Funky Dunky Posted September 28, 2015 Posted September 28, 2015 (edited) Why can't I do it? Sitting down, I can jam through some Rush, Chili Peppers, Jamiroquai, Chic and even a couple of Level 42 songs. Standing up? I can barely play along with a Nirvana song without slopping it up. I'm thinking it must be something to do with hand position, but my instrument is at the same position as it is when I sit down. What on earth could the problem be? I can't get any speed or control in my plucking, can't get the nice ticklish light touch I use for fast playing. If I raise the bass up to a position where it's so high I could pluck with my tongue, I do a little better, but my left hand is suddenly in an uncomfortable position where I can't get freedom of movement. Edited September 28, 2015 by Funky Dunky Quote
CamdenRob Posted September 28, 2015 Posted September 28, 2015 I'm the opposite... I find it much more comfortable playing standing up Quote
FuNkShUi Posted September 28, 2015 Posted September 28, 2015 I used to be the same. But i used to try to play it in a position i thought looked "cool". Placed it at the height to mimic where it would be if i were sitting down, and i dont have a problem anymore. Do you notice if you sometimes tilt it back towards you when sitting down? So you can inadvertently see the fretboard? When your standing up this doesn't happen, so is it this you're struggling with? Could it be something to do with the angle you have it at when sitting down? What leg do you rest it on? I ask, because if you're right handed, but rest it on your left knee ( a kind of classical trait i'd say), it'd be tilted at a harsher angle than when you are standing up. Quote
discreet Posted September 28, 2015 Posted September 28, 2015 Practise and more practise. Remember, bass players do it standing up with a strap-on... Quote
JellyKnees Posted September 28, 2015 Posted September 28, 2015 [quote name='discreet' timestamp='1443451198' post='2874788'] Practise and more practise. Remember, bass players do it standing up with a strap-on... [/quote] I prefer a nice thick one myself. Fnarr fnarr, yuk yuk etc.... Quote
Dad3353 Posted September 28, 2015 Posted September 28, 2015 [quote name='discreet' timestamp='1443451198' post='2874788'] Practise and more practise. Remember, bass players do it standing up with a strap-on... [/quote] That's not actually written down anywhere; there's no fundamental reason for not playing on stage seated; lots of musicians do so. Some drummers, even, or so I'm told. Quote
cameltoe Posted September 28, 2015 Posted September 28, 2015 Ensure the bass is at the same height stood up as sat down. Also, take a look at how the bass balances on your leg when sat down. Do the cutaways change how the bass balances, i.e neck heavy when stood up but fine sat down or vice versa? Quote
BILL POSTERS Posted September 28, 2015 Posted September 28, 2015 Drink less beer ? Seriously though, try practicing standing up, but with a mirror in front of you. Quote
CamdenRob Posted September 28, 2015 Posted September 28, 2015 [quote name='BILL POSTERS' timestamp='1443453227' post='2874814'] ... try practicing standing up, but with a mirror in front of you. [/quote] This gives you the added bonus of being able to try out your dance moves before unleashing them on the public... Quote
Bilbo Posted September 28, 2015 Posted September 28, 2015 Practice the material the way you will be playing it, be that standing or sitting. Anthony Jackson has always played sitting down and, if I am not mistaken, without as strap. Works for his gigs although I can't see it working for the Red Hot Chilli Peppers!! Quote
discreet Posted September 28, 2015 Posted September 28, 2015 [quote name='Bilbo' timestamp='1443453677' post='2874823']I can't see it working for the Red Hot Chilli Peppers!! [/quote] Well I'm not going on stage wearing just a sock. Quote
Marvin Posted September 28, 2015 Posted September 28, 2015 [quote name='discreet' timestamp='1443454065' post='2874833'] Well I'm not going on stage wearing just a sock. [/quote] I do, one on each foot... Quote
BigRedX Posted September 28, 2015 Posted September 28, 2015 [quote name='Bilbo' timestamp='1443453677' post='2874823'] Practice the material the way you will be playing it, be that standing or sitting. [/quote] This. If you're just a bedroom player then it probably doesn't matter if you can't play standing up. If you intend to play live standing up then that's how you need to practice. You could arrange your strap so the instrument is at the same height whether you are sitting or standing. However you need to check your overall body posture, you may be hunched over or in some other position that can't be replicated standing. If you need to be able to play standing up you need to stop practicing when sitting down. Otherwise it doesn't really matter. Quote
Norris Posted September 28, 2015 Posted September 28, 2015 Do you hunch over your bass when sitting? Maybe try sitting up straight as an intermediate step to full standing Quote
BILL POSTERS Posted September 28, 2015 Posted September 28, 2015 (edited) [quote name='CamdenRob' timestamp='1443453459' post='2874817'] This gives you the added bonus of being able to try out your dance moves before unleashing them on the public... [/quote] Jet Harris' secret... Also helps you learn not to keep looking at hour hands on stage. And less beer, means a flatter belly, so the bass will not be tilted outwards at the top when you stand up. Edited September 28, 2015 by BILL POSTERS Quote
KevB Posted September 28, 2015 Posted September 28, 2015 (edited) I seem to be able to get away with sitting down to practice but stand up for gigs, doesn't usually bother me. The bass is pretty much in the same position either way though which helps. I practice more standing up at the moment because I've started using midi pedals again and always play those standing. You cant really play them seated and play bass even though they are originally designed to be played sitting down by a keys player! Of course there will be some youtube clip somewhere of someone doing Rush stuff whilst sitting down! Edited September 28, 2015 by KevB Quote
BigRedX Posted September 28, 2015 Posted September 28, 2015 [quote name='BILL POSTERS' timestamp='1443456917' post='2874862'] Also helps you learn not to keep looking at hour hands on stage. [/quote] IME it doesn't help at all. Back in the 90s my band of the time used to rehearse at a studio where all of one wall was a giant mirror. I got really good at being able to play looking forward rather than down at my hands. Until we came to do our first gig and then realised I been looking at my hands in the mirror and without it was back to looking down at them again. Quote
lowhand_mike Posted September 28, 2015 Posted September 28, 2015 i play standing up and practice the same way, i find it hard to play sitting down as the bass is too close, i like to have it just above waist level as i have long arms. tried playing looking in the mirror and apart from it being traumatic it just threw me Quote
BILL POSTERS Posted September 28, 2015 Posted September 28, 2015 [quote name='lowhand_mike' timestamp='1443458617' post='2874880'] tried playing looking in the mirror and apart from it being traumatic it just threw me [/quote] You have to practice practicing Quote
lowhand_mike Posted September 28, 2015 Posted September 28, 2015 (edited) [quote name='BILL POSTERS' timestamp='1443459474' post='2874893'] You have to practice practicing [/quote] blimey i dont get time for practicing let alone practicing practicing Edited September 28, 2015 by lowhand_mike Quote
Funky Dunky Posted September 28, 2015 Author Posted September 28, 2015 Funkshui has pretty much nailed it. I don't have it horizontal when seated, it is defenitely at more of angle, and it's hard to replicate that when standing. Quote
TrevorR Posted September 28, 2015 Posted September 28, 2015 [quote name='JellyKnees' timestamp='1443451632' post='2874794'] I prefer a nice thick one myself. Fnarr fnarr, yuk yuk etc.... [/quote] Mine's four inches wide. That's how I like it! Oo-er Matron... Quote
darren Posted September 28, 2015 Posted September 28, 2015 [quote name='discreet' timestamp='1443451198' post='2874788'] Practise and more practise. Remember, bass players do it standing up with a strap-on... [/quote] and they do it deeper. Drummers bang harder of course. Quote
discreet Posted September 28, 2015 Posted September 28, 2015 [quote name='BILL POSTERS' timestamp='1443456917' post='2874862'] Also helps you learn not to keep looking at hour hands on stage. [/quote] I don't look at hour hands on stage, I'm usually counting the bloody seconds!! Quote
blue Posted September 28, 2015 Posted September 28, 2015 [quote name='BILL POSTERS' timestamp='1443453227' post='2874814'] Drink less beer ? Seriously though, try practicing standing up, but with a mirror in front of you. [/quote] Agreed, It's something I learned a long time ago. Invest some stand up time into your practice routine. It's much harder to play standing up than sitting down. Blue Quote
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