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Standing

When standing with the bass, a correct, comfortable position is important for easy access to all areas of the fingerboard. A good position also enhances fatigue-free playing without unnecessary muscle strain or back pain without inhibiting circulation of air and blood flow.

  • Stand with your feet comfortably apart, approximately shoulder-width.

  • Place the spike/endpin of the bass in front of your left foot, approximately shoulder-width away.

  • Place the top back corner of the bass in your left groin at a 45-degree angle.

  • Place the pad of your left-hand thumb at the back of the bass neck. The instrument should have a tendency to fall slowly backward, to your left, being supported only by the thumb with no right hand involved.

  • It should not drift to your right and onto your stomach.

  • The correct height of the bass can be determined by glancing to your left at the nut which should be slightly above eye height. Your shoulder should be slightly higher than the center of the instrument's neck.

  • If necessary, adjust the spike/endpin accordingly.

IMPORTANT: A bass that stands too high prevents adequate blood circulation in the left arm. Also, the left trapezius (shoulder muscle) becomes strained when playing in low positions.

             

Sitting

For longer sessions, a comfortable seated position is recommended. You will need a stool with four or more legs (for safety), preferably a back rest, a height-adjustable padded seat, as well as a foot rest.

  • The height of the seat should be just under your buttocks' standing height.

  • Sit down and set up the bass similar to standing position.

  • Rest your left foot on the stool's footrest.

  • Bring the bass toward your body and rest the back of the instrument against the inside of your left knee.

  • This position fully supports the bass without the use of either hand.

                  

Please note that no position is ideal, especially for long playing sessions. All positions have advantages and disadvantages and I therefore recommend you adopt the best possible position for the situation according to your own observations and experiments.

 

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