How to maintain classical position when standing?

[Recover9720]

I've been trying to adapt to the classical position for months and now it is my favorite position to play. But there are some problems I could not solve on my own.

Whenever I play my bass I have to push it with my forearm to make its shape. I know it could be really bad, especially with CTS, but it keeps falling if I don't contact my forearm. I could handle the pain for long time but I think it's time to change the wrong habit. I begin to feel some pain when playing complex and fast lines.

The ideal position for me is like Alex Webster(Cannibal) and Insanedeathmachine(Youtube). It could be the magic of spector, but if you see them playing, they keep really high angle of bass without putting their forearm on it even when they are standing. That is what I want to get.

My bass is Modulus Q6 and I tried various straps and lengths to maintain the position without anchoring it with my forearm but that one is really hard to achieve. My Modulus is keep falling its neck without my forearm. I wear the strap really high, almost 33.5''.

Is there something I am missing? or tricks that make that position stable? Your suggestion will be a great help in making me a better player. Thank you.

 

[Malcolm35]

Not sure about classical position other than what is used in classical guitar. That said i stopped having problems when I had the bass high on my chest. Same position sitting or standing.

While sitting strap in, now stand up.....

Hope that helped.

 

[Old Garage-Bander]

I've been trying to adapt to the classical position for months and now it is my favorite position to play. But there are some problems I could not solve on my own.

Whenever I play my bass I have to push it with my forearm to make its shape. I know it could be really bad, especially with CTS, but it keeps falling if I don't contact my forearm. I could handle the pain for long time but I think it's time to change the wrong habit. I begin to feel some pain when playing complex and fast lines.

The ideal position for me is like Alex Webster(Cannibal) and Insanedeathmachine(Youtube). It could be the magic of spector, but if you see them playing, they keep really high angle of bass without putting their forearm on it even when they are standing. That is what I want to get.

My bass is Modulus Q6 and I tried various straps and lengths to maintain the position without anchoring it with my forearm but that one is really hard to achieve. My Modulus is keep falling its neck without my forearm. I wear the strap really high, almost 33.5''.

Is there something I am missing? or tricks that make that position stable? Your suggestion will be a great help in making me a better player. Thank you.

I don't know that copying someone else's "position" is the best way to go. What works for one person may be all wrong for another. There are stories about playing styles (and positions, I'm sure) that come about from the individual having to overcome a physical issue. Playing position can even change for the same person as they improve, or as they age.
Above all, you need to be comfortable, and play in a manner best suited to you. How-to lessons are only to give you the basics. You need to adjust from there.
As a golf analogy... Tiger Woods has changed how he swings his clubs several times. In his younger years he did it to improve his game. More recently, he has to adapt to being older and having been in an accident where he almost needed to have one leg amputated. When Tiger does a golf lesson book or video, it's always about "How I Play Golf." Not, How To Play Golf.

 

[bassGtar]

I have the same problem. I’m most comfortable with the bass at a steep angle. I’ve got a jazz bass which with a neck that wants to dive a bit. I tried hanging fishing weights off the end of the strap, but that gave me sore neck and shoulder muscles after one day. It may be that a headless bass is the answer, but I won’t buy one without trying it out first. For the time being, I’m playing seated. Hope you get some suggestions.

 

[TomB]

I’m not sure what you have for tuners on that Modulus, but it sounds like a “neck-dive” problem. I doubt you want to increase body weight since 6’s are pretty heavy to begin with, but lighter tuners can make a significant difference, and even cure some neck dive issues. Also, the location of the top strap mount can be an issue. What fret number is aligned with your upper bout strap pin? Before you start hardware changes, you’ll find lots of position advice with a search of the site.

 

[winston]

For me maintaining similar "classical" position both seated and standing is essential so I can keep straight wrists and not aggravate any old injuries. With this as the guiding principle I find myself focusing on well-balanced instruments, those that can't stay in one position hands-free on a strap don't make the cut. Also it moves me toward lighter instruments as my shoulder (not my leg) is holding the bass' weight when I'm sitting down. And as @TomB mentioned, upper strap peg location is key, generally locations much above the 12th fret lead to neck-heaviness.

I use 2 part leather straps from Levy's - the kind with 3-4" shoulder strap, then the thinner part you thread through to connect to the bridge strap button. For neck-heavy basses I've had some luck guiding the thinner part of the strap to come over the bass body (rather then behind it) to hold the neck at a certain angle - but that's not a permanent fix.

 

[Vinny_G]

I started music with the classical guitar so I understand you perfectly. My answer: it is not possible, because they are not the same instruments. I had to train for a long time to play on the right leg (for a right-handed person) to be comfortable in a standing position. I think there is no escape or shortcut to this question. You're going to have to work standing up as much as possible, I think. I'm sure it will come quickly when you find the right balance.

 

[Recover9720]

Here is more info about my gear. My strap is Gruvgear Duo Strap and Modulus has its horn in the 12th fret. I found Alex Webster used Modulus (his Modulus is Q5) and he plays off-forearm in the live with it. Well... I've got to find my own perfect position although I'm not sure how to straighten my wrist with my bass stick to my body(+steep angle). Thanks for all advice. That position consideration is such a big pain indeed.

 

[WillyW]

Standing Classical position for me is fingers parallel to the frets as much as possible (if I have them).

This means I slide the instrument on the strap often to maintain hand position.

It helps immensely with hand comfort and has the added benefit of easier intonation on fretless.

I prefer the pleather/vinyl backed Ace type straps because they slide easily.

 

[TomB]

Standing Classical position for me is fingers parallel to the frets as much as possible (if I have them).

This means I slide the instrument on the strap often to maintain hand position.

It helps immensely with hand comfort and has the added benefit of easier intonation on fretless.

I prefer the pleather/vinyl backed Ace type straps because they slide easily.

Slippery straps are fine if your guitar balances well. If not, and if it’s headstock-heavy, they increase the stress on your fretting hand to hold it upright. This can lead to all kinds of issues on longer gigs. “Stickier” straps put more of the chore on your shoulder, less on your arm. …not a great solution vs fixing the balance, but they can help avoid arm pain and hand cramping, etc.

 

[Lobster11]

I wear the strap really high, almost 33.5''.

I don't quite understand this, but if what you mean is that you wear the bass very high (i.e., with a short strap) I think that's your problem. I looked at a bunch of pics of the players you mentioned, and they do not wear the bass especially high. I'd suggest lengthening the strap and letting the body sit down on your hip like these guys. This will be better for keeping both wrists straight, and the bass will balance better.

 

[Recover9720]

I don't quite understand this, but if what you mean is that you wear the bass very high (i.e., with a short strap) I think that's your problem. I looked at a bunch of pics of the players you mentioned, and they do not wear the bass especially high. I'd suggest lengthening the strap and letting the body sit down on your hip like these guys. This will be better for keeping both wrists straight, and the bass will balance better.

That could be another good way to fix my position! I've got to try different lengths and experiment more with it. Tried to apply their style to mine but it seems it is an impossible desire to achieve.

 

[Lobster11]

That could be another good way to fix my position! I've got to try different lengths and experiment more with it. Tried to apply their style to mine but it seems it is an impossible desire to achieve.

I'm sure that with a a little experimentation (and patience) you'll be able to find a combination of neck angle and strap length that will cause the bass to balance naturally so you don't have to do anything to keep it from moving. That "magic combination" is probably close to what those bassists your cited do, though it might not be identical because different basses balance differently. Good luck, and be sure to report back on how it goes.

 

[longfinger]

Here is more info about my gear. My strap is Gruvgear Duo Strap and Modulus has its horn in the 12th fret. I found Alex Webster used Modulus (his Modulus is Q5) and he plays off-forearm in the live with it. Well... I've got to find my own perfect position although I'm not sure how to straighten my wrist with my bass stick to my body(+steep angle). Thanks for all advice. That position consideration is such a big pain indeed.

Do you have any photos or videos of you playing? It will help us more than text on a page.
From the text, have you tried keeping the strap on the front lower side of the bass to put pressure there instead of your right forearm? (On a Jazz bass the strap will slide off because of the curve, but on a bass with a flatfish top it might stay there.)

Main thing though is your body ergonomics. Straight wrists, balanced spine, relaxed muscles, using gravity to help, etc. The usuals...

 

[J Wilson]

The short answer is get a six that's NOT neck heavy.

 

[Recover9720]

Do you have any photos or videos of you playing? It will help us more than text on a page.
From the text, have you tried keeping the strap on the front lower side of the bass to put pressure there instead of your right forearm? (On a Jazz bass the strap will slide off because of the curve, but on a bass with a flatfish top it might stay there.)

Main thing though is your body ergonomics. Straight wrists, balanced spine, relaxed muscles, using gravity to help, etc. The usuals...

Thank you for your kind suggestions! Posted my pics below with not letting the forearm and putting the forearm. I have been experimenting with my positions and that is my current best position. I cleared my disturbing ideas and thought about my ideal playing direction.

First of all, I need to play all frets of my bass without any hardship because I play vast genres from metal to jazz solo. If I play it too low, playing in low-b and upper frets are problematic. Also, because there are some lines that use vast finger stretches, I adapted the classical position for playing those lines with less tension in my left hand.

Second, I feel comfortable when my bass sticks to my body, and I can control the body not letting it fly freely. I know it is already steep without my forearm but I like that more vertical angle with the forearm personally. Playing in lower frets is a little bit hard but I don't play in low frets that often. Luckily, I can slap with that angle. Tried to play with not putting the forearm, but it has been diving in any strap length I can play with no hardship.

Lastly, I started wearing wristbands on both hands to reduce the pain in my forearm. It has been only a few days but I don't feel much pain than before. My plucking speed became slower (maybe due to the tension of the wristbands) but I can practice increasing the speed. Also, I tried other straps but only that duo strap can relieve the weight.

I think I might stick to that position unless other problems occur. I like the tone with that position and playability. There are some problems with that position but I think they are manageable. Hope that position does not put too much pressure on my wrist.

 

[Snert]

My bass is Modulus Q6 and I tried various straps and lengths to maintain the position without anchoring it with my forearm but that one is really hard to achieve. My Modulus is keep falling its neck without my forearm. I wear the strap really high, almost 33.5''.

I can't do it with any of my 6s, but it's a breeze with my Steinberger XL2 or Spirit 5 (plus strap pin extender). I wish someone made a 6 in the same form factor so I could use it the same.

Best compromise I've found so far is to use an ergo kneeling chair, but even that's not perfect. I have some other ideas and I'll post if they work.

 

[Watchootognbout]

I use "classical"position when I sit.
The strap is short enough that my bass is propped between both legs and the upper horn is against my chest.

I sit on the very edge of the chair so that the bass's lower bout is over air.

When I stand the neck is at the same angle as when I sit.In the same place in front of me.
No dive.
Unsupported.


I also use the Comfort Strapp for my sixers.

Of course you can also do this.