Bass players who take their hand off the neck

[PaulWarning]

is it just me or does anybody else find it irritating when bassists take their hand off the neck when playing an open string, usually with a 'look at me aren't I clever' look on their faces? when it's exactly the opposite to being clever.

[FinnDave]

Probably a chance to stretch their arms, let the muscles relax for a moment

 

[Guest oZZma]

12 minutes ago, PaulWarning said:

is it just me or does anybody else find it irritating when bassists take their hand off the neck when playing an open string, usually with a 'look at me aren't I clever' look on their faces? when it's exactly the opposite to being clever.

 trying hard to be cool.

[spike]

I love doing this, why do you find it irritating?

[kyuuga]

What's the issue? As long as the other strings were properly muted before and they aren't ringing, I don't see a problem...when you play music live you're there to also entertain people and acting performance is one of the ways to do it.

(obviously as long as it isn't exaggerated and cringy)

[josie]

32 minutes ago, FinnDave said:

Probably a chance to stretch their arms, let the muscles relax for a moment

That's why I do it. 

[Owen]

34 minutes ago, oZZma said:

 trying hard to be cool.

We NEVER have to try to be cool.  

[Linus27]

7 minutes ago, josie said:

That's why I do it. 

Yeah, same with me.

[Guest oZZma]

1 minute ago, owen said:

We NEVER have to try to be cool.  

Better not, most often results in being cringeworthy

[josie]

6 minutes ago, owen said:

We NEVER have to try to be cool.  

We're cooler the less we try imho. Just get up and play bass. Coolest thing in the world 🙂 

[Chiliwailer]

Well you know, it’s better than bassists doing this.... 

 

Edited February 2, 2019 by Chiliwailer

[Baxlin]

51 minutes ago, FinnDave said:

Probably a chance to stretch their arms, let the muscles relax for a moment

 

Or in my case, to ease the arthritis in my left hand (that’s already stopped me playing my 12-string guitar)

[thebrig]

1 minute ago, Baxlin said:

Or in my case, to ease the arthritis in my left hand (that’s already stopped me playing my 12-string guitar)

Exactly this with me, arthritis in my hands so it helps to drop my hand and let it rest a bit, and besides, it's usually only for a few seconds.

I also suffer from shoulder problems, so again, it helps to ease the pain.

Why do some people stop and have a rest when they are walking? there's usually a reason why they do.

[KiOgon]

How else are you going to grab a bite of your pasty/pie/fish & chips if you don't let go now and then? 😃

[bartelby]

how else do you have a swig of beer mid song?😬

[stingrayPete1977]

When playing Snow Patrol I play open A,  open D and get a member of the audience to press the Ab down on the E string! I've also played it left handed all the way through just to make it slightly more exciting. 

[Mickeyboro]

5 minutes ago, stingrayPete1977 said:

When playing Snow Patrol I play open A,  open D and get a member of the audience to press the Ab down on the E string! I've also played it left handed all the way through just to make it slightly more exciting. 

I admire you. I have never managed to make snow patrol anything but abjectly boring...😩

[lurksalot]

30 minutes ago, KiOgon said:

How else are you going to grab a bite of your pasty/pie/fish & chips if you don't let go now and then? 😃

OH now that is uncool 

 

The left hand should be hammering on , pasties, pies and chips are right hand food   

[Mickeyboro]

Mushy peas on the fretboard is not a good look...

[spectoremg]

In your pipe and smoke it. 

[stewblack]

God - you'd hate to watch me. I'm always taking my hand off, flipping the guitar over, throwing it around, lifting it up. No there's no need, yes it makes me interesting/fun/cringey to watch (delete according to preference). But I promise you this I only do it because I'm into the music and I cannot stand or sit still while I'm playing.

Obviously being the bass player I have a duty and resonsibility to be the coolest person in the band - I know that, but that doesn't prevent me from being a showman.

[stingrayPete1977]

21 minutes ago, Mickeyboro said:

I admire you. I have never managed to make snow patrol anything but abjectly boring...😩

It didn't work unfortunately! 

[peteb]

20 minutes ago, stewblack said:

God - you'd hate to watch me. I'm always taking my hand off, flipping the guitar over, throwing it around, lifting it up. No there's no need, yes it makes me interesting/fun/cringey to watch (delete according to preference). But I promise you this I only do it because I'm into the music and I cannot stand or sit still while I'm playing.

Obviously being the bass player I have a duty and resonsibility to be the coolest person in the band - I know that, but that doesn't prevent me from being a showman.

Pretty much what I was going to say! FFS what an inane topic for a thread...

[Lozz196]

I think I was guilty of doing this until my brief period of playing Thunderbird basses. The neck dive into my pints cured me.

[Linus27]

To take a photo of your guitarist obviously 😂