='1389608207' post='2335949'] It does seem to be the weight of the bass on my leg,I've switched from a 78 Fender to a Tokai which is much lighter. Must admit I hadn't even considered using a strap at all......I'll give that a go, if I can find a strap short enough. Thanks all [/quote] I always find playing with a strap easier even if I am sitting down. Without one I always feel like the bass wants to run away from me, using a strap frees me to concentrate on just playing the damn thing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RandomBass Posted January 13, 2014 Share Posted January 13, 2014 [quote name='Bassman Sam' timestamp='1389571302' post='2335761'] Tried that, the smell was awful. [/quote] Quote of the week award :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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